Iron Hypothesis

The Iron Hypothesis suggests that adding iron to the ocean could help reduce global warming. Phytoplankton, tiny marine plants, need iron to grow. When iron levels increase, these plankton bloom, pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they photosynthesize. When they die, some of the carbon sinks to the ocean floor, removing it from the cycle for centuries. This natural process could potentially help slow climate change, but it’s complex and carries environmental risks, so scientists study it carefully before considering large-scale implementation.