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Biological Response

Coral macrobioerosion is accelerated by ocean acidification and nutrients

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Coral reefs exist in a delicate balance between calcium carbonate (CaCO3) production and CaCO3 loss. Ocean acidification (OA), the CO2-driven decline in seawater pH and CaCO3 saturation state (Ω), threatens to tip this balance by decreasing calcification and increasing erosion and dissolution. While multiple CO2 manipulation experiments show coral calcification declines under OA, the sensitivity of bioerosion to […]

Coral macrobioerosion is accelerated by ocean acidification and nutrients Read More »

Impacts of Coastal Acidification on the Pacific Northwest Shellfish Industry and Adaptation Strategies Implemented in Response

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In 2007, the US west coast shellfish industry began to feel the effects of unprecedented levels of larval mortality in commercial hatcheries producing the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Subsequently, researchers at Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery, working with academic and government scientists, showed a high correlation between aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) of inflowing seawater and survival of

Impacts of Coastal Acidification on the Pacific Northwest Shellfish Industry and Adaptation Strategies Implemented in Response Read More »

Robust Sensor for Extended Autonomous Measurements of Surface Ocean Dissolved Inorganic Carbon

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Ocean carbon monitoring efforts have increased dramatically in the past few decades in response to the need for better marine carbon cycle characterization. Autonomous pH and carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors capable of yearlong deployments are now commercially available; however, due to their strong covariance, this is the least desirable pair of carbonate system parameters to

Robust Sensor for Extended Autonomous Measurements of Surface Ocean Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Read More »

Ocean acidification enhances the bioerosion of a common coral reef sponge: implications for the persistence of the Florida Reef Tract

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The increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide in seawater, termed ocean acidification (OA), depresses calcification rates of coral and algae, and may contribute toward reef ecosystem degradation. To test how future OA conditions will influence biologically-mediated dissolution (bioerosion) of coral by the common Caribbean boring sponge Pione lampa (de Laubenfels, 1950), we conducted a series of carefully controlled

Ocean acidification enhances the bioerosion of a common coral reef sponge: implications for the persistence of the Florida Reef Tract Read More »

Changes in pteropod distributions and shell dissolution across a frontal system in the California Current System

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We tested the sensitivity of the vertical distributions and shell dissolution patterns of thecosome pteropods to spatial gradients associated with an eddy-associated front in the southern California Current System. The aragonite saturation horizon (Ωarag = 1.0) shoaled from >200 to <75 m depth across the front. The vertical distribution of thecosome pteropods tracked these changes, with all

Changes in pteropod distributions and shell dissolution across a frontal system in the California Current System Read More »

Ocean Acidification Accelerates the Growth of Two Bloom-Forming Macroalgae

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While there is growing interest in understanding how marine life will respond to future ocean acidification, many coastal ecosystems currently experience intense acidification in response to upwelling, eutrophication, or riverine discharge. Such acidification can be inhibitory to calcifying animals, but less is known regarding how non-calcifying macroalgae may respond to elevated CO2. Here, we report

Ocean Acidification Accelerates the Growth of Two Bloom-Forming Macroalgae Read More »

Effects of long-term exposure to ocean acidification conditions on future southern Tanner crab (<em>Chionoecetes bairdi</em>) fisheries management

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Demographic models of pre- and post-recruitment population dynamics were developed to account for the effects of ocean acidification on biological parameters that affect southern Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) larval hatching success and larval and juvenile survival. Projections of stock biomass based on these linked models were used to calculate biological and economic reference points on

Effects of long-term exposure to ocean acidification conditions on future southern Tanner crab (<em>Chionoecetes bairdi</em>) fisheries management Read More »

Exposure to low pH reduces survival and delays development in early life stages of Dungeness crab (<em>Cancer magister</em>)

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The Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, is an important resource species, and in Puget Sound, USA, where the adults occur in inshore waters that have summer pH as low as 7.6, future levels are predicted as low as 7.1. Using eggs and larvae from females captured in Puget Sound in late 2012, this laboratory study examined hatching

Exposure to low pH reduces survival and delays development in early life stages of Dungeness crab (<em>Cancer magister</em>) Read More »

Ocean Acidification Affects Hemocyte Physiology in the Tanner Crab (<em>Chionoecetes bairdi</em>)

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We used flow cytometry to determine if there would be a difference in hematology, selected immune functions, and hemocyte pH (pHi), under two different, future ocean acidification scenarios (pH = 7.50, 7.80) compared to current conditions (pH = 8.09) for Chionoecetes bairdi, Tanner crab. Hemocytes were analyzed after adult Tanner crabs were held for two years

Ocean Acidification Affects Hemocyte Physiology in the Tanner Crab (<em>Chionoecetes bairdi</em>) Read More »

Development of <em>Euphausia pacifica</em> (krill) larvae is impaired under <em>p</em>CO<sub>2</sub> levels currently observed in the Northeast Pacific

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Despite the critical importance of euphausiids in marine food webs, little ocean acidification (OA) research has focused on them. Euphausia pacifica is a dominant and trophically important species of euphausiid throughout the North Pacific and the California Current Ecosystem, where low pH conditions are occurring in advance of those in the global ocean. We assessed the impact

Development of <em>Euphausia pacifica</em> (krill) larvae is impaired under <em>p</em>CO<sub>2</sub> levels currently observed in the Northeast Pacific Read More »

Forecasts for Alaska Fisheries

Crab pots and fishing nets in Alaska's Dutch Harbor
Image credit: Michael Theberge

Understanding seasonal changes in ocean acidification in Alaskan waters and the potential impacts to the multi-billion-dollar fishery sector is a main priority. Through work funded by NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory developed a model capable of depicting past ocean chemistry conditions for the Bering Sea and is now testing the ability of this model to forecast future conditions. This model is being used to develop an ocean acidification indicator provided to fisheries managers in the annual NOAA Eastern Bering Sea Ecosystem Status Report.

ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

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:

FORECASTING

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

Closeup of oysters cupped in someone's hands

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

50 more ways to reduce your carbon footprint >

On the Road

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.

With your Food Choices

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

With your Food Choices

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

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

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:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action