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Monitoring & Modeling

Modeling the spatiotemporal effects of ocean acidification and warming on Atlantic sea scallop growth to guide adaptive fisheries management

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Climate-ready fisheries management requires reliable predictions of species responses to changing conditions across large-scale environmental gradients. Bioenergetic frameworks, such as Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) models, relate physiological processes to environmental conditions, enabling predictions of organismal growth under projected climate change conditions. Here, we provide the first large-scale coupling of a DEB model to downscaled regional […]

Modeling the spatiotemporal effects of ocean acidification and warming on Atlantic sea scallop growth to guide adaptive fisheries management Read More »

Assessment framework to predict sensitivity of marine calcifiers to ocean alkalinity enhancement – identification of biological thresholds and importance of precautionary principle

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Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), one of the marine carbon dioxide removal strategies, is gaining recognition in its ability to mitigate climate change and ocean acidification (OA). OAE is based on adding alkalinity to open-ocean and coastal marine systems through a variety of different approaches, which raises carbonate chemistry parameters (such as pH, total alkalinity, aragonite

Assessment framework to predict sensitivity of marine calcifiers to ocean alkalinity enhancement – identification of biological thresholds and importance of precautionary principle Read More »

Estimating coral reef carbonate budgets using Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry

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Carbonate budget assessments quantify rates of calcium carbonate production and erosion from habitat-altering marine taxa and can be used to evaluate the potential for reef growth and the persistence of coral reef frameworks. Tracking the key ecosystem processes that control carbonate budgets is increasingly critical as climate change threatens to shift reefs toward net erosional

Estimating coral reef carbonate budgets using Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry Read More »

Quantifying coral-algal interactions in an acidified ocean: <em>Sargassum</em> spp. exposure mitigates low pH effects on Acropora cervicornis health

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Increasingly frequent large-scale pelagic Sargassum algae blooms in the Atlantic have become a problem for coastal ecosystems. The mass decay of these blooms reduces water quality for coastal flora and fauna. However, the effects of living Sargassum blooms on seawater quality and consequently coral reef ecosystems that rely on delicately balanced carbonate chemistry are more ambiguous. Future oceans are

Quantifying coral-algal interactions in an acidified ocean: <em>Sargassum</em> spp. exposure mitigates low pH effects on Acropora cervicornis health Read More »

Statistical Prediction of In Situ Coral Reef Carbonate Dynamics Using Endmember Chemistry, Hydrodynamic Models, And Benthic Composition

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In the face of rapidly compounding climate change impacts, including ocean acidification (OA), it is critical to understand present-day stress exposure and to anticipate the biogeochemical conditions experienced by vulnerable ecosystems like coral reefs. To meaningfully predict nearshore carbonate chemistry, we must account for the complexity of the local benthic community, as well as connectivity

Statistical Prediction of In Situ Coral Reef Carbonate Dynamics Using Endmember Chemistry, Hydrodynamic Models, And Benthic Composition Read More »

Mechanisms of Ocean Acidification in Massachusetts Bay: Insights from Modeling and Observations

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Massachusetts Bay in the northeastern United States is highly vulnerable to ocean acidification (OA) due to reduced buffering capacity from significant freshwater inputs. We hypothesize that acidification varies across temporal and spatial scales, with short-term variability driven by seasonal biological respiration, precipitation–evaporation balance, and river discharge, and long-term changes linked to global warming and river

Mechanisms of Ocean Acidification in Massachusetts Bay: Insights from Modeling and Observations Read More »

Three-dimensional photogrammetry-based monitoring to enhance site-level carbonate budget assessments of coral reefs

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Census-based carbonate budget assessments synthesize metrics on biologically derived carbonate production and erosion rates to generate estimates of net carbonate production (NCP). ReefBudget is a widely used in-water carbonate budget approach, but this methodology can be field-intensive and logistically challenging, limiting spatial data coverage. Large-area imagery (LAI) is increasingly used to evaluate benthic communities and

Three-dimensional photogrammetry-based monitoring to enhance site-level carbonate budget assessments of coral reefs 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