As climate change becomes an increasingly pressing issue, humanity is finding new ways to combat this problem. Geoengineering is growing in popularity as a solution to slowing and preventing future global warming. By manipulating the existing processes in the environment, geoengineering. In the case of iron fertilisation, large quantities of iron are deposited in oceans in order to stimulate a bloom in phytoplankton populations; for photosynthesis to occur, iron is needed. An increase in phytoplankton populations would greatly aid the marine food chain and be successful in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
However, there is much debate whether geoengineering should be implemented. Although there is evidence to support its benefits, none of this evidence was taken from a large-scale experiment. There are many different factors that influence the controversy surrounding geoengineering. Nonetheless, due to the proven benefits of iron fertilisation, it is being seriously considered by many experts in the field. Iron fertilisation has been shown to boost …show more content…
This argument is used to oppose the assertion that they have been greatly reduced over the last century. These studies, taking place around 2000, found up to a four percent increase in phytoplankton, especially in coastal areas (Siegel).
Another argument that is frequently made when discussing iron fertilisation is that of interference and potential complete disruption of ecosystems. This could easily violate the existing environmental laws surrounding the subject of iron fertilisation in general (Parthasarathy). By fertilizing iron-deficient areas of oceans, humans would voluntarily change an ecosystem. This sudden change could favour certain species and therefore cause a species imbalance that is the cause of extinction of several
However, there is much debate whether geoengineering should be implemented. Although there is evidence to support its benefits, none of this evidence was taken from a large-scale experiment. There are many different factors that influence the controversy surrounding geoengineering. Nonetheless, due to the proven benefits of iron fertilisation, it is being seriously considered by many experts in the field. Iron fertilisation has been shown to boost …show more content…
This argument is used to oppose the assertion that they have been greatly reduced over the last century. These studies, taking place around 2000, found up to a four percent increase in phytoplankton, especially in coastal areas (Siegel).
Another argument that is frequently made when discussing iron fertilisation is that of interference and potential complete disruption of ecosystems. This could easily violate the existing environmental laws surrounding the subject of iron fertilisation in general (Parthasarathy). By fertilizing iron-deficient areas of oceans, humans would voluntarily change an ecosystem. This sudden change could favour certain species and therefore cause a species imbalance that is the cause of extinction of several