Researchers from the University of Florida have discovered certain bacteria on the ocean floor could neutralize massive quantities of industrial carbon dioxide.
Because carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activity, is a key culprit in climate change, scientists from a variety of disciplines have been searching for ways to effectively capture and neutralize the gas.
The UF researchers discovered that an enzyme produced by the bacteria Thiomicrospira crunogena, can convert the harmful gas into a benign compound. The enzyme carbonic anhydrase can actually strip carbon dioxide from organisms, the researchers say.
(Score: 5, Informative) by deimtee on Monday October 26 2015, @03:16PM
bicarbonate is a negative ion. You need to balance it with a cation - typically sodium or calcium. (baking soda and chalk respectively)
These are not found uncombined in nature, and the most likely source is from the sea.
Sequestering calcium or sodium bicarbonate is going to leave behind chloride ions, most likely as hydrochloric acid.
So what they are proposing is acidifying the ocean. Isn't that already a problem?
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.