Dates: 7–11 April 2025
Location: IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco
Deadline for receipt of application from the nominating national authority: 21 February 2025
The course is organized by the IAEA OA-ICC in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation through the OACIS Initiative (Ocean Acidification and other ocean Changes – Impacts and Solutions).
Introduction
The Training Course on Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement — Assessing the Impacts on Marine Organisms is part of the capacity building program of the IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC). The program aims to support IAEA Member States to minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification (Sustainable Development Goal 14.3) and related stressors.
Objectives
The ocean is under pressure from warming, acidification and oxygen loss, adversely impacting marine ecosystems and the communities and societies who depend on them. But the ocean, covering 70% of Earth’s surface, can also be a vital part of the solution and our ally to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit warming to well below 2º C would not only require drastic cuts in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but also the active removal of carbon CO2 on the order of 100–1000 Gt CO2 over the 21st century (IPCC, 2018). Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) approach which is receiving growing interest from scientists, policy makers and industry. It entails the addition of alkaline materials to the sea with the goal to increase the ocean’s potential to absorb CO2. There is limited scientific information to date about the impact that OAE might have on marine organisms and ecosystems. Building technical expertise to assess ecological impacts of OAE is critically needed to allow for informed policy decisions about this approach.
The aim of this course is to train scientists on how to perform laboratory experiments on the potential impacts of OAE on marine organisms. The course includes both theoretical and practical exercises with the goal to design purposeful experiments, analyze complex datasets, avoid typical pitfalls, and ensure data comparability with other studies. Lectures on the broader context and implications of OAE will also be provided (e.g., societal and governance aspects). The course will be largely based on the 2023 Guide to Best Practices for Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research, especially the chapters on experimental design.
Target Audience
The course is open to 10-12 trainees. Priority will be given to early-career scientists with experience in marine environmental changes who already received training on ocean acidification and seawater carbonate chemistry. At least one publication in the field of marine environmental changes is required.
Working Language
English
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Participation and Registration
Scientists wishing to participate in the event must be designated by an IAEA Member State or should be members of organizations that have been invited to attend.
In order to be designated by an IAEA Member State, participants are requested to send the Participation Form (Form A) to their competent national authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA, or National Atomic Energy Authority) for onward transmission to the IAEA by 21 February 2025. Participants who are members of an organization invited to attend are requested to send the Participation Form (Form A) through their organization to the IAEA by the above deadline.
Selected participants will be informed in due course on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters.
Participants are hereby informed that the personal data they submit will be processed in line with the Agency’s Personal Data and Privacy Policy and is collected solely for the purpose(s) of reviewing and assessing the application and to complete logistical arrangements where required. The IAEA may also use the contact details of Applicants to inform them of the IAEA’s scientific and technical publications, or the latest employment opportunities and current open vacancies at the IAEA. These secondary purposes are consistent with the IAEA’s mandate.
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Additional Requirements
The participants should have a university degree in marine chemistry, biology, oceanography, or a related scientific field, and must have already received training on ocean acidification and seawater carbonate chemistry or performed ocean acidification experiments.
Selection will be based on merit and interest. Your applications should include:
- A motivation letter with a short description of your research interests, why you would like to participate, and your plans regarding present and future research on OAE (max one A4 page)
- CV with publication list
IAEA / OA-ICC, 24 January 2025. More information.
