Geo-Optimization: Identifying The Optimal Location For Marine Carbon Fixation and Sinking
A crucial part of Gigablue’s marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) technology is choosing optimal locations for deploying our substrates.
Well-selected deployment sites will ensure the safeguarding of marine ecosystems, maximize the efficiency of our substrate's carbon accumulation, and secure long-term carbon storage.
To find the optimal locations, our team follows a systematic geo-optimization process. It is a meticulous journey, guided by strict constraints and integrating a complex array of data encompassing measurements of physical, chemical, and biological conditions all year round. This method was developed internally at Gigablue and combines publicly available oceanographic data with new and proprietary data collected every time we are in the ocean.
Here’s a glimpse into some of the data types we gather and analyze.
Physical Conditions:
Wind Velocity & Direction: Impacts ocean currents and the dispersion of our substrate.
Solar Irradiation: Influences phytoplankton growth, which is vital for our process.
Ocean/Sea Surface Temperature (SST): Affects phytoplankton growth and substrate-water interactions.
Chemical Parameters:
High Nutrient (HN) Areas: Essential for efficient phytoplankton proliferation.
Ocean Salinity: A key factor influencing water column dynamics.
Biological Factors:
Low Bio-productivity Areas (Low Chl-a): Targeting areas with specific chlorophyll-a concentrations to optimize effectiveness and minimize ecological impact.
Geospatial & Regulatory Considerations:
Optimal Depths: Determined by detailed bathymetric structures.
Regulatory Compliance: Navigating Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), territorial waters, and other legal frameworks.
Conservation Zones: Avoiding Marine Protected Areas and Sensitive Environments.
This meticulous, data-driven site selection framework is the backbone of our ocean operations. As data is analyzed, a comprehensive shortlist of potential locations emerges. By comparing and ranking them, we optimize every deployment for environmental safety, substrate efficiency, and long-term impact.
The most promising locations proceed to scientific testing and permitting with local regulators and communities.
