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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: Mid-Atlantic

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

Building the Knowledge-to-Action Pipeline in North America: Connecting Ocean Acidification Research and Actionable Decision Support

Ocean acidification (OA) describes the progressive decrease in the pH of seawater and other cascading chemical changes resulting from oceanic uptake of atmospheric carbon. These changes can have important implications for marine ecosystems, creating risk for commercial industries, subsistence communities, cultural practices, and recreation. Characterizing the extent of acidification and predicting the ramifications for marine

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November 25, 2024

Time of Emergence of Surface Ocean Carbon Dioxide Trends in the North American Coastal Margins in Support of Ocean Acidification Observing System Design

Time of Emergence (ToE) is the time when a signal emerges from the noise of natural variability. Commonly used in climate science for the detection of anthropogenic forcing, this concept has recently been applied to geochemical variables, to assess the emerging times of anthropogenic ocean acidification (OA), mostly in the open ocean using global climate

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November 25, 2024

Controls on surface water carbonate chemistry along North American ocean margins

Syntheses of carbonate chemistry spatial patterns are important for predicting ocean acidification impacts, but are lacking in coastal oceans. Here, we show that along the North American Atlantic and Gulf coasts the meridional distributions of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and carbonate mineral saturation state (Ω) are controlled by partial equilibrium with the atmosphere resulting in

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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

The challenges of detecting and attributing ocean acidification impacts on marine ecosystems

A substantial body of research now exists demonstrating sensitivities of marine organisms to ocean acidification (OA) in laboratory settings. However, corresponding in situ observations of marine species or ecosystem changes that can be unequivocally attributed to anthropogenic OA are limited. Challenges remain in detecting and attributing OA effects in nature, in part because multiple environmental changes are

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November 7, 2024

Challenges in Quantifying Air-Water Carbon Dioxide Flux Using Estuarine Water Quality Data: Case Study for Chesapeake Bay

Carbon dioxide (CO2), an important greenhouse gas, is transferred from most estuaries to the atmosphere at a poorly known but potentially large rate. The difficulty in accurately quantifying the transfer is the lack of data of the amount of CO2 in estuarine surface waters. We evaluated the proposition that the abundance of historical water quality measurements

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November 7, 2024

Understanding Anthropogenic Impacts on pH and Aragonite Saturation State in Chesapeake Bay: Insights From a 30-Year Model Study

Ocean acidification (OA) is often defined as the gradual decline in pH and aragonite saturation state (ΩAr) for open ocean waters as a result of increasing atmospheric pCO2. Potential long-term trends in pH and ΩAr in estuarine environments are often obscured by a variety of other factors, including changes in watershed land use and associated riverine carbonate

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November 6, 2024

Related Projects

See our funded projects for this Focus Area

A full view of a sea scallop sitting on top of a pile of sea scallops shells.
Enhancing the adaptive capacity of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery
  • PI(s): Samantha Siedlecki, University of Connecticut; Shannon Meseck, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service; Robert Murphy Jr, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017C0010-T1-01
This project will enhance the adaptive capacity of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery to ocean acidification and ocean change...
Project Summary >
A satellite map of the Chesapeake Bay region. The waterways are color coded to show degrees of alkalinity, with the general trend of higher alkalinity upriver and lower alkalinity toward the ocean.
OA adaptation strategies for shellfish aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay
  • PI(s): Emily Rivest, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0008-T1-01
This project produces a dashboard for Chesapeake Bay users to assist with adaptive strategies for ocean and coastal acidification...
Project Summary >
Satellite view of the Mississippi River plume in the Gulf of America. You can see sediment discharging into the Gulf. Credit: NASA
Assessing ocean and coastal acidification resilience in Louisiana
  • PI(s): Robert Iles, Louisiana State University
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0012-T1-01
This work will assess the economic and community impacts of ocean and coastal acidification within coastal Louisiana to assist adaptive planning...
Project Summary >
Intertidal marine life including Pisaster sea stars and mussles, partially submerged on a rock.
Developing tools for resiliency planning in Southeast Alaska
  • PI(s): Hekia Bodwitch (University of Alaska Southeast), Davin Holen (Alaska Sea Grant and University of Alaska, Fairbanks), Kari Lanphier (Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research Consortium)
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0010-T1-01
This project provides tools communities and decision makers in Southeast Alaska can use for assessing vulnerability and resilience to ocean acidification and inform adaptive strategies...
Project Summary >
Sunrise on a coastal town in Maine
Advancing resilience of Maine’s shellfisheries
  • PI(s): Katherine Mills, Gulf of Maine Research Institute; Jared Wildwistle, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0019-T1-01
This project assesses the potential risk to the shellfish industry from changing ocean chemistry and is a critical step in advancing resilience in Maine’s shellfisheries...
Project Summary >
Ruby beach as seen from a lookout, there are high cliffs in the foreground with partially submerged large and small rocks in the water behind them. Sky is dusky and cloudy.
Tools informing ocean change planning for Tribal managers in coastal Washington
  • PI(s): Jan Newton, University of Washington
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0016-T1-01
This project provides practical information and products to support adaptation planning for coastal tribes in Washington...
Project Summary >

Related Publications

See publications produced by our funded projects for this Focus Area

Modeling the spatiotemporal effects of ocean acidification and warming on Atlantic sea scallop growth to guide adaptive fisheries management
  • Halle M. Berger, Samantha A. Siedlecki, Shannon L. Meseck, Emilien Pousse, Deborah R. Hart, Felipe Soares, Antonie Chute, Catherine M. Matassa
  • Ecological Modelling
  • December 13, 2025
Citation: Halle M. Berger, Samantha A. Siedlecki, Shannon L. Meseck, Emilien Pousse, Deborah R. Hart, Felipe Soares, Antonie Chute, Catherine M. Matassa, Modeling the spatiotemporal effects of ocean acidification and warming on Atlantic sea scallop growth to guide adaptive fisheries management, Ecological Modelling, Volume 513, 2026, 111434, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2025.111434.
Read Summary >
Mothers know best: Maternal signaling boosts larval resilience under ocean acidification conditions
  • Emma Timmins-Schiffman, Larken Root, Ryan Crim, Mollie A. Middleton, Megan M. Ewing, Jacob Winnikoff, Gracelyn Ham, Giles Goetz, Steven Roberts, Mackenzie R. Gavery
  • Aquaculture
  • February 1, 2026
Citation: Timmins-Schiffman, E., Root, L., Crim, R., Middleton, M. A., Ewing, M. M., Winnikoff, J., Ham, G., Goetz, G., Roberts, S., & Gavery, M. (2026). Mothers know best: Maternal signaling boosts larval resilience under ocean acidification conditions. Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.743388
Read Summary >
Assessment framework to predict sensitivity of marine calcifiers to ocean alkalinity enhancement – identification of biological thresholds and importance of precautionary principle
  • Nina Bednaršek, Hanna van de Mortel, Greg Pelletier, Marisol García-Reyes, Richard A. Feely, Andrew G. Dickson
  • Biogeosciences
  • January 28, 2025
Citation: Bednaršek, N., van de Mortel, H., Pelletier, G., García-Reyes, M., Feely, R. A., and Dickson, A. G.: Assessment framework to predict sensitivity of marine calcifiers to ocean alkalinity enhancement – identification of biological thresholds and importance of precautionary principle, Biogeosciences, 22, 473–498, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-473-2025, 2025.
Read Summary >

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