Treaty caution on plankton plans
Official concern voiced over iron fertilization of seas.
The scientific advisory group for the parties of the London Convention, the main treaty governing ocean dumping, has for the first time questioned the use of 'iron fertilization' in combating climate change. The group's statement, released on 22 June, will not in itself interfere with plans by Planktos, a San Francisco-based company, to create a large plankton bloom with the technique in the coming months. But this official statement of concern could strengthen calls for further regulation under the terms of the treaty when the partners meet later this year.