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Verifying Impact: Monitoring Solutions for Transparent Carbon Capture Quantification
Reliable, transparent, quantifiable
At Blusink, monitoring and verification are at the heart of our mission to create reliable, scalable ocean-based carbon capture solutions. Ensuring that our technology works as intended—and that its impact is accurately measured—is essential to building trust, driving innovation, and achieving meaningful climate action.
The ocean is a dynamic, open system, making the measurement of carbon sequestration more complex than in controlled environments. To meet this challenge, we employ cutting-edge techniques to track the performance of our Blusinkies and the carbon-capturing species that have formed on them, assess environmental impacts, and verify long-term carbon storage. This rigorous approach ensures transparency and accountability, helping us demonstrate the effectiveness of our solutions to stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers.
Our MRV Process - An Overview
Our Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) process is designed to ensure the effectiveness, reliability, and transparency of our ocean-based carbon capture technology. Our approach integrates environmental monitoring, scientific evaluation, and data analysis to track the progress of our deployments and ensure their long-term success.
1. Baseline Survey and Initial Monitoring
Before implementing any project, we begin by conducting a baseline survey of the environmental conditions in the selected area. This initial phase involves:
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A detailed evaluation of the seabed characteristics where Blusinkies will be deployed, ensuring optimal placement for effective carbon capture.
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Documentation of existing marine organisms inhabiting the area, creating a reference point for tracking changes in biodiversity.
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Capturing high-resolution imagery to establish a baseline for the ocean seafloor’s three-dimensional structure and composition, which will be used to monitor temporal changes.
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Measuring environmental variables such as temperature, salinity, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) to assess light availability and suitability for calcification processes.
This data provides a comprehensive snapshot of the area’s conditions and helps determine whether the site is suitable for the deployment of Blusink technology.
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2. Deployment and Initial Verification
Once the initial survey is complete, Blusinkies are deployed, and qualified diving teams conduct strategic spot-checks to verify the proper placement and distribution patterns of the technology. These checks ensure that the Blusinkies are positioned correctly for maximum efficiency in carbon capture.
3. Continuous Monitoring through Sensors
After deployment, we monitor the site using a network of sensors designed to track environmental conditions and the performance of the Blusinkies.
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Sensor maintenance is carried out at regular intervals of 4–6 months to ensure optimal performance and data reliability.
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The number of sensors deployed is determined by two key factors:
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Environmental heterogeneity, including variations in topography, vegetation density, and microclimate conditions.
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The spatial extent of the deployment area, which determines the coverage requirements and spatial resolution needed for accurate monitoring.
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4. Annual Monitoring Round
After one year of deployment, we conduct a monitoring round to assess the carbon capture behaviour of the Blusinkies:
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A representative number of colonised Blusinkies are collected and incubated in laboratory chambers to create a proxy for their carbon capture performance.
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Incubation is done using filtered seawater in custom-made, water-jacketed plexiglass chambers, which are temperature controlled to match the recorded conditions of the deployment site.
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Dark respiration rates are measured first, followed by exposure to increasing light intensities.
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Water samples are taken at the beginning and end of each incubation, poisoned, and stored for total alkalinity (TA) analysis to determine calcification rates.
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TA measurements are taken before and after each incubation using the Gran titration method to assess calcification rates of the Rhodolith species.
5. Power Analysis for Sample Size Optimization
To ensure the scientific rigor of our monitoring, we conduct a power test to determine the minimum sample size required to demonstrate effective carbon capture.
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Using data from initial laboratory incubations, we calculate the effect size and set the power to 0.8 with a significance threshold of 0.05.
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This analysis ensures that we neither over-sample (which wastes resources) nor under-sample (which could lead to inconclusive results).
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The sample size determined through this power analysis is maintained in subsequent monitoring rounds, enabling statistically valid comparisons over time.
6. Ongoing Monitoring Over 3-5 Years
Following the initial year of monitoring, we return to the site annually, typically for the next four years, to conduct representative monitoring. This allows us to track the long-term effectiveness of the Blusinkies in carbon sequestration and their environmental impact, ensuring that the technology continues to perform optimally and that any necessary adjustments are made.
Want the full details? Download our Quantification Methodology document below
