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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: New England & Mid-Atlantic Bight

Related Posts

See news related to this Research Region

Terrestrial liming at golf courses serve as testbeds for this method for carbon capture and mitigating acidification. Credit: Your Golf Travel (Creative Commons)
Carbon Dioxide Removal

An opportunity to study Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement, carbon dioxide removal, and ecosystem impacts through coastal liming

Why we care Terrestrial liming, or the addition of a basic (alkaline) material like calcium carbonate to crops and lawns is a common agricultural soil treatment. When applied on land in the coastal zone, this alkalinity likely influences neighboring bodies of water and may foster carbon dioxide removal and mitigate local ocean acidification. This project

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September 7, 2023
Coastal marsh at sunrise. Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Carbon Dioxide Removal

Tidal wetlands as a low pH environment for accelerated and scalable olivine dissolution

Why we care Enhanced weathering is a carbon capture technology that increases ocean alkalinity by adding rocks with ultrabasic minerals, particularly in ecosystems like wetlands and mangroves. This project examines the safety, efficacy, and potential for large-scale implementation of enhanced weathering in tidal wetlands to enhance weathering as a method of carbon dioxide removal and

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September 7, 2023
Phytoplankton, most likely coccolithophors, in the Atlantic on 15 Feb 2006. Credit: NASA
Carbon Dioxide Removal

Assessing the laboratory and field responses of diatoms and coccolithophores to ocean alkalinity enhancement

Why we care Ocean alkalinity enhancement relies on modifying the acid-base properties of seawater to remove carbon dioxide, however the effect of this strategy on primary productivity, cell physiology, and carbon export remain unknown. These impacts are not only potential ecosystem effects, but may influence the efficiency of carbon dioxide removal. This research focuses on

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September 7, 2023
The colder water assemblage of foraminifera. T. quinqueloba, N. incompta and G. falconensis are common. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Carbon Dioxide Removal

Determining the Influence of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement on Foraminifera Calcification, Distribution, and Calcium carbonate Production

Why we care Foraminifera, or forams, are single-celled organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells and play a crucial role in the ocean’s carbon cycle. Ocean alkalinity enhancement aims to increase the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide by enhancing its buffering capacity. However, the impact of the addition of alkalinity on foraminifera is not well

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September 7, 2023
Methane seeps from the benthos in the Atlantic. Credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration
Carbon Dioxide Removal

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

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

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September 7, 2023
Gliders can sample ocean conditions and track impacts of ocean alkalinity enhancement methods. Credit: NOAA AOML
Carbon Dioxide Removal

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

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

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September 7, 2023
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
Coastal Acidification

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

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

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September 7, 2023
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)
Carbon Dioxide Removal

Coupling Desalination with Novel mCDR Membranes

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

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September 7, 2023

Related Projects

See our funded projects for this Focus Area

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

Why we care:Alaskan Native communities rely on healthy marine ecosystems for work, sustenance and their way of life. Ocean acidification has documented impacts to marine life and these communities. An..

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

Why we care:Alaskan Native communities rely on healthy marine ecosystems for work, sustenance and their way of life. Ocean acidification has documented impacts to marine life and these communities. Community..

Project Summary >
Fisherman pulling up sugar kelp. Seaweed cultivation may be one avenue for marine carbon dioxide removal and mitigating ocean acidification. Credit: GreenWave/Ron Gautreau.
Carbon capture and ocean acidification mitigation potential by seaweed farms in tropical and subtropical coastal environments
  • PI(s): Andreas Andersson
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023

Award amount: $1,451,575Duration: 3 yearsFunding agency: NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP), National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) Why we care Growing seaweed in the ocean could be one way to alleviate some..

Project Summary >
Plankton bloom seen from space. Credit: NASA
Multiscale observing system simulation experiments for iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean, Equatorial Pacific, and Northeast Pacific
  • PI(s): Dennis McGillicuddy
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023

Why we care Iron is a critical limiting nutrient for phytoplankton in the ocean. Iron fertilization adds this limiting nutrient to promote phytoplankton blooms as a way to take up..

Project Summary >
Breaking wave in sunlight. Credit: NOAA Ocean Service
Electrolysis-driven weathering of basic minerals for long-term ocean buffering and CO2 reduction
  • PI(s): Burke Hales
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023

Why we care Ocean alkalinity enhancement has the potential to capture carbon and mitigate ocean acidification. While ocean alkalinity enhancement is a promising approach for removing carbon from the atmosphere,..

Project Summary >
Terrestrial liming at golf courses serve as testbeds for this method for carbon capture and mitigating acidification. Credit: Your Golf Travel (Creative Commons)
An opportunity to study Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement, carbon dioxide removal, and ecosystem impacts through coastal liming
  • PI(s): Jaime Palter
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023

Why we care Terrestrial liming, or the addition of a basic (alkaline) material like calcium carbonate to crops and lawns is a common agricultural soil treatment. When applied on land..

Project Summary >

Related Publications

See publications produced by our funded projects for this Focus Area

Using Global-Scale Earth System Models for Regional Fisheries Applications
  • Kelly A. Kearney, Steven J. Bograd, Elizabeth Drenkard, Fabian A. Gomez, Melissa Haltuch, Albert J. Hermann, Michael G. Jacox, Isaac C. Kaplan, Stefan Koenigstein, Jessica Y. Luo, Michelle Masi, Barbara Muhling, Mercedes Pozo Buil, Phoebe A. Woodworth-Jefcoats
  • Frontiers in Marine Science
  • August 26, 2021
Citation: Kearney KA, Bograd SJ, Drenkard E, Gomez FA, Haltuch M, Hermann AJ, Jacox MG, Kaplan IC, Koenigstein S, Luo JY, Masi M, Muhling B, Pozo Buil M and Woodworth-Jefcoats PA (2021) Using Global-Scale Earth System Models for Regional Fisheries Applications. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:622206. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.622206
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Novel and disappearing climates in the global surface ocean from 1800 to 2100
Citation: Lotterhos, K.E., Láruson, Á.J. & Jiang, LQ. Novel and disappearing climates in the global surface ocean from 1800 to 2100. Sci Rep 11, 15535 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94872-4
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Why are Surface Ocean pH and CaCO3 Saturation State Often out of Phase in Spatial Patterns and Seasonal Cycles?
Citation: Xue, L., Cai, W.-J., Jiang, L.-Q., & Wei, Q. (2021). Why are surface ocean pH and CaCO3 saturation state often out of phase in spatial patterns and seasonal cycles? Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 35, e2021GB006949. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GB006949
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