Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

« Back to Publications search

Sea surface carbon dioxide at the Georgia time series site (2006–2007): Air–sea flux and controlling processes

  • Author(s): Liang Xue, Wei-Jun Cai, Xinping Hu, Christopher Sabine, Stacy Jones, Adrienne J. Sutton, Li-Qing Jiang, Janet J. Reimer
  • Progress in Oceanography
  • November 9, 2015
Citation: Xue, L., Cai, W. J., Hu, X. P., Sabine, C., Jones, S., Sutton, A. J., Jiang, L. Q., & Reimer, J. J. (2016). Sea surface carbon dioxide at the Georgia time series site (2006-2007): Air-sea flux and controlling processes. Progress in Oceanography, 140, 14-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2015.09.008

Carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) in surface seawater was continuously recorded every three hours from 18 July 2006 through 31 October 2007 using a moored autonomous pCO2 (MAPCO2) system deployed on the Gray’s Reef buoy off the coast of Georgia, USA. Surface water pCO2 (average 373 ± 52 μatm) showed a clear seasonal pattern, undersaturated with respect to the atmosphere in cold months and generally oversaturated in warm months. High temporal resolution observations revealed important events not captured in previous ship-based observations, such as sporadically occurring biological CO2 uptake during April–June 2007. In addition to a qualitative analysis of the primary drivers of pCO2 variability based on property regressions, we quantified contributions of temperature, air–sea exchange, mixing, and biological processes to monthly pCO2 variations using a 1-D mass budget model. Although temperature played a dominant role in the annual cycle of pCO2, river inputs especially in the wet season, biological respiration in peak summer, and biological production during April–June 2007 also substantially influenced seawater pCO2. Furthermore, sea surface pCO2 was higher in September–October 2007 than in September–October 2006, associated with increased river inputs in fall 2007. On an annual basis this site was a moderate atmospheric CO2 sink, and was autotrophic as revealed by monthly mean net community production (NCP) in the mixed layer. If the sporadic short productive events during April–May 2007 were missed by the sampling schedule, one would conclude erroneously that the site is heterotrophic. While previous ship-based pCO2 data collected around this buoy site agreed with the buoy CO2 data on seasonal scales, high resolution buoy observations revealed that the cruise-based surveys undersampled temporal variability in coastal waters, which could greatly bias the estimates of air–sea CO2 fluxes or annual NCP, and even produce contradictory results.

    View Article

    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

    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