That's an interesting take. I was thinking more along the lines of huge (albeit expensive) algae bioreactors in empty deserts for a more controlled GMO environ

That's an interesting take. I was thinking more along the lines of huge (albeit expensive) algae bioreactors in empty deserts for a more controlled GMO environment, but one that would allow for much more accelerated carbon capture to desired outputs, like biodiesel, plastic precursors, etc. It's true the oceans are filled with aqueous rare metals, but the volume is such you'd need a fast-processing mobile operation, and like the other commenter said, I'm not sure we need another anthropogenic operation harvesting from the ocean.