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Monitoring & Modeling

The challenges of detecting and attributing ocean acidification impacts on marine ecosystems

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A substantial body of research now exists demonstrating sensitivities of marine organisms to ocean acidification (OA) in laboratory settings. However, corresponding in situ observations of marine species or ecosystem changes that can be unequivocally attributed to anthropogenic OA are limited. Challenges remain in detecting and attributing OA effects in nature, in part because multiple environmental changes are […]

The challenges of detecting and attributing ocean acidification impacts on marine ecosystems Read More »

Seasonal patterns of surface inorganic carbon system variables in the Gulf of Mexico inferred from a regional high-resolution ocean biogeochemical model

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Uncertainties in carbon chemistry variability still remain large in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), as data gaps limit our ability to infer basin-wide patterns. Here we configure and validate a regional high-resolution ocean biogeochemical model for the GoM to describe seasonal patterns in surface pressure of CO2 (pCO2), aragonite saturation state (ΩAr), and sea–air CO2 flux. Model results indicate that

Seasonal patterns of surface inorganic carbon system variables in the Gulf of Mexico inferred from a regional high-resolution ocean biogeochemical model Read More »

Acidification in the U.S. Southeast: Causes, Potential Consequences and the Role of the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network

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Coastal acidification in southeastern U.S. estuaries and coastal waters is influenced by biological activity, run-off from the land, and increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Acidification can negatively impact coastal resources such as shellfish, finfish, and coral reefs, and the communities that rely on them. Organismal responses for species located in the U.S. Southeast document

Acidification in the U.S. Southeast: Causes, Potential Consequences and the Role of the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network Read More »

A regional hindcast model simulating ecosystem dynamics, inorganic carbon chemistry, and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Alaska

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The coastal ecosystem of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) is especially vulnerable to the effects of ocean acidification and climate change. To improve our conceptual understanding of the system, we developed a new regional biogeochemical model setup for the GOA. Model output suggests that bottom water is seasonally high in CO2 between June and January. Such

A regional hindcast model simulating ecosystem dynamics, inorganic carbon chemistry, and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Alaska Read More »

Challenges in Quantifying Air-Water Carbon Dioxide Flux Using Estuarine Water Quality Data: Case Study for Chesapeake Bay

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Carbon dioxide (CO2), an important greenhouse gas, is transferred from most estuaries to the atmosphere at a poorly known but potentially large rate. The difficulty in accurately quantifying the transfer is the lack of data of the amount of CO2 in estuarine surface waters. We evaluated the proposition that the abundance of historical water quality measurements

Challenges in Quantifying Air-Water Carbon Dioxide Flux Using Estuarine Water Quality Data: Case Study for Chesapeake Bay Read More »

Understanding Anthropogenic Impacts on pH and Aragonite Saturation State in Chesapeake Bay: Insights From a 30-Year Model Study

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Ocean acidification (OA) is often defined as the gradual decline in pH and aragonite saturation state (ΩAr) for open ocean waters as a result of increasing atmospheric pCO2. Potential long-term trends in pH and ΩAr in estuarine environments are often obscured by a variety of other factors, including changes in watershed land use and associated riverine carbonate

Understanding Anthropogenic Impacts on pH and Aragonite Saturation State in Chesapeake Bay: Insights From a 30-Year Model Study Read More »

Decadal variability in twentieth-century ocean acidification in the California Current Ecosystem

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Oceanic uptake of CO2 can mitigate climate change, but also results in global ocean acidification. Ocean acidification-related changes to the marine carbonate system can disturb ecosystems and hinder calcification by some organisms. Here, we use the calcification response of planktonic foraminifera as a tool to reconstruct the progression of ocean acidification in the California Current Ecosystem

Decadal variability in twentieth-century ocean acidification in the California Current Ecosystem Read More »

Preparation of 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (TRIS) pHT buffers in synthetic seawater

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Buffers of known quality for the calibration of seawater pHT measurements are not widely or commercially available. Although there exist published compositions for the 0.04 mol kg-H2O−1 equimolar buffer 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (TRIS)-TRIS · H+ in synthetic seawater, there are no explicit procedures that describe preparing this buffer to achieve a particular pHT with a known uncertainty. Such a procedure is described here

Preparation of 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (TRIS) pHT buffers in synthetic seawater Read More »

Estuarine Forecasts at Daily Weather to Subseasonal Time Scales

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This paper evaluates a suite of forecasts for Chesapeake Bay water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen created using a numerical model. By comparing the model forecasts with observations, we show that the model forecasts for temperature and salinity are more accurate than reference forecasts of previously observed conditions or the long-term mean; in other words,

Estuarine Forecasts at Daily Weather to Subseasonal Time Scales 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