This project investigates how oysters with different number of chromosomes commonly used in shellfish growing tolerate the natural variability of pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen.
Can Pacific oysters with different genomes mitigate multiple stressors? Read More »
This project will expand our understanding of multistressors on surfclams and provide farmers and the surfclam fishing sector with commercially relevant information for farm-scale business planning.
Although climate change is expected to decimate coral reefs, the combined impacts of ocean-warming and acidification on coral reef biodiversity remains largely unmeasured. Here, we present a two-year mesocosm experiment to simulate future ocean acidification and ocean-warming to quantify the impacts on species richness, community composition, and community structure. We find that species richness is
“We need to do this in the Northeast!”
Dwight Gledhill, Deputy Director of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, and Ru Morrison, Executive Director of Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS), exclaimed after listening to a presentation on the newly formed California Current Acidification Network. Seeing how the West Coast was creating a collaboration of scientists, industry members, and managers on the West Coast inspired them to start a similar effort on the other side of the country in the Northeast US.
Ocean acidification is a global issue, driven by absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and it holds particular interest and concern for Alaskans. A primary reason is that Alaska water is cold, and cold water can hold more gas – just like a cold soda stays more fizzy than a warm one. This makes Alaska’s waters naturally more rich in carbon dioxide and thereby higher in acidity, placing it closer to the threshold that could be harmful to marine organisms. Since Alaska is home to a $6 billion dollar seafood industry and many communities that rely heavily on subsistence fishing, the stakes are high.
During the last decade, oyster aquaculture has rebounded in Virginia and has been associated with an increase in subaqueous leased area. Production levels remain historically low, however, and many leases are thought to be underutilized. This study uses a novel approach leveraging high-resolution environmental data to evaluate lease utilization and identify constraints on aquaculture development.
Acidification in brackish estuarine environments, such as the Chesapeake Bay, is intensified by coastal inputs such as runoff, atmospheric pollution and freshwater sources. The Chesapeake Bay is home to commercial shellfish hatcheries that supply seed that is sold to and planted in hundreds of shellfish farms within the Chesapeake. A great deal of research has been dedicated to understanding the impact of acidification on shellfish, and has shown even greater impacts to shellfish growth and survival in lower salinity and nutrient-rich environments. The shellfish industry relies on consistent hatchery production to sustain and expand operations that could greatly benefit from regional OA forecasts and metrics. This project will synthesize recent CO2 system observations with long-term water quality parameters and combine observations an existing baywide, high-resolution 3D model. The proposed research will develop forecasts of acidification and develop acidification metrics tailored to support decision-making needs of commercial shellfish hatchery and nursery operators.
The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) is currently recruiting an Oceanographer within the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division based in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a part of a team of researchers in the Ecosystem Sciences Division, the Oceanographer will assess ecological impacts to the coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. Pacific Islands (Hawaii Archipelago, Marianas Archipelago, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Islands Areas) from multiple environmental drivers with a focus on local warming and changes in the coastal carbonate system.
Apply by May 24, 2019!
A full position description and more information about applying to this position can be found by navigating to www.rcuh.com and clicking on “Job Postings” and Project Name “JIMAR” (position 19214).
Two ocean acidification-related undergraduate research internship opportunities are avaiable this summer at Mook Sea Farm in Walpole, ME supported by SEANET. These opportunities are open to undergraduate students from or attending university in Maine.
The Aquaculture in changing waters: Impacts of ocean acidification on juvenile oysters opportunity is directly related to ocean acidification and the aquaculture industry. The second internship, Environmental influence on larval bivalve settlement success, will consider the effects of several environmental variables, including pCO2, pH, and saturation state, on larval bivalve settlement in a field study.
Applications will be reviewed beginning February 18. 2019. Please direct questions to me, Meredith White, meredith.megan.white@gmail.com
Undergraduate Research Internship Opportunities Read More »
A new model created by scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution projects – under a worst- case scenario – that warming and increasingly acidic waters could reduce the sea scallop population by more than 50% in the next 30 to 80 years. The bright spot? Fisheries management and efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, might slow or even stop that trend for this $500 million fishery.
Ocean acidification may reduce sea scallop fisheries Read More »
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: