EPA Approves Research Permit for Ocean Biomass Carbon Removal

The EPA has granted a research permit to Carboniferous, a Houston-based startup testing the viability of sinking land-based plant biomass to the deep ocean floor. By placing organic matter in anoxic, salt-heavy basins, the company aims to lock away carbon for centuries, bypassing the rapid decomposition that typically releases CO2 back into the atmosphere. This development comes as the carbon removal sector faces volatility following a pause in purchases by major corporate buyers like Microsoft. While the IPCC suggests carbon removal is necessary to meet Paris Agreement targets, experts remain divided on the scalability and ecological risks of marine-based sequestration methods.