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Ocean Acidification Program News

NOAA OAP, GOMO fund $3M for Optimizing Ocean carbon Observing

  • Featured, Federal Funding, OA News, OAP Happenings, OAP Original News Stories
An AI generated image of water with bubbles. Credit: NOAA OAP

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) and NOAA’s Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing (GOMO) Program are pleased to announce the awardees for the  FY24 Coastal and Ocean Carbon Observing Optimization Studies funding opportunity. The expected total NOAA investment of $3,018,812 over three years aims to optimize sampling strategies that improve carbonate chemistry observing systems geared towards delivering data required to support the specific decision support needs for end users such as resource managers, shellfish harvesters or growers, and researchers. 

Click below to learn more about the three projects.

Measurement and Modeling of Processes Controlling pH in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Principal Investigator: Noel Urban, Michigan Technological University
Total award: $1,395,035
Source: OAP
This project increases capacity for high quality measurement and modeling of the carbon system in the Great Lakes. The high-resolution information elucidates the chemical and biological processes at different scales that influence the carbon system and determine the level or potential for acidification.

Four-dimensional ocean acidification data products and observing system assessment for the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem
Principal Investigator: Christopher Edwards, University of California Santa Cruz
Total award:  $1,049,822
Source: OAP
The goals of this project are to develop two sets of ocean acidification relevant products for the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem to interested and impacted communities to help optimize the glider network for ocean carbon observing. The products will reflect and approach using modeling and statistical estimates, characterizing the uncertainty against ocean observations, assessing the impact of glider lines, and communicating results to key communities. 

Valuation of Surface Ocean pCO2 Observations For Machine Learning Applications
Principal Investigator: Galen A. McKinley, Columbia University
Total award: $573,955
Source: GOMO, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
This project assesses how we can optimize observing resources from the global fleet to support improved, efficient, and cost-effective monitoring of the ocean carbon sink and minimize uncertainty. Researchers will use machine learning to determine how to best deploy observing assets like buoys, autonomous vehicles, and ships to measure the ocean’s uptake of carbon dioxide globally.

The projects started in September 2024 and will be completed by August 30, 2027. 

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Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs

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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.

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Forecasts for Alaska Fisheries

Fishing nets in Alaska
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