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How ocean acidification affects microbes and plankton in the Gulf of America

Two scientists prepare a conical sediment trap on the aft deck of a ship. A tethered buoy floats in the water in the background.
Scientists prepare to deploy a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of America from the aft of the RV Pelican. Credit: NOAA AOML
  • Principal Investigator(s): Emily Osborne. NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026

Characterizing the Biological Carbon Pump and Evaluating Impacts of OA on Microbial and Planktonic Communities in the Gulf of America

Why we care
The Biological Carbon Pump (BCP), comprised of microbes and plankton, is the ocean’s principal pathway for transporting carbon from the surface to the deep ocean for long-term storage. Like our heart, the ocean is responsible for critical circulation of heat, carbon, salinity and more that keeps our ecosystems and planet healthy. How ocean acidification and other ocean changes impact the biological carbon pump in the Gulf of America (GOA) is largely unknown. This project launches a novel interdisciplinary BCP observing framework in the Gulf as a proof-of-concept for assessing ocean acidification impacts to the BCP and open ocean regions. 

What we are doing 
This research aims to integrate historical and emerging observational approaches to study the BCP in a changing ocean. This work will first sustain a Gulf of America sediment trap time series to study the magnitude and biogeochemistry exchanges between the surface and deep sea. Furthermore, researchers will use the environmental DNA approach metabarcoding to shed light on the biological actors that play a primary role in carbon export to the deep sea medicated by the biological carbon pump. 

The team will also collect bio-optical particulate backscattering (BPP) observations to compare and ground truth measurements from unmanned platforms, namely BGC-Argo floats in the region. BPP provides information about the concentration and size distribution of phytoplankton, detritus, and inorganic matter in the water column. Combined with other information, we can use this to assess the biological carbon pump and carbon cycling in the ocean. This effort will help evaluate and refine predictions of basin-scale carbon export using BGC-Argo data. 

Finally, researchers will collect water column samples at sea when moorings are serviced to assess patterns of, and relationships between, carbonate system parameters. These parameters give us the picture extent of ocean acidification. The aim of this work is to determine the ideal suite of subsurface sensors for a potential future NOAA Ocean Acidification Monitoring Network station. 

Benefits of our work
This work supports a sediment trap time series that will shed light on ecosystem functioning and response to ocean acidification and ocean change upon which important food webs and fisheries depend. The marine sector in the Gulf of America contributes greatly to the economy of this region with commercial and recreational fishing contributing $1.4B (24% nationally) and $11.1B (8%) respectively (NOAA’s 2022 Fisheries Economics of the United States). Ocean chemistry and the transport of carbon in this region is a critical component of supporting marine food webs and fisheries. As part of this larger goal, this time series provides information we need to advance our understanding of the BCP. It also provides ways to apply new knowledge to advance BCP applications to BGC-Argo data to better constrain and document changes in response to ocean acidification.

Investigators
Emily Osborne, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML)
Luke Thompson, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML)
Enrique Montes, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) / CIMAS
Leticia Barbero, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) / CIMAS

What is marine snow and why is understanding it important? Check out this webstory on the science at sea behind for this work.

Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs

Red King Crab
Image credit: David Csepp, NMFS AKFSC ABL

Long-term declines of red king crab in Bristol Bay, Alaska may be partially attributed to ocean acidification conditions. These impacts may be partially responsible for the fishery closures during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. Researchers found that ocean acidification negatively impacts Alaskan crabs generally by changing physiological processes, decreasing growth, increasing death rates and reducing shell thickness. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue to investigate the responses of early life history stages and study the potential of various Alaska crabs to acclimate to changing conditions. Results will inform models that will use the parameters studied to predict the effects of future ocean acidification on the populations of red king crab in Bristol Bay as well as on the fisheries that depend on them. Fishery managers will better be able to anticipate and manage stocks if changing ocean chemistry affects stock productivity and thus the maximum sustainable yield.

More about this work

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