The oceans are losing oxygen at an alarming rate, threatening marine life and ecosystems. But an unexpected solution could come from the production of green hydrogen. Scientists are now exploring how the oxygen generated during this process could be used to revitalize ocean dead zones.
Loss of oxygen in the oceans: a growing problem
Since the 1950s, the oceans have lost about 2% of their oxygen, and this figure could reach 4% by the end of the century. The causes are multiple:
The consequences for marine life can be devastating. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where the dead zone has increased almost sevenfold since 2003 to approximately 9,000 square kilometers, declining oxygen levels are already affecting many commercially important and threatened species, such as cod, halibut and northern shrimp.
Green hydrogen: an unexpected solution
Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The World Energy GH2 project in Stephenville, Canada, plans to use wind power to produce hydrogen.
According to calculations by Dr. Douglas Wallace, an oceanographer at Dalhousie University, the Stephenville plant would produce more than enough oxygen to replace what the Gulf of St. Lawrence loses each year. His experiments show that oxygen pumped into the gulf near Stephenville would reach the Rimouski dead zone within a few years.
The challenges to be met
Although the idea is promising, there are still challenges to overcome:
Despite these obstacles, Dr. Wallace thinks it's an avenue worth exploring. Small-scale, controlled pilot experiments would be necessary before embarking on a large-scale project.
The importance of innovation in the fight against climate change
Faced with the challenges of climate change and loss of biodiversity, it is crucial to explore all possible avenues. The idea of using the oxygen produced during the manufacture of green hydrogen to revitalize ocean dead zones is an example of an innovative and multidisciplinary approach.
Although green hydrogen is not a silver bullet, it could play an important role in decarbonizing certain hard-to-electrify industrial sectors, such as steel and cement production. And if, at the same time, it could help restore endangered marine ecosystems, it would be a double victory for the environment.
It is essential to continue to support research and innovation in this area, while ensuring that potential risks and benefits are carefully assessed. Only a global and coordinated approach will enable us to meet the environmental challenges we face.
As world leaders work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy, bold new ideas like this could open up unexpected opportunities. In the race against time to preserve our planet, every avenue is worth exploring, no matter how improbable it may seem at first.
SRQ Backlot