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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: West Coast Acidification Research

Related Posts

See news related to this Research Region

Breaking wave in sunlight. Credit: NOAA Ocean Service
Carbon Dioxide Removal

Electrolysis-driven weathering of basic minerals for long-term ocean buffering and CO2 reduction

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, there are important questions about its impacts on the marine environment. A strategic roadmap identifying and addressing concerns about deployment of ocean alkalinity enhancement is

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September 7, 2023
Breaking wave in sunlight. Credit: NOAA Ocean Service
Carbon Dioxide Removal

Assessing the chemical and biological implications of alkalinity enhancement using carbonate salts from captured carbon dioxide to mitigate ocean acidification and enable mCDR

Why we care Energy, manufacturing and deployment costs are critical to the viability of any carbon dioxide removal approach. This research project focuses on a new strategy that promises low energy burden and low manufacturing costs to capture carbon and achieve ocean alkalinity enhancement, essential features for scaling any future efforts of this technology to

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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
Wastewater treatment plant. Courtesy of East Bay Utility District
Carbon Dioxide Removal

Assessing efficacy of electrochemical ocean alkalinity enhancement at an existing outfall using tracer release experiments and oceanographic models

Why we care Adding alkalinity to the ocean may provide a safe and effective approach to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Assessing the efficacy and efficiency of ocean alkalinity enhancement are essential steps to ensuring that this method of carbon dioxide removal can contribute to mitigating climate change and ocean acidification.  What we will

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September 7, 2023

Related Projects

See our funded projects for this Focus Area

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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
Tidal wetlands as a low pH environment for accelerated and scalable olivine dissolution
  • PI(s): Kevin Kroeger
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023

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..

Project Summary >
Assessing the chemical and biological implications of alkalinity enhancement using carbonate salts from captured carbon dioxide to mitigate ocean acidification and enable mCDR
  • PI(s): Andrew Dickson
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023

Why we care Energy, manufacturing and deployment costs are critical to the viability of any carbon dioxide removal approach. This research project focuses on a new strategy that promises low..

Project Summary >

Related Publications

See publications produced by our funded projects for this Focus Area

Comparison of discrete and underway CO2 measurements: Inferences on the temperature dependence of the fugacity of CO2 in seawater
  • Rik Wanninkhof, Denis Pierrot, Kevin Sullivan, Patrick Mears, Leticia Barbero
  • Marine Chemistry
  • December 20, 2022
Citation: Wanninkhof, R., D. Pierrot, K. Sullivan, P. Mears, L. Barbero (2022). “Comparison of discrete and underway CO2 measurements: Inferences on the temperature dependence of the fugacity of CO2 in seawater.” Marine Chemistry 247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2022.104178 Cooperative Institute of the University of Miami and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, cooperative agreement # NA20OAR4320472
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California shellfish farmers: Perceptions of changing ocean conditions and strategies for adaptive capacity
Citation: Ward, M. S., Ana; Levine, Arielle; Wolters, Erika Allen (2022). “California shellfish farmers: Perceptions of changing ocean conditions and strategies for adaptive capacity.” Ocean & Coastal Management 225(106155). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106155 NOAA [GN# NA20OAR0170490]
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Adult snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, display body‑wide exoskeletal resistance to the effects of long‑term ocean acidification
  • Tait Algayer, Ahmed Mahmoud, Sanjana Saksena, W. Christopher Long, Katherine M. Swiney, Robert J. Foy, Brittan V. Steffel, Kathryn E. Smith, Richard B. Aronson & Gary H. Dickinson
  • Marine Biology
  • April 20, 2023
  • Snow crab
Citation: Algayer, T. A. M., Sanjana Saksena, W. Christopher Long, Katherine M. Swiney, Robert J. Foy, Brittan V. Stefel, Kathryn E. Smith, Richard B. Aronson, Gary H. Dickinson (2023). “Adult snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, display body‑wide exoskeletal resistance to the effects of long‑term ocean acidification.” Marine Biology 170(63). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04209-0
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