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Limnology and Oceanography

Assessing drivers of estuarine pH: A comparative analysis of the continental U.S.A.’s two largest estuaries

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In estuaries, local processes such as changing material loads from the watershed and complex circulation create dynamic environments with respect to ecosystem metabolism and carbonate chemistry that can strongly modulate impacts of global atmospheric CO2 increases on estuarine pH. Long-term (> 20 yr) surface water pH records from the USA’s two largest estuaries, Chesapeake Bay (CB) and […]

Assessing drivers of estuarine pH: A comparative analysis of the continental U.S.A.’s two largest estuaries Read More »

Source partitioning of oxygen-consuming organic matter in the hypoxic zone of the Chesapeake Bay

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We surveyed the carbonate system along the main channel of the Chesapeake Bay in June 2016 to elucidate carbonate dynamics and the associated sources of oxygen-consuming organic matter. Using a two endmember mixing calculation, chemical proxies, and stoichiometry, we demonstrated that in early summer, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) dynamics were controlled by aerobic respiration in

Source partitioning of oxygen-consuming organic matter in the hypoxic zone of the Chesapeake Bay Read More »

Seasonal and spatial variability in surface <em>p</em>CO<sub>2</sub> and air–water CO<sub>2</sub> flux in the Chesapeake Bay

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Interactions between riverine inputs, internal cycling, and oceanic exchange result in dynamic variations in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in large estuaries. Here, we report the first bay-wide, annual-scale observations of surface pCO2 and air–water CO2 flux along the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay, revealing large annual variations in pCO2 (43–3408 μatm) and a spatial-dependence of pCO2 on internal and

Seasonal and spatial variability in surface <em>p</em>CO<sub>2</sub> and air–water CO<sub>2</sub> flux in the Chesapeake Bay Read More »

Supply-controlled calcium carbonate dissolution decouples the seasonal dissolved oxygen and pH minima in Chesapeake Bay

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Acidification can present a stress on organisms and habitats in estuaries in addition to hypoxia. Although oxygen and pH decreases are generally coupled due to aerobic respiration, pH dynamics may be more complex given the multiple modes of buffering in the carbonate system. We studied the seasonal cycle of dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, dissolved inorganic

Supply-controlled calcium carbonate dissolution decouples the seasonal dissolved oxygen and pH minima in Chesapeake Bay Read More »

Net ecosystem dissolution and respiration dominate metabolic rates at two western Atlantic reef sites

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Ocean acidification is changing surface water chemistry, but natural variability due to nearshore processes can mask its effects on ecosystem responses. We present an approach of quantitatively resolving net ecosystem metabolism from an array of long-term time series stations, offering perhaps the longest record of such processes over a reef to date. We used 8

Net ecosystem dissolution and respiration dominate metabolic rates at two western Atlantic reef sites Read More »

New and updated global empirical seawater property estimation routines

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We introduce three new Empirical Seawater Property Estimation Routines (ESPERs) capable of predicting seawater phosphate, nitrate, silicate, oxygen, total titration seawater alkalinity, total hydrogen scale pH (pHT), and total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from up to 16 combinations of seawater property measurements. The routines generate estimates from neural networks (ESPER_NN), locally interpolated regressions (ESPER_LIR), or

New and updated global empirical seawater property estimation routines Read More »

Rapid assessments of Pacific Ocean net coral reef carbonate budgets and net calcification following the 2014–2017 global coral bleaching event

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The 2014–2017 global coral bleaching event caused widespread coral mortality; however, its impact on the capacity for coral reefs to maintain calcium carbonate structures has not been determined. Here, we quantified remotely sensed maximum heat stress during the 2014–2017 bleaching event, census-based net carbonate budgets from benthic imagery and fish survey data, and net reef

Rapid assessments of Pacific Ocean net coral reef carbonate budgets and net calcification following the 2014–2017 global coral bleaching event 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