Scientists warn that coastal carbon removal techniques, designed to pull CO2 from seawater, may backfire if pushed too hard. Adding excess alkalinity triggers chemical reactions that counteract the process.

Adding more than 2 millimoles of alkalinity per liter of seawater can reverse carbon removal benefits.

Chemical reactions caused by excess alkalinity release CO2 back into the atmosphere.

Researchers are now exploring safer thresholds for coastal carbon removal.

This discovery impacts global climate goals and coastal ecosystem health.

Adding more than 2 millimoles of alkalinity per liter of seawater reverses carbon removal benefits.

How Coastal Carbon Removal Could Backfire When Pushed Too Far