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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: Global

Related Posts

See news related to this Research Region

An Enhanced Ocean Acidification Observing Network: From People to Technology to Data Synthesis and Information Exchange

A successful integrated ocean acidification (OA) observing network must include (1) scientists and technicians from a range of disciplines from physics to chemistry to biology to technology development; (2) government, private, and intergovernmental support; (3) regional cohorts working together on regionally specific issues; (4) publicly accessible data from the open ocean to coastal to estuarine

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December 2, 2024

Surface ocean pH and buffer capacity: past, present and future

The ocean’s chemistry is changing due to the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2). This phenomenon, commonly referred to as “Ocean Acidification”, is endangering coral reefs and the broader marine ecosystems. In this study, we combine a recent observational seawater CO2 data product, i.e., the 6th version of the Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (1991–2018, ~23 million observations), with

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November 25, 2024

Global Carbon Budget 2019

Accurate assessment of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere – the “global carbon budget” – is important to better understand the global carbon cycle, support the development of climate policies, and project future climate change. Here we describe data sets and methodology to quantify the five

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November 25, 2024

The Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems and Reliant Human Communities

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, along with agriculture and land-use practices are causing wholesale increases in seawater CO2 and inorganic carbon levels; reductions in pH; and alterations in acid-base chemistry of estuarine, coastal, and surface open-ocean waters. On the basis of laboratory experiments and field studies of naturally elevated

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November 25, 2024

Subsurface automated samplers (SAS) for ocean acidification research

Ocean acidification (OA) is the process whereby anthropogenic carbon dioxide is absorbed into seawater, resulting in altered carbonate chemistry and a decline in pH. OA will negatively impact numerous marine organisms, altering the structure and function of entire ecosystems. The progression of OA, while faster than has occurred in recent geological history, has been subtle

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November 25, 2024

A vision for FAIR ocean data products

The ocean is mitigating global warming by absorbing large amounts of excess carbon dioxide from human activities. To quantify and monitor the ocean carbon sink, we need a state-of-the-art data resource that makes data submission and retrieval machine-compatible and efficient.

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November 25, 2024

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

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

Carbon cycling in the North American coastal ocean: a synthesis
  • Katja Fennel, Simone Alin, Leticia Barbero, Wiley Evans, Timothée Bourgeois, Sarah Cooley, John Dunne, Richard A. Feely, Jose Martin Hernandez-Ayon, Xinping Hu, Steven Lohrenz, Frank Muller-Karger, Raymond Najjar, Lisa Robbins, Elizabeth Shadwick, Samantha Siedlecki, Nadja Steiner, Adrienne Sutton, Daniela Turk, Penny Vlahos, Zhaohui Aleck Wang
  • Biogeosciences
  • March 27, 2019
Citation: Fennel, K., Alin, S., Barbero, L., Evans, W., Bourgeois, T., Cooley, S., Dunne, J., Feely, R. A., Hernandez-Ayon, J. M., Hu, X., Lohrenz, S., Muller-Karger, F., Najjar, R., Robbins, L., Shadwick, E., Siedlecki, S., Steiner, N., Sutton, A., Turk, D., Vlahos, P., and Wang, Z. A.: Carbon cycling in the North American coastal ocean: a synthesis, Biogeosciences, 16, 1281–1304, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1281-2019, 2019.
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Eco-physiological responses of copepods and pteropods to ocean warming and acidification
  • J. Engström-Öst, O. Glippa, R. A. Feely, M. Kanerva, J. E. Keister, S. R. Alin, B. R. Carter, A. K. McLaskey, K. A. Vuori & N. Bednaršek
  • Scientific Reports
  • March 18, 2019
Citation: Engström-Öst, J., Glippa, O., Feely, R.A. et al. Eco-physiological responses of copepods and pteropods to ocean warming and acidification. Sci Rep 9, 4748 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-41213-1
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Time of Detection as a Metric for Prioritizing Between Climate Observation Quality, Frequency, and Duration
  • B. R. Carter, N. L. Williams, W. Evans, A. J. Fassbender, L. Barbero, C. Hauri, R. A. Feely, A. J. Sutton
  • Geophysical Research Letters
  • March 13, 2019
Citation: Carter, B. R., Williams, N. L., Evans, W., Fassbender, A. J., Barbero, L., Hauri, C., et al. (2019). Time of detection as a metric for prioritizing between climate observation quality, frequency, and duration. Geophysical Research Letters, 46, 3853–3861. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL080773
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