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Projects

Coral Reef off the coast of Coconut Island in Kāneʻohe. Photo by Keisha Bahr

Assessing the effects and risks of ocean alkalinity enhancement on the physiology, functionality, calcification, and mineralogy of corals and crustose coralline algae in the Pacific

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care One potential benefit of ocean alkalinity enhancement is reversing ocean acidification, which can impact marine life like corals, clams, and crabs. This project investigates the potential benefits and risks of ocean alkalinity enhancement on Pacific tropical and subtropical corals and crustose coralline algae. The project’s goal is to understand if ocean alkalinity […]

Assessing the effects and risks of ocean alkalinity enhancement on the physiology, functionality, calcification, and mineralogy of corals and crustose coralline algae in the Pacific Read More »

Wastewater treatment plants could be used to enhance alkalinity as a carbon dioxide removal and ocean acidification mitigation approach. Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program

Quantifying the Efficacy of Wastewater Alkalinity Enhancement on mCDR and Acidification Mitigation in a Large Estuary

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Manipulating wastewater treatment plant procedures and discharge to enhance carbon removal is practical because of the current readiness of infrastructure to deliver alkalinity to the coastal ocean. Many wastewater facilities already treat wastewater with alkalinity, permits to allow alkalinity discharge already exist, and there are several known technologies that can increase alkalinity

Quantifying the Efficacy of Wastewater Alkalinity Enhancement on mCDR and Acidification Mitigation in a Large Estuary Read More »

Methane seeps from the benthos in the Atlantic. Credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration

Developing a coupled benthic-pelagic biogeochemical model to evaluate the effectiveness of mCDR interventions

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care The ocean seafloor, or benthos, serves as the only long-term storage of oceanic carbon on geologic timescales. However, the interaction between ocean water and sediments and its role in carbon storage is a major knowledge gap. Understanding this feedback is important for assessing the duration of carbon storage for ocean carbon dioxide

Developing a coupled benthic-pelagic biogeochemical model to evaluate the effectiveness of mCDR interventions Read More »

Gliders can sample ocean conditions and track impacts of ocean alkalinity enhancement methods. Credit: NOAA AOML

Assessing Carbon Dioxide Removal and Ecosystem Response for an Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Field Trial

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Tracking how ocean alkalinity enhancement reduces acidity, resulting in carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere is important for knowing how, where and when to deploy this approach as well as its potential impacts to marine life. Capitalizing on an ocean alkalinization field trial in the Gulf of Maine already underway, this project

Assessing Carbon Dioxide Removal and Ecosystem Response for an Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Field Trial Read More »

Wastewater treatment plant. Courtesy of East Bay Utility District

Assessing efficacy of electrochemical ocean alkalinity enhancement at an existing outfall using tracer release experiments and oceanographic models

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Adding alkalinity to the ocean may provide a safe and effective approach to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Assessing the efficacy and efficiency of ocean alkalinity enhancement are essential steps to ensuring that this method of carbon dioxide removal can contribute to mitigating climate change and ocean acidification.  What we will

Assessing efficacy of electrochemical ocean alkalinity enhancement at an existing outfall using tracer release experiments and oceanographic models Read More »

Pteropod shell

Biotic calcification impacts on marine carbon dioxide removal additionality

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care There are several challenges that can limit the efficiency and effectiveness of marine carbon dioxide removal methods. One potential consequence of some methods is increased growth of organisms that build shells out of calcium carbonate, or calcification (shell building). Calcification releases carbon dioxide into seawater, which may reduce the efficiency of carbon

Biotic calcification impacts on marine carbon dioxide removal additionality Read More »

Fishery-responsive management is an important component of implementing any marine carbon dioxide removal. Pictured are fishermen at sea with fish in a hold. Credit: iStock

Engaging U.S. Commercial Fishing Community to Develop Recommendations for Fishery-Sensitive mCDR Governance, Collaborative Research and Monitoring, and Outreach to Fishing Communities

Coastal Acidification, Projects / By

Why we care Marine carbon dioxide removal strategies will interact with fishery ecosystems, resources, and activities. It is important to engage with commercial fisheries early to develop an accurate understanding of governance concerns to build trust and fishery-sensitive governance.  What we will doThe project will leverage existing networks of fishermen from the Northeast, Alaska, and

Engaging U.S. Commercial Fishing Community to Develop Recommendations for Fishery-Sensitive mCDR Governance, Collaborative Research and Monitoring, and Outreach to Fishing Communities Read More »

Desalination plants have potential to integrate electrochemical stripping of carbon dioxide from the water as a marine carbon dioxide removal approach. Credit: Luciano Santandfreu (Shutterstock)

Coupling Desalination with Novel mCDR Membranes

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Large-scale marine carbon dioxide removal methods will require lots of infrastructure to move and process seawater, which could make them prohibitively expensive. This project examines a novel approach that leverages existing desalination infrastructure to minimize the cost of removing CO2 from seawater. This could make marine carbon dioxide removal a more cost-competitive

Coupling Desalination with Novel mCDR Membranes Read More »

Air-Sea Interaction Spar buoy. Credit: Lt. Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps

Data requirements for quantifying natural variability and the background ocean carbon sink in mCDR models

Carbon Dioxide Removal, Projects / By

Why we care Ocean uptake of carbon has great natural variability that accompanies rising atmospheric carbon dioxide. A major challenge for marine carbon dioxide removal will be to quantify its additional carbon removal from the atmosphere. Ocean models can quantify carbon uptake attributed to marine carbon dioxide removal will likely be the basis for carbon

Data requirements for quantifying natural variability and the background ocean carbon sink in mCDR models Read More »

Hope Roberts of the Valdez Native Tribe preserves a water sample for analyzing carbonate chemistry. Credit: Chugach Regional Resources Commission

Ocean Acidification Sampling and Observations in South-central Alaska

adaptation strategies, Coastal Acidification, education & outreach, OA monitoring, OA News, OAP Happenings, ocean acidification, Projects, socio-economic impacts / By

Community Sampling and Ocean Acidification Observations in South-central Alaska Why we careSoutheast Alaska experiences ocean acidification at a faster rate than other regions due to its cold water temperatures and ocean current patterns. Indigenous communities rely on a healthy marine ecosystem and the culturally and economically important species that are impacted. This long-term community science

Ocean Acidification Sampling and Observations in South-central Alaska Read More »

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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

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

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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