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.

Publications

Publication Post Type

Seasonal Variations of Carbonate Chemistry at Two Western Atlantic Coral Reefs

By

Anthropogenic activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, interact with the chemistry of the ocean surface and cause ocean acidification (OA). The current trend and projections for OA are well defined for open ocean waters, although less is known about its effects on nearshore ecosystems, where most of the affected organisms reside. In this […]

Seasonal Variations of Carbonate Chemistry at Two Western Atlantic Coral Reefs Read More »

Physiological feeding rates and cilia suppression in blue mussels (<em>Mytilus edulis</eM>) with increased levels of dissolved carbon dioxide

By

Gills of marine bivalves, the organs that mediate water flow for feeding and other physiological functions, are exposed to increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in seawater, in response to ocean acidification (OA). We examined the effects of elevated dissolved CO2 upon filtration and feeding behavior of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, under field conditions and in laboratory

Physiological feeding rates and cilia suppression in blue mussels (<em>Mytilus edulis</eM>) with increased levels of dissolved carbon dioxide Read More »

Accounting for risk transitions of ocean ecosystems under climate change: an economic justification for more ambitious policy responses

By

Despite the ocean’s role in regulating the climate and providing ecosystem services, the importance of the ocean has only recently gained appropriate attention in the context of international climate change policies. This concerns the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems and the role of the ocean in climate change mitigation. Since impacts can be

Accounting for risk transitions of ocean ecosystems under climate change: an economic justification for more ambitious policy responses Read More »

Decadal variability in twentieth-century ocean acidification in the California Current Ecosystem

By

Oceanic uptake of CO2 can mitigate climate change, but also results in global ocean acidification. Ocean acidification-related changes to the marine carbonate system can disturb ecosystems and hinder calcification by some organisms. Here, we use the calcification response of planktonic foraminifera as a tool to reconstruct the progression of ocean acidification in the California Current Ecosystem

Decadal variability in twentieth-century ocean acidification in the California Current Ecosystem Read More »

Preparation of 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (TRIS) pHT buffers in synthetic seawater

By

Buffers of known quality for the calibration of seawater pHT measurements are not widely or commercially available. Although there exist published compositions for the 0.04 mol kg-H2O−1 equimolar buffer 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (TRIS)-TRIS · H+ in synthetic seawater, there are no explicit procedures that describe preparing this buffer to achieve a particular pHT with a known uncertainty. Such a procedure is described here

Preparation of 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (TRIS) pHT buffers in synthetic seawater Read More »

Estuarine Forecasts at Daily Weather to Subseasonal Time Scales

By

This paper evaluates a suite of forecasts for Chesapeake Bay water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen created using a numerical model. By comparing the model forecasts with observations, we show that the model forecasts for temperature and salinity are more accurate than reference forecasts of previously observed conditions or the long-term mean; in other words,

Estuarine Forecasts at Daily Weather to Subseasonal Time Scales Read More »

Evaluation of a New Carbon Dioxide System for Autonomous Surface Vehicles

By

The research evaluates a new Autonomous Surface Vehicle CO2 (ASVCO2) system designed to improve carbon measurement in the ocean, addressing gaps in current strategies that hinder understanding of the carbon biogeochemical cycle. Deployed from 2011 to 2018, the ASVCO2 systems demonstrated their capability for long-term oceanic deployment and accurate collection of air and seawater pCO2

Evaluation of a New Carbon Dioxide System for Autonomous Surface Vehicles Read More »

Relative impacts of global changes and regional watershed changes on the inorganic carbon balance of the Chesapeake Bay

By

Over the past century, estuaries have experienced global (atmospheric CO2 concentrations and temperature) and regional changes (river inputs, land use), but their relative impact remains poorly known. In the Chesapeake Bay, we find that global and regional changes have worked together to enhance how much atmospheric CO2 is taken up by the estuary. The increased

Relative impacts of global changes and regional watershed changes on the inorganic carbon balance of the Chesapeake Bay Read More »

Long-Term Changes of Carbonate Chemistry Variables Along the North American East Coast

By

Human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and absorbed by the ocean. The excess carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean leads to ocean acidification. Coastal acidification along the North American East Coast is not well understood due to limited spatial and temporal observations and because other

Long-Term Changes of Carbonate Chemistry Variables Along the North American East Coast Read More »

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