Humanity emits 40 gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. Oceans naturally absorb about a quarter of that. But they could do so much more. Around half of the surface of the earth is accounted for by oligotrophic oceans — nutrient-deprived waters able to sustain little photosynthesis, and little life.

Natural experiments in the subtropical South Pacific show that, in nitrogen-limited conditions, each atom of iron added to the water can lead to the capture of 23,000 molecules of carbon dioxide.

Researchers have long suspected that mimicking this natural process could help the ocean sustain more of the microscopic ocean plants —phytoplankton— that capture carbon dioxide, and sustain marine life in general.

Anthropocene supports research into innovative pathways aimed at leveraging these natural pathways into gigaton-scale carbon dioxide removal solutions.