PROCESS AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY MEASURING AND QUANTIFYING CARBON DIOXIDE SEQUESTRATION FROM OCEAN IRON ENRICHMENT

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and process for measuring oceanographic parameters that may be used to create estimates of the quantity of carbon dioxide gas that is removed from the atmosphere from an Ocean Iron Enrichment event. This process uses data observations from Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, Satellite observations and/or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to determine metrics such as chlorophyll, temperature, turbidity, oxygen, particulate inorganic carbon etc. that may be used to calculate the total anthropogenic carbon dioxide that is removed from the atmosphere. Therefore, the carbon dioxide removal may be determined without requiring a manned presence in the area of study, providing a significant reduction in cost. Direct in-situ measurements of carbon flux through analysis of physical samples through the water column may be used as a verification/calibration metric using sediment traps spaced vertically in the water column from surface to the deep thermocline layer. Alternatively, water samples may be collected and used as an alternative.

Claims

1. A method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment comprises by using remote measurements of chlorophyll using a combination of remote sensing devices including satellite data, unmanned aerial and/or underwater vehicles, wherein the method comprise the steps of: a. measure a Chlorophyll concentrations from the ocean surface to the first optical depth and/or Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) concentrations from the ocean surface to the first optical depth by using remote measurements; b. obtain of Ocean Subsurface Measurements, between the Surface to 200 meters or more, specifically the measurements of Chlorophyll concentration (Chlorophyll-A) and Transmissivity or Particulate Organic Carbon which may be substituted for Chlorophyll concentration; and c. obtain physical samples of carbon transport, between the surface to 200 meters or more.

2. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 1, wherein the ocean surface Chlorophyll is remotely sensed and used to provide estimates of carbon sequestration from the ocean surface layer.

3. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 2, wherein Chlorophyll readings are obtained from the ocean surface using satellite observations of Chlorophyll-A.

4. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 2, wherein the surface carbon sequestration as particulate organic carbon from the ocean surface to the first optical depth can thereby be calculated using a C/Chl (mg/mg) ratio.

5. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 4, wherein in the absence of satellite observations, multispectral Chlorophyl observations from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) containing chlorophyll measurement equipment can be substituted for satellite observations of chlorophyll.

6. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 5, wherein the subsurface ocean Chlorophyll is used to provide estimates of carbon sequestration beneath the sea surface.

7. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 6, wherein the subsurface readings of Chlorophyl are obtained using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).

8. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 7, wherein the subsurface readings of Chlorophyl from surface to a depth of not less than 100 meters are used to provide estimates of Particulate Organic Carbon below the first optical depth of satellite observations.

9. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 7, wherein subsurface carbon sequestration as Particulate Organic Carbon is calculated using a C/Chl (mg/mg) ratio.

10. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 9, wherein total carbon sequestration is a sum of carbon sequestration from the ocean surface layer and subsurface carbon sequestration.

11. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 7, wherein a transmissometer or Particulate Organic Carbon sensing device mounted on an AUV can be used to measure Particulate Organic Carbon directly as an alternative to estimating Particulate Organic Carbon via Chlorophyll, or in combination with measurements of Chlorophyll to determine metrics for Particulate Organic Carbon.

12. The method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon dioxide sequestration from Ocean Iron Enrichment according to claim 1, wherein physical samples of vertical carbon flux may be collected within an area of interest to calibrate the information collected from the remote sensing devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method for remotely measuring and quantifying carbon, showing the main means used to collect the data according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention is related to a method and process for measuring oceanographic parameters that may be used to create estimates of the quantity of carbon dioxide gas that is removed from The atmosphere from an Ocean Iron Enrichment event.

[0017] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the data requirements for determining carbon dioxide sequestration into the open (pelagic) ocean through remote means comprise measurement of Chlorophyll concentrations from the ocean surface to the first optical depth and/or Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) concentrations from the ocean surface to the deep thermocline by using autonomous measurement instruments.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the Chlorophyll concentrations are obtained from Satellite observations of Chlorophyll-A (A). Surface carbon fixation may be estimated as Particulate Organic Carbon which is estimated using a Carbon to Chlorophyll conversion ratio (C/Chl). In the absence of satellite observations, Chlorophyll observations from an unmanned areal vehicle (UAV) or drone or any other telecontrolled means, shall be substituted.

[0019] The second step is the obtaining of Ocean Subsurface Measurements, between the Surface to 200 meters or more, specifically the measurements of Chlorophyll concentration (Chlorophyll-A). These readings will be accomplished utilizing an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) from surface to a depth of not less than 100 meters (B). This Chlorophyll measurement will used as a term in a Carbon to Chlorophyll conversion ratio (C/Chl) to determine Particulate Organic Carbon in the subsurface.

[0020] A transmissometer or Particulate Organic Carbon sensor mounted on an AUV can be used to measure Particulate Organic Carbon directly as an alternative to estimating Particulate Organic Carbon via Chlorophyll, or in combination with measurements of Chlorophyll to determine metrics for Particulate Organic Carbon.

[0021] The final step is obtaining physical samples of carbon transport, between the surface to 200 meters or more. According to the invention, the physical samples comprises sediment traps that collect vertical carbon flux physically and/or Water samples containing vertical carbon flux which may be subjected to laboratory analysis to determine carbon concentration. Finally, the satellite data an subsurface data are sent to remote facility for analysis and carbon quantification (C).

[0022] The physical samples of vertical carbon flux may be collected within the area of interest to calibrate the information collected from remote sensors as stated before.