Abstract Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a process of artificially increasing the alkalinity of seawater, chemically allowing the ocean to permanently absorb more carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and reverse some of the chemical changes resulting from CO2‐induced acidification. However, the long‐term real impacts of OAE on ocean carbonate chemistry remain unexplored. This study examined a 26‐year time‐series study in the South China Sea as part of the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study, showing that the total alkalinity of the surface seawater increased annually by 0.56 μmol kg−1. Consequently, seawater increased its CO2 absorption by 28% and reversed the declines in seawater pH by 14% and calcium carbonate saturation state by 22%. The South China Sea provides a regional example of the consistency between the theory and field observations of OAE.
Observations from the Little Bunker
Last updated: October 16, 2025 02:57 AM
Atmospheric CO₂
424.4 ppm
+18.2
ppm/year
Atmospheric CH₄
1933.54 ppb
+12.29
ppb/year
Global Temperature
+1.48 °C
Peak: +1.73°C
World Population
8.1 billion
+67
million/year