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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: North Atlantic

Related Posts

See news related to this Research Region

Interannual sea–air CO<sub>2</sub> flux variability from an observation-driven ocean mixed-layer scheme

Interannual anomalies in the sea–air carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange have been estimated from surface-ocean CO2 partial pressure measurements. Available data are sufficient to constrain these anomalies in large parts of the tropical and North Pacific and in the North Atlantic, in some areas covering the period from the mid 1980s to 2011. Global interannual variability is

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January 3, 2025

Global ocean conveyor lowers extinction risk in the deep sea

General paradigms of species extinction risk are urgently needed as global habitat loss and rapid climate change threaten Earth with what could be its sixth mass extinction. Using the stony coral Lophelia pertusa as a model organism with the potential for wide larval dispersal, we investigated how the global ocean conveyor drove an unprecedented post-glacial range expansion in Earth׳s largest

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January 3, 2025

State of the Climate in 2013

In 2013, the vast majority of the monitored climate variables reported here maintained trends established in recent decades. ENSO was in a neutral state during the entire year, remaining mostly on the cool side of neutral with modest impacts on regional weather patterns aroundthe world. This follows several years dominated by the effects of either

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January 3, 2025

An update to the Surface Ocean CO<sub>2</sub> Atlas (SOCAT version 2)

The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT), an activity of the international marine carbon research community, provides access to synthesis and gridded fCO2 (fugacity of carbon dioxide) products for the surface oceans. Version 2 of SOCAT is an update of the previous release (version 1) with more data (increased from 6.3 million to 10.1 million surface water fCO2 values) and

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January 3, 2025

Seasonal Carbonate Chemistry Covariation with Temperature, Oxygen, and Salinity in a Fjord Estuary: Implications for the Design of Ocean Acidification Experiments

Carbonate chemistry variability is often poorly characterized in coastal regions and patterns of covariation with other biologically important variables such as temperature, oxygen concentration, and salinity are rarely evaluated. This absence of information hampers the design and interpretation of ocean acidification experiments that aim to characterize biological responses to future pCO2 levels relative to contemporary conditions.

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January 3, 2025

A simplified coulometric method for multi-sample measurements of total dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in marine waters

A new system requiring greatly reduced operator intervention has been developed for the determination of dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in marine waters. Based on a coulometric method, the system has an accuracy and precision comparable to more complex and expensive methods currently employed. A syringe pump equipped with a 12-port distribution valve is used to

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January 3, 2025

Transdisciplinary Science: A Path to Understanding the Interactions Among Ocean Acidification, Ecosystems, and Society

The global nature of ocean acidification (OA) transcends habitats, ecosystems, regions, and science disciplines. The scientific community recognizes that the biggest challenge in improving understanding of how changing OA conditions affect ecosystems, and associated consequences for human society, requires integration of experimental, observational, and modeling approaches from many disciplines over a wide range of temporal and

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January 2, 2025

How Can Present and Future Satellite Missions Support Scientific Studies that Address Ocean Acidification?

Space-based observations offer unique capabilities for studying spatial and temporal dynamics of the upper ocean inorganic carbon cycle and, in turn, supporting research tied to ocean acidification (OA). Satellite sensors measuring sea surface temperature, color, salinity, wind, waves, currents, and sea level enable a fuller understanding of a range of physical, chemical, and biological phenomena

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January 2, 2025

Transcriptome-wide analysis of the response of the thecosome pteropod <em>Clio pyramidata</em> to short-term CO<sub>2</sub> exposure

Thecosome pteropods, a group of calcifying holoplanktonic mollusks, have recently become a research focus due to their potential sensitivity to increased levels of anthropogenic dissolved CO2 in seawater and the accompanying ocean acidification. Some populations, however, already experience high CO2 in their natural distribution during diel vertical migrations. To achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms of pteropod calcification and physiological response to

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January 2, 2025

Effects of CO2 on growth rate, C:N:P, and fatty acid composition of seven marine phytoplankton species

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary substrate for photosynthesis by the phytoplankton that form the base of the marine food web and mediate biogeochemical cycling of C and nutrient elements. Specific growth rate and elemental composition (C:N:P) were characterized for 7 cosmopolitan coastal and oceanic phytoplankton species (5 diatoms and 2 chlorophytes) using low density,

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January 2, 2025

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