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we have the technology already: the cyanobacteria which produced the oxygen that ultimately became the earth's atmosphere. they're even better than trees because they're easier to multiplex and they don't catch on fire.

all you need is clean-ish seawater. i even drew up a few designs myself a few months ago.

what we lack is the will to put the plans we know will work into action.

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I want to learn more about these cyanobacteria:

Are there extensively measured curves of carbon uptake rate as a function of light intensity? For each curve draw the steepest line through the origin, touching the curve, the corresponding intensity is the ideal intensity, and the cyanbacteria type with the best carbon uptake rate per intensity should be selected.

Then a single solar panel roof could power multiple "floors" of these cyanobacteria?

I’ve wondered whether this could be tried in a contained/containable area, like the Black Sea, to minimize potential unintended consequences.

i speculate that the black sea is not suitable because it's a bit too far north for optimal sunlight intensity and hours. in principle your idea is good, but it still suffers from the collective action problem.

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