National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We study our changing ocean to better understand impacts of ocean acidification and how to adapt.
Ocean acidification occurs because our ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is causing a fundamental change in the chemistry of the ocean from pole to pole, leading to increased acidity and impacts to marine life and the people who depend on them. NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program seeks to better prepare society to respond to ocean acidification by expanding our understanding through research and interdisciplinary partnerships.
Visit our Projects Search to learn about all of our active projects.
Award amount: $1,451,575Duration: 3 yearsFunding agency: NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP), National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) Why we care Growing seaweed in the ocean could be one way to alleviate some..
Why we care Iron is a critical limiting nutrient for phytoplankton in the ocean. Iron fertilization adds this limiting nutrient to promote phytoplankton blooms as a way to take up..
Why we care Ocean alkalinity enhancement has the potential to capture carbon and mitigate ocean acidification. While ocean alkalinity enhancement is a promising approach for removing carbon from the atmosphere,..
OAP Happenings
Some areas like Rose Atoll have high saturation of calcium carbonate minerals while others areas experience less saturated waters. The ocean is a great sponge for absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This causes ocean acidification, a change in ocean chemistry that both increases the seawater’s acidity and can impact the saturation of calcium carbonate minerals. Barkley found that the traditional measures of coral reefs like percent coral cover or diversity didn’t reveal the effects of ocean acidification.
See how reef growth offered a clearer picture of long-term trends >
Check out the latest posts from the Ocean Acidification Program
The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program on behalf of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) announces $24.3M of funding aimed at bringing together academic researchers, federal
The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) is pleased to announce the launch of the FY24 Education Mini-grant Program! The principal objective of this grant opportunity
NOAA”s Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) advances ocean acidification science, education and outreach. The needs of audiences around the nation grows with the advancement of our
The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program exists to meet the ocean acidification research and monitoring needs of the U.S. See how you can get involved to serve your community and participate in cutting-edge research and education and outreach.
The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.
Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:
Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare
Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes
Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally
Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.
Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill
Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources
Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats
You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?
Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live. As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action. As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification. Here are some ideas to get started: