Some scientists want to give the ocean an iron supplement

As the climate crisis becomes increasingly dire, a group of scientists are considering a striking technique for carbon sequestration: An iron supplement for the ocean.

The idea's called "iron enrichment," and it involves artificially introducing iron to parts of the ocean that are low on it. The goal is to help plants, especially algae, grow so that they can capture and sequester more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It's a bold approach, that many scientists wouldn't have considered years ago, and some still question today.

WBUR Climate and Environment Correspondent Barbara Moran joins The Common with more on the merits and concerns around ocean engineering in a rapidly changing climate.