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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: Northeast

Related Posts

See news related to this Research Region

Assessing the effects of ocean acidification in the Northeast US using an end-to-end marine ecosystem model

The effects of ocean acidification on living marine resources present serious challenges for managers of these resources. An understanding of the ecosystem consequences of ocean acidification is required to assess tradeoffs among ecosystem components (e.g. fishery yield, protected species conservation, sensitive habitat) and adaptations to this perturbation. We used a marine ecosystem model for the Northeast

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Global Observational Needs and Resources for Marine Biodiversity

The diversity of life in the sea is critical to the health of ocean ecosystems that support living resources and therefore essential to the economic, nutritional, recreational, and health needs of billions of people. Yet there is evidence that the biodiversity of many marine habitats is being altered in response to a changing climate and

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High-frequency variability of CO<sub>2</sub> in Grand Passage, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia

Assessing changes in the marine carbon cycle arising from anthropogenic CO2 emissions requires a detailed understanding of the carbonate system’s natural variability. Coastal ecosystems vary over short spatial and temporal scales, so their dynamics are not well described by long-term and broad regional averages. A year-long time series of pCO2, temperature, salinity, and currents is used to quantify

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Rapid warming and salinity changes in the Gulf of Maine alter surface ocean carbonate parameters and hide ocean acidification

A profound warming event in the Gulf of Maine during the last decade has caused sea surface temperatures to rise to levels exceeding any earlier observations recorded in the region over the last 150 years. This event dramatically affected CO2 solubility and, in turn, the status of the sea surface carbonate system. When combined with the concomitant

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Simultaneous onboard analysis of seawater dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration and stable isotope ratio (δ<sup>13</sup>C-DIC)

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and its stable carbon isotope (δ13C-DIC) are valuable parameters for studying the aquatic carbon cycle and quantifying ocean anthropogenic carbon accumulation rates. However, the potential of this coupled pair is underexploited as only 15% or less of cruise samples have been analyzed for δ13C-DIC because the traditional isotope analysis is labor-intensive and

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Effects of Ocean Acidification and Summer Thermal Stress on the Physiology and Growth of the Atlantic Surfclam (<em>Spisula solidissima</em>)

This study examines the physiological response of the Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima) to ocean acidification in warm summer temperatures. Working with ambient seawater, this experiment manipulated pH conditions while maintaining natural diel fluctuations and seasonal shifts in temperature. One-year-old surfclams were exposed to one of three pH conditions (ambient (control): 7.8 ± 0.07, medium: 7.51

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Site-Specific Multiple Stressor Assessments Based on High Frequency Surface Observations and an Earth System Model

Global Earth system models are often enlisted to assess the impacts of climate variability and change on marine ecosystems. In this study, we compare high frequency (daily) outputs of potential ecosystem stressors, such as sea surface temperature and surface pH, and associated variables from an Earth system model (GFDL ESM4.1) with high frequency time series

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Ocean acidification thresholds for decapods are unresolved

A published analysis of ocean acidification thresholds for decapod crustaceans highlights data showing the negative effects of low pH on many species. However, the methods used in the paper have substantial flaws that call into question the proposed thresholds. The quantitative metrics calculated for the meta-analysis are uninformative with respect to pH sensitivity, which raises

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Future Ocean Observations to Connect Climate, Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems

Advances in ocean observing technologies and modeling provide the capacity to revolutionize the management of living marine resources. While traditional fisheries management approaches like single-species stock assessments are still common, a global effort is underway to adopt ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) approaches. These approaches consider changes in the physical environment and interactions between ecosystem elements,

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Related Projects

See our funded projects for this Focus Area

A large coral in American Samoa known as "Big Momma" Credit: NOAA Fisheries
This project provides new ocean acidification education to communities in American Samoa...
Secluded beach with tide pools and algae covered rock formations captured soon after sunrise, Half Moon Bay, California, USA. Credit: Jan Arendtsz (Flickr, CC)
This project provides a hands-on ocean and coastal acidification curriculum to students from coastal communities in Redwood City, California...
California's Humboldt coast as seen from a high vantage near sunset. Fog lingers above the King Range National Conservation Area. Credit: Guest photographer Bob Wick for CA Bureau of Land Management
Broadening Ocean Acidification Teaching and Learning (BOATL) offers teacher professional development and ocean acidification science education to schools and local Tribes...
Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon (2024). Credit: Kevin Crosby (Creative Commons)
This project seeks to address gaps in ocean and environmental education and improve outcomes for Oregon’s underserved and rural youth through the Oregon State University’s Science Math Investigative Learning Experiences..
North Carolina seen from space from MODIS on NASA's Aqua satellite on June 30, 2022
This project delivers ocean acidification education in rural North Carolina Title 1 schools that serve some of the highest Indigenous and underserved populations in the state...
Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Credit: NOAA Fisheries
This project creates a research course for high school students focused on career development, ocean acidification science and stewardship...

Related Publications

See publications produced by our funded projects for this Focus Area

Citation: Smith, A. L., Jessyca LaBadie, Aly Busse, Emilie Solomon, Casie Farrell, Daniel M. Holstein, Zuo George Xue, Philip M. Gravinese. (2024). Will Climate Change Alter the Swimming Behavior of Larval Stone Crabs?: A Guided-Inquiry Lesson. Current The Journal of Marine Education, 39(2). https://doi.org/10.5334/cjme.117
Citation: Shamberger, K. E. F., Feely, R. A., Sabine, C. L., Atkinson, M. J., DeCarlo, E. H., Mackenzie, F. T., Drupp, P. S., & Butterfield, D. A. (2011). Calcification and organic production on a Hawaiian coral reef. Marine Chemistry, 127(1-4), 64-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2011.08.003
Citation: Frölicher, T. L., Joos, F., and Raible, C. C.: Sensitivity of atmospheric CO2 and climate to explosive volcanic eruptions, Biogeosciences, 8, 2317–2339, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-8-2317-2011, 2011.

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

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