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Carbon Dioxide Removal

Breaking wave in sunlight. Credit: NOAA Ocean Service

Assessing the chemical and biological implications of alkalinity enhancement using carbonate salts from captured carbon dioxide to mitigate ocean acidification and enable mCDR

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Energy, manufacturing and deployment costs are critical to the viability of any carbon dioxide removal approach. This research project focuses on a new strategy that promises low energy burden and low manufacturing costs to capture carbon and achieve ocean alkalinity enhancement, essential features for scaling any future efforts of this technology to […]

Assessing the chemical and biological implications of alkalinity enhancement using carbonate salts from captured carbon dioxide to mitigate ocean acidification and enable mCDR Read More »

Phytoplankton, most likely coccolithophors, in the Atlantic on 15 Feb 2006. Credit: NASA

Assessing the laboratory and field responses of diatoms and coccolithophores to ocean alkalinity enhancement

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Ocean alkalinity enhancement relies on modifying the acid-base properties of seawater to remove carbon dioxide, however the effect of this strategy on primary productivity, cell physiology, and carbon export remain unknown. These impacts are not only potential ecosystem effects, but may influence the efficiency of carbon dioxide removal. This research focuses on

Assessing the laboratory and field responses of diatoms and coccolithophores to ocean alkalinity enhancement Read More »

The colder water assemblage of foraminifera. T. quinqueloba, N. incompta and G. falconensis are common. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Determining the Influence of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement on Foraminifera Calcification, Distribution, and Calcium carbonate Production

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Foraminifera, or forams, are single-celled organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells and play a crucial role in the ocean’s carbon cycle. Ocean alkalinity enhancement aims to increase the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide by enhancing its buffering capacity. However, the impact of the addition of alkalinity on foraminifera is not well

Determining the Influence of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement on Foraminifera Calcification, Distribution, and Calcium carbonate Production Read More »

Coral Reef off the coast of Coconut Island in Kāneʻohe. Photo by Keisha Bahr

Assessing the effects and risks of ocean alkalinity enhancement on the physiology, functionality, calcification, and mineralogy of corals and crustose coralline algae in the Pacific

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care One potential benefit of ocean alkalinity enhancement is reversing ocean acidification, which can impact marine life like corals, clams, and crabs. This project investigates the potential benefits and risks of ocean alkalinity enhancement on Pacific tropical and subtropical corals and crustose coralline algae. The project’s goal is to understand if ocean alkalinity

Assessing the effects and risks of ocean alkalinity enhancement on the physiology, functionality, calcification, and mineralogy of corals and crustose coralline algae in the Pacific Read More »

Wastewater treatment plants could be used to enhance alkalinity as a carbon dioxide removal and ocean acidification mitigation approach. Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program

Quantifying the Efficacy of Wastewater Alkalinity Enhancement on mCDR and Acidification Mitigation in a Large Estuary

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Manipulating wastewater treatment plant procedures and discharge to enhance carbon removal is practical because of the current readiness of infrastructure to deliver alkalinity to the coastal ocean. Many wastewater facilities already treat wastewater with alkalinity, permits to allow alkalinity discharge already exist, and there are several known technologies that can increase alkalinity

Quantifying the Efficacy of Wastewater Alkalinity Enhancement on mCDR and Acidification Mitigation in a Large Estuary Read More »

Methane seeps from the benthos in the Atlantic. Credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration

Developing a coupled benthic-pelagic biogeochemical model to evaluate the effectiveness of mCDR interventions

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care The ocean seafloor, or benthos, serves as the only long-term storage of oceanic carbon on geologic timescales. However, the interaction between ocean water and sediments and its role in carbon storage is a major knowledge gap. Understanding this feedback is important for assessing the duration of carbon storage for ocean carbon dioxide

Developing a coupled benthic-pelagic biogeochemical model to evaluate the effectiveness of mCDR interventions Read More »

Gliders can sample ocean conditions and track impacts of ocean alkalinity enhancement methods. Credit: NOAA AOML

Assessing Carbon Dioxide Removal and Ecosystem Response for an Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Field Trial

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Tracking how ocean alkalinity enhancement reduces acidity, resulting in carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere is important for knowing how, where and when to deploy this approach as well as its potential impacts to marine life. Capitalizing on an ocean alkalinization field trial in the Gulf of Maine already underway, this project

Assessing Carbon Dioxide Removal and Ecosystem Response for an Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Field Trial Read More »

Wastewater treatment plant. Courtesy of East Bay Utility District

Assessing efficacy of electrochemical ocean alkalinity enhancement at an existing outfall using tracer release experiments and oceanographic models

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Adding alkalinity to the ocean may provide a safe and effective approach to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Assessing the efficacy and efficiency of ocean alkalinity enhancement are essential steps to ensuring that this method of carbon dioxide removal can contribute to mitigating climate change and ocean acidification.  What we will

Assessing efficacy of electrochemical ocean alkalinity enhancement at an existing outfall using tracer release experiments and oceanographic models Read More »

Pteropod shell

Biotic calcification impacts on marine carbon dioxide removal additionality

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care There are several challenges that can limit the efficiency and effectiveness of marine carbon dioxide removal methods. One potential consequence of some methods is increased growth of organisms that build shells out of calcium carbonate, or calcification (shell building). Calcification releases carbon dioxide into seawater, which may reduce the efficiency of carbon

Biotic calcification impacts on marine carbon dioxide removal additionality Read More »

Fishery-responsive management is an important component of implementing any marine carbon dioxide removal. Pictured are fishermen at sea with fish in a hold. Credit: iStock

Engaging U.S. Commercial Fishing Community to Develop Recommendations for Fishery-Sensitive mCDR Governance, Collaborative Research and Monitoring, and Outreach to Fishing Communities

Coastal Acidification, Projects / By

Why we care Marine carbon dioxide removal strategies will interact with fishery ecosystems, resources, and activities. It is important to engage with commercial fisheries early to develop an accurate understanding of governance concerns to build trust and fishery-sensitive governance.  What we will doThe project will leverage existing networks of fishermen from the Northeast, Alaska, and

Engaging U.S. Commercial Fishing Community to Develop Recommendations for Fishery-Sensitive mCDR Governance, Collaborative Research and Monitoring, and Outreach to Fishing Communities Read More »

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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

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

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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