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Biological Response

Plankton

Plankton are tiny plants and animals that many marine organisms, from salmon to whales, rely on for nutrition. Some plankton build  calcium carbonate structures using carbonate ions. Carbonate ions become relatively less abundant as the ocean’s acidity increases. Decreases in these building blocks can make building and maintaining shells and other calcium carbonate structures difficult for calcifying plankton. Changes to the survival, growth, and physiology of plankton can have impacts throughout the food web.

Krill
Krill

Krill are crustacean zooplankton that are important prey species in many marine food webs. Scientists at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center collaborated with the University of Washington to study how ocean acidification affects survival and development of early life stages of the krill Euphasia pacifica. The work also describes the carbonate chemistry of the environments where different life stages of krill species live in Puget Sound’s Hood Canal. The research team found that ocean acidification did not affect egg hatch, but lower pH slowed larval development and decreased survival within Puget Sound. Results suggest that this krill species may live near the limits of its pH tolerance in Puget Sound. This project was funded by Washington Sea Grant.

Pteropod
Pteropods

Pteropods are small snails that live as zooplankton in the water column, using their foot as wings to “fly” through the sea. They are an important prey species for many fish and marine mammals in high latitude ecosystems, including salmon and other fish, seabirds, and whales. Scientists at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory and Northwest Fisheries Science Center documented the biological sensitivity of pteropod shells to ocean acidification. These researchers collected pteropods with partially dissolved shells from high acidification locations along the U.S. West Coast and confirmed the sensitivity of North Pacific pteropods to these conditions in the laboratory.

phytoplankton
Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are the diverse set of photosynthetic organisms that are the foundation of marine food webs. As a whole, marine phytoplankton produce over half of the oxygen in our planet. Scientists are interested in how the species composition and nutritional content of phytoplankton may change with ocean acidification, as both will affect entire food webs, from clams to fish and whales.

Researchers at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center have performed experiments on a number of phytoplankton species under different ocean acidification conditions to understand their sensitivity, including how their nutritional content will change. Some of these experiments focus on single species in isolation (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima, Dunaliella salina, Chlorella autotrophica, Isochrysis sp., Tetraselmis sp.) and others on communities of species collected from the coastal environment. Research to date has found that the species studied vary in their response to ocean acidification: some increase growth rate, others decrease it, and others are insensitive; some change their elemental composition and others don’t. Data from this work demonstrate that changes in ocean carbon chemistry can have large effects on ocean phytoplankton, with potentially large ripple effects on food webs and ecosystems.

Copepod

Copepods are crustacean zooplankton that are important prey species in many marine food webs. Scientists at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center collaborated with the University of Washington to study how ocean acidification affects survival and development of early life stages of the copepod Calanus pacificus. The research team conducted detailed field studies to describe the carbonate chemistry of the environments where different life stages of copepod live in Puget Sound’s Hood Canal. This project was partially funded by Washington Sea Grant.

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

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