A rapidly expanding industry focused on ocean-based carbon capture is taking root in Nova Scotia, with nearly 50 field trials conducted in the past four years as companies seek to harness the ocean's natural carbon-absorbing properties [1][3].

Planetary Technologies, backed by $1 million from Elon Musk's foundation, leads these efforts from Halifax Harbour, where they pump magnesium oxide into seawater to transform carbon dioxide into stable molecules [3]. The company recently announced capturing 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide through their process [1].

The industry has seen dramatic growth in carbon credit sales, jumping from 2,000 credits in 2021 to over 340,000 in 2024 [1]. However, scientists and environmental experts express concern about the rapid expansion with limited oversight.

'It's like the Wild West. Everybody is on the bandwagon, everybody wants to do something,' said Adina Paytan, an earth and ocean science professor at UC Santa Cruz [3].

Multiple approaches are being tested across global waters:

Mineral dissolution using magnesium oxide and olivineSeaweed and algae cultivation for carbon absorptionDeep-ocean storage of organic materials

Scientists acknowledge significant unknowns about long-term effects. 'We can't measure everywhere all the time,' noted Katja Fennel, chair of oceanography at Dalhousie University [1].

Local communities have shown mixed reactions. While Halifax Harbour has seen limited opposition, similar projects in Cornwall, England and Duck, North Carolina faced significant community pushback, leading to scaled-down operations [3].

The National Academies of Sciences estimates that nearly two-thirds of the world's coastline would need to be involved in kelp farming alone to impact global warming significantly [1].