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NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program Research Region

Region: West Coast

Related Posts

See news related to this Research Region

Air–sea exchange of CO<sub>2</sub> at a Northern California coastal site along the California Current upwelling system

It is not well understood whether coastal upwelling is a net CO2 source to the atmosphere or a net CO2 sink to the ocean due to high temporal variability of air–sea CO2 exchange (CO2 flux) in coastal upwelling zones. Upwelling transports heterotrophic, CO2 enriched water to the surface and releases CO2 to the atmosphere, whereas the presence of nutrient-rich water at

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January 3, 2025

Potential impacts of ocean acidification on the Puget Sound food web

Ecosystem impacts of ocean acidification (OA) were explored by imposing scenarios designed to mimic OA on a food web model of Puget Sound, a large estuary in northwestern USA. The productivity of functional groups containing mostly calcifiers was decreased while still allowing other species groups to respond to the scenarios in a dynamic way through

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January 3, 2025

Autonomous Ocean Measurements in the California Current Ecosystem

Event-scale phenomena, of limited temporal duration or restricted spatial extent, often play a disproportionately large role in ecological processes occurring in the ocean water column. Nutrient and gas fluxes, upwelling and downwelling, transport of biogeochemically important elements, predator-prey interactions, and other processes may be markedly influenced by such events, which are inadequately resolved from infrequent

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January 3, 2025

Seawater pH measurements in the field: A DIY photometer with 0.01 unit pH accuracy

A portable light-emitting-diode (LED) photometer has been developed to provide low-cost seawater pH measurements. The benefits of the new system include a simple “do-it-yourself” construction design, a hundredfold reduction in cost relative to benchtop spectrophotometric systems, routine calibration-free operation in the field, and precision and accuracy well suited to applications such as education, coastal zone

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January 3, 2025

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

Science integration into US climate and ocean policy

The pace of environmental change lends urgency to the need for integration of climate considerations into ocean policy and management. A recent rapid expansion of ocean and climate policies provides a timely window of opportunity for the scientific community to inform and support these efforts. Lessons can be learned from successful initiatives, where scientists are

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January 3, 2025

Shell Condition and Survival of Puget Sound Pteropods Are Impaired by Ocean Acidification Conditions

We tested whether the thecosome pteropod Limacina helicina from Puget Sound, an urbanized estuary in the northwest continental US, experiences shell dissolution and altered mortality rates when exposed to the high CO2, low aragonite saturation state (Ωa) conditions that occur in Puget Sound and the northeast Pacific Ocean. Five, week-long experiments were conducted in which we incubated

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January 3, 2025

Related Projects

See our funded projects for this Focus Area

A large coral in American Samoa known as "Big Momma" Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Fatoata: Sami a Taeao (Tomorrow’s Ocean)
  • PI(s): Vera Peck, Fatoata
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0001-T1-01
This project provides new ocean acidification education to communities in American Samoa...
Project Summary >
Secluded beach with tide pools and algae covered rock formations captured soon after sunrise, Half Moon Bay, California, USA. Credit: Jan Arendtsz (Flickr, CC)
Ocean Acidification Science in Schools (OASIS)
  • PI(s): Karen Peluso-Galaviz, Marine Science Institute
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0004-T1-01
This project provides a hands-on ocean and coastal acidification curriculum to students from coastal communities in Redwood City, California...
Project Summary >
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)
  • PI(s): Julie Van Sickle, Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt, Jeffrey White, Cal Poly Humboldt
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0005-T1-01
Broadening Ocean Acidification Teaching and Learning (BOATL) offers teacher professional development and ocean acidification science education to schools and local Tribes...
Project Summary >
Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon (2024). Credit: Kevin Crosby (Creative Commons)
SMILE: Ocean Acidification Education Program
  • PI(s): Jay Well, Oregon State University
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0003-T1-01
This project seeks to address gaps in ocean and environmental education and improve outcomes for Oregon’s youth through the Oregon State University’s Science Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) Program...
Project Summary >
North Carolina seen from space from MODIS on NASA's Aqua satellite on June 30, 2022
Discovering Ocean Acidification and Ocean Literacy Principles for Underserved Areas in Rural North Carolina
  • PI(s): Erika Young, North Carolina State University, Courtney Lamb, Littlefield Middle School
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0002-T1-01
This project delivers ocean acidification education in rural North Carolina schools...
Project Summary >
Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Alabama Oysters Taste Best with Tabasco, Not Ocean Acidification
  • PI(s): Rebecca Domangue, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Foundation
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0005-T1-01
This project creates a research course for high school students focused on career development, ocean acidification science and stewardship...
Project Summary >

Related Publications

See publications produced by our funded projects for this Focus Area

Ocean acidification may contribute to recruitment failure of Bering Sea red king crab
Citation: Litzow, Michael & Long, W. & Palof, Katie & Pilcher, Darren. (2025). Ocean acidification may contribute to recruitment failure of Bering Sea red king crab. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 82. 1-7. 10.1139/cjfas-2024-0173.
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Will Climate Change Alter the Swimming Behavior of Larval Stone Crabs?: A Guided-Inquiry Lesson
  • Abigail L. Smith, Jessyca LaBadie, Aly Busse, Emilie Solomon, Casie Farrell, Daniel M. Holstein, Zuo George Xue, Philip M. Gravinese
  • Current The Journal of Marine Education
  • December 11, 2024
  • Stone Crab
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
Read Summary >
Calcification and organic production on a Hawaiian coral reef
  • K.E.F. Shamberger, R.A. Feely, C.L. Sabine, M.J. Atkinson, E.H. DeCarlo, F.T. Mackenzie, P.S. Drupp, D.A. Butterfield
  • Marine Chemistry
  • August 17, 2011
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
Read Summary >

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

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