The biogenic birth of Oolitic Aragonite Sand
The biogenic nature of Oolitic Aragonite Sand is an integral part in improving its atmospheric environment due to its ability to naturally sequester CO2, which ultimately results in it greatly minimizing the overall carbon footprint of finished products. Oolitic Aragonite is a high purity calcium carbonate that has a negative carbon footprint and most importantly it is a naturally renewable source. Its applications are numerous across various industries where it net carbon footprint is always positive due to its sustainability as a renewable natural resource. Oolitic Aragonite sand is an USDA approved organic material that can be used for organic production in accordance with the USDA National Organic Standards.
Naturally Renewable
The formation of Oolitic Aragonite (biogenic CaCO3) occurs as a natural phenomenon that is known as a “Whiting” event. During the seasonal entry of phytoplankton blooms into the warm waters of the Bahamas there are precipitation of calcium carbonate induced by photosynthesis that produces CaCO3. During this process Oolitic Aragonite Sand accumulates where it’s known as “Whiting” due to the white, chalky color it imbues to the water. Within our harvesting areas, millions of tons of Oolitic Aragonite is naturally generated each year. Through ASTM D6866 testing we’ve confirmed the renewability of Oolitic Aragonite Sand and its biobased origins. Oolitic Aragonite Sand is the only calcium carbonate created from a naturally renewable source that is sustainable when compared to ground calcium carbonate (limestone etc.) that’s produced from nonrenewable fossil sources that has a finite supply and thus non-sustainable.
Carbon Sequestration
Oolitic Aragonite Sand is a natural occurring carbon absorber that naturally sequesters carbon during its formation. It is produced through the mineralization of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) within natural occurring Blooms of phytoplankton. During this naturally occurring process, carbon is removed from the atmosphere and binds with Calcium in the water, precipitating calcium carbonate.
Photosynthesis facilitates and drives the engine of both forms of carbon sequestration by cyanobacteria:
- Reducing CO2 to organic compounds
- Producing Oxygen (O2) through the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle.
- Mineralizing CO2 to recalcitrant carbonates; Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3).
Cyanobacteria has a biochemical system that allows the cells to raise the concentration of CO2 at the site of the 5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (RUBISCO) up to 1,000 times surrounding medium and is referred to as Carbon Dioxide Concentrating Mechanism (CCM). Cyanobacteria naturally excretes organic polymeric substances to form extracellular formations that serve as a nucleation surface for mineralization.
Negative Carbon Footprint
Oolitic Aragonite Sand naturally sequesters carbon during its formation. Though third party verified Carbon Footprint Analysis it’s been demonstrated that Oolitic Aragonite Sand has a negative carbon footprint. Oolitic Aragonite Sand removes more carbon from the atmosphere than is emitted by the harvesting. Through the use of Oolitic Aragonite a producer can potentially contribute to the reduction of their carbon footprint by its implementation in the production of their product or services thus helping the end user to reach their sustainability goals.
Results of the ISO 14067:2018 Carbon Footprint Study for Oolitic Aragonite
BCS conducted a third-party verified life cycle analysis and a partial carbon footprint study of the Oolitic Aragonite . As a result, the total carbon composition of the raw material, by factoring the total amount of carbon to calcium in aragonite composition, stored an amount of carbon greater than the amount used to extract the raw material. This methodology is in alignment with the guidance of ISO 14067:2018 Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification, which states:
“In the LCIA phase of a CFP study, the potential climate change impact of each GHG emitted and removed by the product system shall be calculated by multiplying the mass of GHG released or removed by the 100-year GWP given by the IPCC in units of kg CO2e per kg emission (with carbon feedbacks, according to IPCC).”
This means the raw material has a net negative carbon footprint when considering its extraction and storage of biogenic carbon.
This Carbon Footprint of a Product study is a partial study based on a cradle to gate life cycle analysis of the harvesting of Oolitic Aragonite by Sandy Cay Development in GBB. The negative carbon footprint is strongly dependent on the product’s life cycle and its subsequent end-of-life scenario. Because Oolitic Aragonite can be a raw material input to any number of products, there is the possibility of chemical reactions that lead to the release of the carbon from the aragonite as CO2 is emitted back to the atmosphere. Therefore, manufacturers using Oolitic Aragonite as raw material should independently calculate the Carbon Footprint of their products. This Carbon Footprint claim is of raw material only (as sold by BCS) and does not mean that a product made from Oolitic Aragonite can have a total negative carbon footprint for the entire product.
Partner with a Responsible Marine Service Provider
Looking for environmentally responsible marine construction, dredging, or logistics solutions?
Let’s build sustainable infrastructure together.