Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus provides for the upwelling of cold nutrient-rich water from a predetermined depth in the ocean. The method employs the conducting of a relatively fresh-water input stream to the predetermined depth, wherein the fresh-water stream is mixed with ambient sea water from the predetermined depth to form a substantially homogeneous mixture. The mixture is then conducted through an up pipe to a lesser depth, the surface, or above the surface. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber fluidly connected to a down pipe and an up pipe at the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring cold seawater from lower ocean depths upward toward sea level for use in ocean thermal energy conversion systems is disclosed wherein an in situ desalination process is utilized to create a density differential between the desalinated water and the surrounding seawater. The desalinated water being of a lesser density than the surrounding seawater, rises naturally upward through a conduit and is utilized as a heat transfer medium in the ocean thermal energy conversion system. The desalinated water, which is a byproduct of the energy conversion system, may be utilized for domestic consumption or alternatively dispersed into the near surface region (photic zone) of the ocean to increase the nutrient concentration therein.

Abstract: Nutrient-rich ocean water from the aphotic zone of the ocean, which normally begins at about 100 to 200 meters below the ocean surface, is desalinated or partially desalinated in situ using electro-dialysis to leave the nutrients in the water. The nutrient-rich desalinated water thus obtained, being of lesser density than the surrounding seawater, naturally rises through conduits into the relatively nutrient-poor photic zone of the ocean and is dispersed therein, thus increasing the concentration of nutrients in the photic zone near the surface of the ocean. This increases the fertility of the near-surface photic zone, and thus increases the supply of harvestable food fish from the near-surface photic zone.