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Journal Name: Ocean Modelling

Characterizing the Natural System: Toward Sustained, Integrated Coastal Ocean Acidification Observing Networks to Facilitate Resource Management and Decision Support
  • Simone R. Alin , Russell E. Brainard , Nichole N. Price, Jan A. Newton, Anne Cohen, William T. Peterson, Eric H. DeCarlo, Elizabeth H. Shadwick, Scott Noakes, Nina Bednaršek
  • Oceanography
  • October 2, 2015
Citation: Alin, S.R., R.E. Brainard, N.N. Price, J.A. Newton, A. Cohen, W.T. Peterson, E.H. DeCarlo, E.H. Shadwick, S. Noakes, and N. Bednaršek. 2015. Characterizing the natural system: Toward sustained, integrated coastal ocean acidification observing networks to facilitate resource management and decision support. Oceanography 28(2):92–107, https://doi.org/​10.5670/oceanog.2015.34.
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Characterizing Mean and Extreme Diurnal Variability of Ocean CO2 System Variables Across Marine Environments
Citation: Torres, O., Kwiatkowski, L., Sutton, A. J., Dorey, N., & Orr, J. C. (2021). Characterizing mean and extreme diurnal variability of ocean CO2 system variables across marine environments. Geophysical Research Letters, 48, e2020GL090228. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL090228
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Characterizing Mean and Extreme Diurnal Variability of Ocean CO2 System Variables Across Marine Environments
Citation: Torres, O., Kwiatkowski, L., Sutton, A. J., Dorey, N., & Orr, J. C. (2021). Characterizing mean and extreme diurnal variability of ocean CO2 system variables across marine environments. Geophysical Research Letters, 48, e2020GL090228. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL090228
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Changes in the macrobenthic infaunal community of the Southern California continental margin over five decades in relation to oceanographic factors
  • David J. Gillett1, Stephen B. Weisberg, Simone R. Alin, Donald Cadien, Ronald Velarde, Kelvin Barwick, Cody Larsen, Ami Latker
  • Marine Ecology Progress Series
  • November 9, 2023
Citation: Gillett DJ, Weisberg SB, Alin SR, Cadien D and others (2023) Changes in the macrobenthic infaunal community of the Southern California continental margin over five decades in relation to oceanographic factors. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 722:65-88. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14415
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Changes in pteropod distributions and shell dissolution across a frontal system in the California Current System
Citation: Bednaršek N, Ohman MD (2015) Changes in pteropod distributions and shell dissolution across a frontal system in the California Current System. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 523:93-103. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11199
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Challenges in Quantifying Air-Water Carbon Dioxide Flux Using Estuarine Water Quality Data: Case Study for Chesapeake Bay
  • Maria Herrmann, Raymond G. Najjar, Fei Da, Jaclyn R. Friedman, Marjorie A. M. Friedrichs, Sreece Goldberger, Alana Menendez, Elizabeth H. Shadwick, Edward G. Stets, Pierre St-Laurent
  • Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
  • May 27, 2020
Citation: Herrmann, M., Najjar, R. G., Da, F., Friedman, J. R., Friedrichs, M. A. M., Goldberger, S., et al. (2020). Challenges in quantifying air-water carbon dioxide flux using estuarine water quality data: Case study for Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 125, e2019JC015610. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JC015610
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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