NOAA invests $18.9M in a coordinated effort to maximize advances in harmful algal bloom (HAB) mitigation, monitoring and forecasting. Four of new research awards support ($1.5M) funded in partnership by NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and NOAA’s Ocean Acidification program will determine interactive effects of HABs and ocean acidification. Other projects supported through this effort will establish a U.S. Harmful Algal Bloom Control Incubator, enhance detection of HAB toxins and improve forecasts and investigate the socioeconomic impacts of HABs. Read more

Project Highlights

University of Michigan, University of Minnesota Duluth, Oberlin College, University of Kentucky, and University of Toledo received $281,975 to improve our understanding of the synergistic impacts of acidification, temperature, total alkalinity, and nutrients on toxic cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes. 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Bowdoin College, and NERACOOS received $499,999 to address gaps in understanding relationships between harmful algal bloom behavior and ocean acidification in the northeast Atlantic, especially where it is associated with coastal eutrophication and hypoxia.

Stony Brook University, Adelphi University, and St. Joseph's College received $364,265 to establish a comprehensive understanding of how three of the most prominent HABs on the US east coast respond to ocean acidification, and how their co-occurrence will economically impact fisheries and shellfisheries. 

Northwest Indian College, San Francisco State University, and University of Washington received $355,281 to understand the current relationships between ocean acidification and harmful algal bloom interactions in the Salish Sea, and to quantify how ocean acidification influences growth and toxicity. 

 Autonomous glider collects information to track harmful algal blooms and water quality. Credit: Ben Yair Raanan, MBARI

The NOAA/NOS/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and the NOAA/OAR/Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) are soliciting proposals for the Identification and Application of Acidification Thresholds in Coastal Ecosystems. The goal is to develop a threshold detection and warning capability for ocean acidification in concert with other stresses. This includes identification of indicator species and parameters (ecological, economic, and/or social) to monitor that might provide early warning of impending change from one ecosystem state to another. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2018 Federal appropriations. It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have a September 1, 2018 start date. Applicants should submit proposals not to exceed $350,000 per year for projects generally 2-4 years in duration, with a total multi-year budget not to exceed $1,050,000. Funding for this program is contingent upon the availability of funds, which may not have been appropriated at the time of this announcement.

Due Date: Letters of Intent must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 8, 2017 and are required before submitting a full proposal. Full applications must be received and validated by Grant.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 13, 2018. 

The full funding opportunity and information on how to apply can be found on [EasyDNNnewsLink|69]. 

For more information, please contact Beth Turner, NOAA/NCCOS, 603-862-4680 or elizabeth.turner@noaa.gov.

The Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry (OCB) Program is working with a scientific organizing committee to plan the 4th U.S. Ocean Acidification Principal Investigators meeting in conjunction with the 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 7-19, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.

If you are interested in attending the meeting, apply by November 6th using this link: [EasyDNNnewsLink|67]