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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: Global

Related Posts

See news related to this Research Region

Near-future ocean warming and acidification alter foraging behaviour, locomotion, and metabolic rate in a keystone marine mollusc

Environmentally-induced changes in fitness are mediated by direct effects on physiology and behaviour, which are tightly linked. We investigated how predicted ocean warming (OW) and acidification (OA) affect key ecological behaviours (locomotion speed and foraging success) and metabolic rate of a keystone marine mollusc, the sea hare Stylocheilus striatus, a specialist grazer of the toxic cyanobacterium Lyngbya

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November 6, 2024

Processes Driving Global Interior Ocean pH Distribution

Ocean acidification evolves on the background of a natural ocean pH gradient that is the result of the interplay between ocean mixing, biological production and remineralization, calcium carbonate cycling, and temperature and pressure changes across the water column. While previous studies have analyzed these processes and their impacts on ocean carbonate chemistry, none have attempted

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November 6, 2024

Global variability in seawater Mg:Ca and Sr:Ca ratios in the modern ocean

Seawater elemental composition, namely Mg:Ca and Sr:Ca ratios are widely used in marine sciences. Our new single-laboratory global dataset, combined with past data of seawater Mg:Ca and Sr:Ca ratios, suggests that modern ocean variability is significant across different environments, being similar to the changes during the Neogene Period (20 Ma). Because there is large variability

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November 6, 2024

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

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

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November 6, 2024

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

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

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November 6, 2024
Map of SOCAT (v1.5) surface fCO2 values released on September 14, 2011. Credit: NOAA PMEL
Federal Funding

Optimizing Global Observations of Carbon Dioxide in the Surface Ocean Using Machine Learning

This work will assess how we can optimize observing resources from the global fleet to support improved, efficient, and cost-effective monitoring of the ocean carbon sink and minimize uncertainty. Researchers will use machine learning to determine how to best deploy observing assets like buoys, autonomous vehicles, and ships to measure the ocean’s uptake of carbon

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October 1, 2024

Data reporting and sharing for ocean alkalinity enhancement research

Effective management of data is essential for successful ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) research, as it guarantees the long-term preservation, interoperability, discoverability, and accessibility of data. OAE research generates various types of data, such as discrete bottle measurements, autonomous measurements from surface underway and uncrewed platforms (e.g., moorings, Saildrones, gliders, Argo floats), physiological response studies (e.g.,

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August 26, 2024

Rapid assessments of Pacific Ocean net coral reef carbonate budgets and net calcification following the 2014–2017 global coral bleaching event

The 2014–2017 global coral bleaching event caused widespread coral mortality; however, its impact on the capacity for coral reefs to maintain calcium carbonate structures has not been determined. Here, we quantified remotely sensed maximum heat stress during the 2014–2017 bleaching event, census-based net carbonate budgets from benthic imagery and fish survey data, and net reef

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August 7, 2024

Global Carbon Budget 2022

ccurate assessment of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere in a changing climate is critical to better understand the global carbon cycle, support the development of climate policies, and project future climate change. Here we describe and synthesize data sets and methodologies to quantify the five

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August 7, 2024

Best Practice Data Standards for Discrete Chemical Oceanographic Observations

Effective data management plays a key role in oceanographic research as cruise-based data, collected from different laboratories and expeditions, are commonly compiled to investigate regional to global oceanographic processes. Here we describe new and updated best practice data standards for discrete chemical oceanographic observations, specifically those dealing with column header abbreviations, quality control flags, missing

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August 7, 2024

Related Projects

See our funded projects for this Focus Area

NOAA ship in background during the West Coast Ocean Acidification research cruise with a mooring measuring ocean chemistry in the foreground. Credit: NOAA
Optimizing the ocean acidification observing system in California
  • PI(s): Christopher Edwards, University of California, Santa Cruz
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2019, 2020, 2021
This project specifically investigates how the observing network is contributing to forecasting models using these complex tools to estimate ocean acidification conditions throughout the central California Current System...
Project Summary >
Map of SOCAT (v1.5) surface fCO2 values released on September 14, 2011. Credit: NOAA PMEL
Optimizing Global Observations of Carbon Dioxide in the Surface Ocean Using Machine Learning
  • PI(s): Galen A. McKinley, Columbia University
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027
This work will assess how we can optimize observing resources from the global fleet to support improved, efficient, and cost-effective monitoring of the ocean carbon sink and minimize uncertainty. Researchers..
Project Summary >
A glider equipped with sensors measuring ocean conditions and ocean chemistry is deployed off a ship. Credit: NOAA PMEL
Delivering ocean acidification products and observing system assessment for the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem
  • PI(s): Christopher A. Edwards, University of California Santa Cruz
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027
  • Grant Award # NA24OARX017G0021-T1-01
This project delivers products and an assessment of observing with the glider network for the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem...
Project Summary >
Lake Superior as seen from space in fall. Orange and red colors are from fall foliage. Credit: NOAA GLERL CoastWatch node
Measurement and Modeling of Processes Controlling acidification in the Great Lakes
  • PI(s): Noel Urban, Michigan Technological University
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027
  • Grant Award # NA24OARX017G0022-T1-01
The project increases new monitoring and modeling capacity in the Great Lakes to assess the extent of acidification or potential future acidification...
Project Summary >
Calm sea with mountains on horizon and expansive sky in Ketchikan, Alaska. Credit: Phil Price, Flickr
Building Capacity for Alaskan Tribes
  • PI(s): Spencer Weinstein
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023
This Alaska Sea Grant project increases ocean acidification monitoring capacity and assess vulnerability of Alaskan Tribes to ocean acidification...
Project Summary >
Spruce Island in the Kodiak region of Alaska. Bull kelp at water's surface with island in the background. Ocean acidification monitoring in this region helps prepare Kodiak Tribes for the impacts of ocean change. Credit: NOAA
Supporting Tribal Ocean Acidification Monitoring Programs
  • PI(s): Jake Cohen
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023
This work will identify specific ocean acidification monitoring and support needs by Kodiak Tribes,. Additionally, it supports the career development of an Alaska Sea Grant fellow and increase capacity in..
Project Summary >

Related Publications

See publications produced by our funded projects for this Focus Area

Rubble persistence under ocean acidification threatened by accelerated bioerosion and lower‐density coral skeletons
  • Alice E. Webb, Ana M. Palacio-Castro, Kenzie Cooke, Katherine R. Eaton, Benjamin Chomitz, Nash Soderberg, Morgan Chakraborty, Zachary Zagon, Albert Boyd, Patrick M. Kiel, Allyson DeMerlis, Chris T. Perry, Ian C. Enochs
  • Global Change Biology
  • June 11, 2024
Citation: Webb, A. E., Palacio-Castro, A. M., Cooke, K., Eaton, K. R., Chomitz, B., Soderberg, N., Chakraborty, M., Zagon, Z., Boyd, A., Kiel, P. M., DeMerlis, A., Perry, C. T., & Enochs, I. C. (2024). Rubble persistence under ocean acidification threatened by accelerated bioerosion and lower-density coral skeletons. Global Change Biology, 30, e17371. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.17371
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The challenges of detecting and attributing ocean acidification impacts on marine ecosystems
  • Steve S Doo, Andrea Kealoha, Andreas Andersson, Anne L Cohen, Tacey L Hicks, Zackary I Johnson, Matthew H Long, Paul McElhany, Nathaniel Mollica, Kathryn E F Shamberger, Nyssa J Silbiger, Yuichiro Takeshita, D Shallin Busch
  • ICES Journal of Marine Science
  • August 9, 2020
Citation: Steve S Doo, Andrea Kealoha, Andreas Andersson, Anne L Cohen, Tacey L Hicks, Zackary I Johnson, Matthew H Long, Paul McElhany, Nathaniel Mollica, Kathryn E F Shamberger, Nyssa J Silbiger, Yuichiro Takeshita, D Shallin Busch, The challenges of detecting and attributing ocean acidification impacts on marine ecosystems, ICES Journal of Marine Science, Volume 77, Issue 7-8, December 2020, Pages 2411–2422, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaa094
Read Summary >
Seasonal patterns of surface inorganic carbon system variables in the Gulf of Mexico inferred from a regional high-resolution ocean biogeochemical model
  • Fabian A. Gomez, Rik Wanninkhof, Leticia Barbero, Sang-Ki Lee, Frank J. Hernandez Jr.
  • Biogeosciences
  • March 31, 2020
Citation: Gomez, F. A., Wanninkhof, R., Barbero, L., Lee, S.-K., and Hernandez Jr., F. J.: Seasonal patterns of surface inorganic carbon system variables in the Gulf of Mexico inferred from a regional high-resolution ocean biogeochemical model, Biogeosciences, 17, 1685–1700, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1685-2020, 2020.
Read Summary >
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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