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Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans

Open Ocean Versus Upwelling Regimes: Air-Sea CO2 Fluxes and pCO2 Inter-Annual Variability in the Southern California Current System

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Two moorings equipped with autonomous air-sea CO2 instrumentation located in the Southern California Current System were used to examine the seasonal and interannual variability of the surface partial pressure of carbon dioxide in seawater (pCO2,sw) and the air-sea CO2 flux between 2008 and 2022. These two moorings are in two distinct oceanographic regimes: offshore, centered in the […]

Open Ocean Versus Upwelling Regimes: Air-Sea CO2 Fluxes and pCO2 Inter-Annual Variability in the Southern California Current System Read More »

Robust empirical relationships for estimating the carbonate system in the southern California Current System and application to CalCOFI hydrographic cruise data (2005–2011)

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The California Current System (CCS) is expected to experience the ecological impacts of ocean acidification (OA) earlier than most other ocean regions because coastal upwelling brings old, CO2-rich water relatively close to the surface ocean. Historical inorganic carbon measurements are scarce, so the progression of OA in the CCS is unknown. We used a multiple

Robust empirical relationships for estimating the carbonate system in the southern California Current System and application to CalCOFI hydrographic cruise data (2005–2011) Read More »

Tropical cyclones cause CaCO<sub>3</sub> undersaturation of coral reef seawater in a high-CO<sub>2</sub> world

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Ocean acidification is the global decline in seawater pH and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) saturation state (Ω) due to the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 by the world’s oceans. Acidification impairs CaCO3 shell and skeleton construction by marine organisms. Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable, as they are constructed by the CaCO3 skeletons of corals and other calcifiers. We understand relatively

Tropical cyclones cause CaCO<sub>3</sub> undersaturation of coral reef seawater in a high-CO<sub>2</sub> world Read More »

Decadal water-property trends in the California Undercurrent, with implications for ocean acidification

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This study uses data along the West Coast of North America to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution of water properties to around 500 m depth. The analysis uses potential density ( δθ ) as the vertical coordinate and bottom depth and latitude as the horizontal coordinates. The study uses historical data from the World

Decadal water-property trends in the California Undercurrent, with implications for ocean acidification Read More »

Subannual variability of total alkalinity distributions in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

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The subannual variability of total alkalinity (TA) distributions in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico was examined through the use of TA data from ship-based water sampling, historical records of riverine TA, and contemporaneous model output of surface currents and salinity. TA variability was restricted to the upper 150 m of the water column, where relationships

Subannual variability of total alkalinity distributions in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico Read More »

The influence of Pacific Equatorial Water on fish diversity in the southern California Current System

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The California Undercurrent transports Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW) into the Southern California Bight from the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. PEW is characterized by higher temperatures and salinities, with lower pH, representing a source of potentially corrosive (aragonite, Ω < 1 ) water to the region. We use ichthyoplankton assemblages near the cores of the California

The influence of Pacific Equatorial Water on fish diversity in the southern California Current System Read More »

Short-term variability of aragonite saturation state in the central Mid-Atlantic Bight

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The uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere has resulted in a decrease in seawater aragonite saturation state (Ωarag), which affects the health of carbonate-bearing organisms and the marine ecosystem. A substantial short-term variability of surface water Ωarag, with an increase of up to 0.32, was observed in the central Mid-Atlantic Bight off

Short-term variability of aragonite saturation state in the central Mid-Atlantic Bight Read More »

Multidecadal <em>f</em>CO<sub>2</sub> Increase Along the United States Southeast Coastal Margin

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Coastal margins could be hotspots for acidification due to terrestrial-influenced CO2 sources. Currently there are no long-term (>20 years) records from biologically important coastal environments that could demonstrate sea surface CO2 fugacity (fCO2) and pH trends. Here, multidecadal fCO2 trends are calculated from underway and moored time series observations along the United States southeast coastal margin, also referred to

Multidecadal <em>f</em>CO<sub>2</sub> Increase Along the United States Southeast Coastal Margin Read More »

Seasonal Variability of the CO<sub>2</sub> System in a Large Coastal Plain Estuary

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The Chesapeake Bay, a large coastal plain estuary, has been studied extensively in terms of its water quality, and yet, comparatively less is known about its carbonate system. Here we present discrete observations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity from four seasonal cruises in 2016–2017. These new observations are used to characterize the

Seasonal Variability of the CO<sub>2</sub> System in a Large Coastal Plain Estuary Read More »

Spatial and Temporal Variability of pCO2, Carbon Fluxes, and Saturation State on the West Florida Shelf

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The West Florida Shelf (WFS) is a source of uncertainty for the Gulf of Mexico carbon budget. Data from the synthesis of approximately 135,000 pCO2 values from 97 cruises from the WFS show that the shelf waters fluctuate between being a weak source to a weak sink of carbon. Overall, the shelf acts as a weak source

Spatial and Temporal Variability of pCO2, Carbon Fluxes, and Saturation State on the West Florida Shelf 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