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Ocean Acidification Research

Environmental monitoring, sensitivity research, adaptation response, education and outreach, and critical data collection for ocean acidification

Determining our nation's vulnerability to ocean acidification demands a trifecta of understanding: quantifying the environmental exposure of marine life to ocean acidification through monitoring and modeling of ocean chemistry, discerning the sensitivity of marine life to ocean acidification through biological response research and ecosystem models, and understanding the human dependence on organisms most impacted.

The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring (FOARAM; 33 U.S.C. Chapter 50, Sec. 3701-3708)  Act established the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program and provided guidance and mandates for our mission. FOARAM was reauthorized as part of the CHIPS Act in 2022 with additional responsibilities that continue to shape our work.

NOAA's Ocean Acidification Program Supports Critical Ocean Acidification Research

The Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) pursues science to improve our understanding of where, how, and how fast the chemistry of the ocean is changing. Furthermore, knowing what impacts these changes have on marine life, people, and the local, regional, and national economies helps people adapt to our changing ocean. 

This work aligns with NOAA’s mission to understand ocean change, share that knowledge, and conserve coastal and marine ecosystems. The OAP plays an integral role in maintaining long-term ocean acidification monitoring and advancing our knowledge of marine ecosystems sensitivity to acidification.  OAP facilitates educational opportunities and collaborations to raise awareness and action. Additionally, the OAP provides grants for critical research projects  on the socioeconomic impacts that can lead to potential adaptive strategies. The program coordinates activities with other agencies and appropriate international ocean science bodies.

Research Areas

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental monitoring and modeling characterize ocean conditions so that it may be applied to assessing impacts to species, ecosystems and people.

Biological Response

Research focused on economically and ecologically important marine species respond to ocean acidification informs how aquaculture, wild fisheries, and food webs may change as ocean chemistry changes.

Human Connections

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program works to learn how to adapt to the socioecological and economic consequences of ocean acidification.

Education & Outreach

Education and outreach are vital to improving the public's awareness and understanding of ocean acidification, so people can make informed decisions and adapt to ocean acidification impacts.

Data Management

We need efficient, innovative ways to manage and deliver data to understand changing ocean chemistry and its impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems.

Carbon Dioxide Removal

NOAA is poised to advance our understanding of carbon dioxide removal as an essential strategy to address ocean change.

Get involved with ocean acidification

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program exists to meet the ocean acidification research and monitoring needs of the U.S. See how you can get involved to serve your community and participate in cutting-edge research and education and outreach. 

Current Funding Opportunities

Bioeconomic modeling to inform Alaska fisheries management

Fishing Dock in Juneau Alaska
Image credit: Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS

Bioeconomic models are a multidisciplinary tool that use oceanography, fisheries science and social science to assess socioeconomic impacts. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center use a bioeconomic model to study the impacts of ocean acidification on Eastern Bering Sea crab, northern rock sole and Alaska cod. The goal is to predict how ocean acidification will affect abundance yields and income generated by the fisheries. This work informs the potential economic impacts of ocean acidification and future decision making and research planning.

More about this work

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