Lead researcher Mojtaba Fakhraee, an assistant professor of Earth sciences at the University of Connecticut (starting August 2025), explained that traditional emission reduction strategies alone may no longer suffice to limit global temperature increases to below 2 degrees Celsius, a goal outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Carbon capture, which involves trapping CO2 emissions from industrial processes, is emerging as a complementary strategy. Fakhraee, in collaboration with Noah Planavsky, a professor of Earth and planetary sciences at Yale University, developed a model that utilizes enhanced iron sulfide formation to boost alkalinity in fish farms and other low-oxygen aquatic environments. This process could capture over 100 million metric tons of CO2 annually.
"We are in the situation right now that to be able to sustain that 1.5-degree threshold, we should be removing carbon from the atmosphere," said Fakhraee. "There is no way around this point."
Fish farms were chosen as a focal point because they are heavily influenced by human activity, offering a dual benefit of carbon capture and reduced toxicity from hydrogen sulfide. According to the study, introducing iron into these environments causes it to react with accumulated hydrogen sulfide, increasing alkalinity and enhancing carbonate saturation. This process enables the environment to sequester more CO2.
The researchers highlighted countries like China and Indonesia as prime candidates for this model due to their extensive fish farming operations. They estimate that China alone could remove approximately 100 million metric tons of CO2 annually through this approach.
In addition to environmental benefits, this method would support fish farm sustainability. Toxic hydrogen sulfide buildup is harmful to fish, leading to higher mortality rates and less viable stock. The proposed model not only neutralizes this toxicity but also enhances fish health and profitability.
"This approach could be more effective than other carbon capture methods because it stores carbon for thousands of years, far beyond the lifespan of CO2 in the atmosphere," Fakhraee explained.
While this model is just one potential avenue for large-scale carbon capture, its implementation could offset emissions associated with aquaculture. "The co-benefit for this specific pathway is that it would help with neutralizing the carbon emissions from fish farms, resulting in a more sustainable fish industry," Fakhraee added.
Research Report:Enhanced sulfide burial in low-oxygen aquatic environments could offset the carbon footprint of aquaculture production
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