ClimateAugust 26, 2026

alkalinity

al-kuh-LIN-uh-tee

Definition

A measure of the capacity of a substance, such as seawater, to neutralize acids, often manipulated to enhance CO2 absorption.

Etymology

Derived from the Arabic word 'al-qili', meaning 'the ashes of saltwort,' which were used to produce soda ash. It entered English via medieval Latin to describe substances with base, rather than acidic, properties.

In the news

The article discusses 'ocean alkalinity enhancement' as a specific technique to alter seawater chemistry to help the ocean absorb and store more atmospheric carbon dioxide.

New Zealand Captures Carbon On Land For Climate Change Mitigation: What About In The Ocean?

Read the full article ↗

Scoop - New Zealand News

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