A US company, Planktos Inc., planning to capture carbon by dumping iron filings into the sea finds itself facing opposition from environmentalists and scientists. When released into the sea the iron would create plankton “blooms” in waters that would not see them otherwise. The plankton then captures CO₂ from the atmosphere as it grows.

Part of the problem is that the planned location is near the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos National Park authorities have expressed their worries that a nearby plankton bloom might upset the marine food chains.

More than that the National Park authorities, supported by several scientists, argues that a plankton bloom might only remove carbon from the atmosphere for a brief period. And that the legality of it under both US and international law is doubtful.

Planktos Inc. however remains determined to go ahead, pointing out that the concentration of iron they’re releasing is not considered toxic. They also point out that most of the waters around Galapagos are already rich in iron, making it unlike that the food chain would be harmed by releasing iron.

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