European scientists have teamed up with two innovative startups to tackle the critical issue of ocean deoxygenation in the Baltic Sea. This pioneering experiment aims to reoxygenate the sea and restore its marine biodiversity threatened by the depletion of oxygen. The project, known as BOxHy, utilizes hydrogen production technology to inject oxygen directly into the water, potentially reviving the ecosystem. This article explores the science behind this bold initiative and the challenges it faces in restoring the Baltic Sea to a healthy, thriving state.
Tackling Ocean Deoxygenation: A Collaborative Approach
Ocean deoxygenation is a growing global concern, and the Baltic Sea is one of the regions hit the hardest. This semi-enclosed sea, bordered by agricultural and industrial countries, has become an “ecological desert,” according to Alf Norkko from the University of Helsinki. The main causes of this issue are the warming of the oceans due to climate change and the process of eutrophication, where excess nutrients from various sources, such as fertilizer runoff and sewage, create algae blooms that deplete oxygen when they decompose.
To address this pressing problem, European scientists have teamed up with two innovative startups, Lhyfe and Flexens, in a pioneering experiment known as BOxHy. The project aims to study the feasibility of injecting gaseous oxygen directly into the Baltic Sea’s deep waters, a technique that has been used in certain freshwater lakes in North America. By restoring the oxygen levels, the project hopes to expand the habitat for important species like cod, which require well-oxygenated waters to thrive.
Harnessing Hydrogen Technology for Ocean Reoxygenation
The BOxHy project is leveraging the expertise of the French startup Lhyfe, which specializes in the separation of hydrogen and oxygen molecules from water using an electric current. Lhyfe has developed a first-of-its-kind offshore hydrogen production unit that uses desalinated seawater, and the company has been releasing the oxygen produced into the atmosphere. However, in the Baltic Sea experiment, this oxygen will be injected directly into the water to reoxygenate the marine environment.
The project is still in the planning stage, with numerous details yet to be determined, such as the method and rate of oxygen injection, as well as how to measure the subsequent impact on the ecosystem’s fauna and flora. The second phase of BOxHy involves running a pilot project, expected to last five to six years and scheduled to start in 2025, according to Szilvia Haide of Flexens, the Finnish startup coordinating the project.
According to Matthieu Guesne, the CEO of Lhyfe, around 30 offshore platforms on the Baltic Sea would be necessary to completely reoxygenate the entire body of water. However, Guesne acknowledges that this is a long-term project, estimating a duration of 20 to 30 years. The success of the initiative will also depend on the agricultural industry’s efforts to reduce the use of fertilizers, a major contributor to eutrophication in the Baltic Sea.
Restoring Ecosystem Balance: Challenges and Potential Impacts
The BOxHy project faces several challenges in its quest to reoxygenate the Baltic Sea. Firstly, the method of oxygen injection must be carefully designed and tested to ensure minimal disruption to the existing ecosystem. The project team must determine the optimal locations, depth, and rate of oxygen injection to achieve the desired results without causing unintended consequences.
Another key consideration is the long-term sustainability of the project. Restoring oxygen levels in the Baltic Sea is not a one-time fix, but rather a continuous process that will require ongoing effort and investment. The project’s success will depend on the ability to maintain the oxygen levels over decades, as well as the willingness of stakeholders, including governments and industries, to commit to the long-term solution.
Despite the challenges, the potential benefits of the BOxHy project are significant. Restoring oxygen levels in the Baltic Sea could lead to the revival of marine biodiversity, the expansion of habitats for important species like cod, and the overall improvement of the sea’s ecological health. This pioneering experiment could serve as a model for similar efforts in other deoxygenated regions, contributing to the global efforts to protect and restore the world’s oceans.
