PML Applications, in partnership with Carbon to Sea, have carefully developed the Environmental Impact Monitoring Framework (EIMF) over a period of several years to ensure a robust and reduced-risk method for developing ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) methods that prioritises the wider impact to the ocean and its ecosystems.

In order to develop the EIMF to be as comprehensive as possible and to consider all voices and ocean communities, key questions needed to be answered:

  • What should be measured?
  • How should risks be anticipated and monitored?
  • What evidence is needed before we move forward?

This project aimed to fill a system gap in order to provide essential guidance on how to design, evaluate, and learn from OAE research to progress trials while mitigating risk. The framework brings together, for the first time, the best available science, methods, and practitioner experience drawing from established environmental standards, government regulations, lessons from past field trials, and community best practices into a single document.

Throughout the project, Carbon to Sea facilitated many opportunities for researchers, scientists, stakeholders, and the wider community to share knowledge and voice their thoughts in order to develop the framework. Input and feedback from over 70 interview candidates, expert contributors, reviewers, workshop participants and public commenters inform this final version of the framework ensuring academia, government, private sector, and civil society input.

The project was a collaboration between PML Applications, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), and Carbon to Sea, drawing on expertise across these organisations, with contributors including Sam Fawcett (PML Applications), Tamsin Dobson (formerly PML Applications), Tim Fileman (formerly PML Applications), Tom Bell (PML), Jerry Blackford (PML), Helen Findlay (PML), Vassilis Kitidis (formerly PML), and Ricardo Torres (formerly PML).

With combined expertise from PML Applications, PML and Carbon to Sea, the EIMF seeks to offer actionable methods for risk reduction, particularly when transitioning from laboratory-based trials to real-world trials. While OAE could provide the answer to carbon storage, there is also a very real possibility that certain methods could cause other problems to the ocean ecosystem. The EIMF framework is designed to address this challenge through a staged and gated approach that prioritises how to identify, mitigate, and monitor environmental risk at every stage of testing, using the primary categories of environmental risk:

  • Shifts in pH
  • Changes in chemical speciation
  • Elevated particulates
  • Potential trace metal impurities

Using this framework, we can ensure that those conducting trials are taking accountability for monitoring the environmental impact of their OAE method and reacting accordingly. The staged and gated design of this framework ensures there are opportunities for early detection before trialling in open water, reducing unknown factors when field trials are conducted and stepping back if risks are identified.

However, combining the framework with established practices for risk-mitigation such as good experimental design, including site selection, dilution strategies, dispersal engineering and timing is essential before reaching the testing and monitoring phase.

How does the Environmental Impact Monitoring Framework work?

The main two parts of the framework firstly, introduces and contextualises the framework across research stages and scales, and secondly provides practical implementation guidance for applying the framework. This second part is designed to be combined with local regulatory guidance.

The framework is further broken down into four stages of critical analysis:

  • Planning & Preparation: to identify risks, establish conditions, and initiate community engagement
  • Methods Validation: to conduct small-scale tests and confirm dispersal and monitoring approaches behave as expected
  • Field Pilots: to expand experiments to a scale sufficient to observe meaningful biogeochemical and ecological responses
  • Continuous Dosing & Monitoring: to evaluate longer-term deployments for sustained benefits and manageable risks

Each stage checks that the system behaves as expected and the risks are fully understood and manageable, scaling up the checks in line with the level of potential risk. If the method does not pass a stage, a revised approach is needed before continuing. While this may slow progress of trials, it sets up trials for stronger long-term results. By taking it slowly during the initial stages, confidence and trust is built in the OAE method before it reaches real-world trials.

What’s next for the EIMF?

The next stage of the EIMF is over to the community of researchers working on OAE. The framework is designed to be adapted to specific methods, projects, and locations. We encourage you to continue discussions with PML Applications and Carbon to Sea on your findings when applying the EIMF.
 
View the framework
 
Contact PML Applications’ representative for the EIMF, Sam Fawcett, for information about conducting OAE trials with PML Applications, information about the framework, or to enquire about any of PML Applications’ environmental consultancy services.