The goal of geoengineering is to produce substantial societal benefits while minimizing adverse effects. Geoengineering approaches have mostly included cloud seeding, CO2 capture, and ocean iron fertilization. The goal of this special session is to widen this research in the field of oceanography. The session topics will include advances in the methodology of artificial upwelling with potential applications for modification of extreme local climates, mitigation of hurricane damage in coastal regions, preservation of coral reefs from bleaching, and increasing marine aquaculture and fisheries productivity. Further topics include, but are not limited to, using deep ocean water for the air conditioning of coastal buildings and changing the water biochemical composition.

The ocean-atmosphere system is a coupled nonlinear system with complex environmental interconnections. An important function of the session is to assess the environmental impact and potential adverse effects of geoengineering approaches.