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Edited on Fri May-09-08 10:38 AM by Nihil
> Long term effects of iron fertilization are still unknown
+
> As simple and attractive as this might look, ocean fertilization still
> poses many questions and uncertain effects, especially at a large scale.
+
> Oceans are uncontrollable, sequestration results are not easily
> verifiable, and unintended tangential consequences are likely.
+
> He (Martin) half jested Give me half a tanker of iron, and I will give
> you the next ice age
+
> Enrichment procedures were modified between IronEx I and IronEx II after
> initial failures to show an ability to significantly affect greenhouse
> gases, despite increased phytoplankton abundance and production.
+
> This change in procedure still increased plankton and diatom abundance
> and productivity, but also decreased nitrate concentrations.
+
> The long-term effect of the shift in community composition is
> still unknown.
+
> Models have predicted several possible unpleasant unintended results
> of iron fertilization. Long-term increased productivity resulting from
> iron enrichment could lead to deep ocean anoxia and marine life hypoxia.
+
> Similarly, anoxia often results from algal blooms in coastal waters after
> eutrophication from agrochemical runoff.
+
> Iron enrichment of our oceans purposefully alters the ecology of an
> uncontrollable environment.
+
> Current methods of iron enrichment do not emulate natural iron
> deposition either chemically or in time-scale.
+
> Despite these successes, shifts in plankton communities and lack of
> conclusive evidence relating to atmospheric gases leave concerns regarding
> other consequences, as well as long-term effectiveness at mitigating
> global warming.
+
> Moreover, the increased detritus and marine snow affecting the biological
> pump could shift microorganism community structure, ultimately changing
> oxygen levels in the ocean.
+ (possibly my favourite admission of all)
> Furthermore, such microorganisms may produce other greenhouse and climate
> related gases such as nitrous oxide, methane, or dimethylsulfide, which
> may offset the intended results.
i.e., after all the blind fucking around in the pursuit of greed, the
hoped-for benefits might not even provide a significant benefit.
Shove your pompous opinion up your pompous arse.
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