The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has postponed a controversial climate change experiment off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard until next summer. The project, aimed at mitigating climate change by releasing sodium hydroxide into the ocean, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the ecosystem. The experiment, originally scheduled for mid-September, was delayed due to the unavailability of a fully-equipped research vessel.
The National Marine Fisheries Service also warned that the project could adversely affect federally-managed species and other NOAA trust resources. The LOC-NESS project involves two phases. The first phase would release 6,600 gallons of sodium hydroxide solution roughly 10 miles south of Normans Land.
The second phase, scheduled for 2026, plans to release up to 66,000 gallons into the Wilkinson Basin, 40 miles northeast of Provincetown. Concerns have been raised about the potential environmental impact, particularly on plankton communities. However, Woods Hole scientists assert that the temporary changes in the water’s chemistry are not expected to be severe or long-lasting.
Woods Hole experiment delay concerns
Opposition comes from environmentalists and fishermen who argue that the project could have major adverse effects on marine life and local fisheries. Friends of the Earth and other advocacy groups have cited the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which places moratoria on such geoengineering efforts due to their risks and uncertainties.
“It’s heartening that the National Marine Fisheries Service recognizes the many dangers geoengineering poses to ocean ecology and marine life,” said Benjamin Day, a senior campaigner for climate and energy justice at Friends of the Earth. Fishermen, such as Jerry Leeman, founder of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, express concerns over potential economic impacts on their operations. Woods Hole remains committed to ensuring the project’s scientific rigor and impact assessment.
“We are dedicated to getting the science right,” said Adam Subhas, an associate scientist in marine chemistry and geochemistry at Woods Hole, who is leading the project. The shift in timing came days after analyses of the experiment by federal agencies, including concerns about the impact on fish habitats, larvae, eggs, and plankton, and recommendations to better monitor any harm to the ecosystem. The debate over the experiment highlights the complexities of balancing environmental protection with the urgent need to address climate change.
The community awaits further decisions from Woods Hole and the Environmental Protection Agency.
