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Research Regions

Arctic

The ecosystems in the Arctic Region are critical for cultural preservation and the support of commercial fisheries in Alaska. Understanding the relation of ocean acidification in this region will help inform and develop regional adaptation strategies for communities and fisheries management decisions.

Understanding Arctic OA to explore opportunities and preserve resources

Ocean acidification (OA) is rapidly advancing in the Arctic, which includes the broad continental shelf areas surrounding northern Alaska, including the Northern Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas. OA in this region is influenced by increasing concentrations of carbon dissolving in cold surface waters, regional changes in seawater chemistry, sea ice melt and riverine input as well as seasonal fluctuations in productivity. The Arctic and its marine ecosystems provide food and cultural identity to subsistence communities that call the Alaskan Arctic home. While the U.S. Arctic is not currently home to a commercial fishery, northward migration of major fisheries stocks such as Alaska pollock and Pacific cod from the Eastern Bering Sea may support a commercial fishery in the future. Some of these species may be resilient whereas others more susceptible to ocean acidification.

Two researchers sampling OA in the Arctic
View FULL Research Plan (PDF)

Tracking progress of ocean acidification research in the Arctic

Map of North America highlighting the Arctic region
The Arctic Region includes the broad continental shelf areas surrounding northern Alaska, including the Northern Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas

The research goals in the Arctic Region are to:

  • Support targeted ocean acidification monitoring to increase understanding of progression and processes driving ocean acidification in the vast region of the Arctic and to inform regional models
  • Conduct laboratory studies on the sensitivity and resilience of economically and ecologically important species to better understand ecosystem-level responses to ocean acidification and prudent management approaches
  • Use physical and biological understanding of Arctic ocean acidification to inform and develop regional adaptation strategies for communities and fisheries management decisions

The following charts represent the mid-point progress in implementing research actions that focus on the Arctic Region according to the NOAA Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Acidification Research Plan.

NOAA invests in research and activities toward meeting goals that improve our ability to understand and predict environmental change, species and ecosystem to response to changing ocean chemistry, and the human impacts of these changes. The report card below summarizes progress over the past five years toward meeting these goals for the Arctic Region, measured by the number of major actions toward meeting this goal: good progress (4+ actions), some progress (1-3 actions) and no known progress.

Good overall progress

Some progress

No known progress

Environmental Change

There are six environmental change actions: three have made some progress and three have no known progress.

Biological Sensisitivity

There are nine biological sensitivity actions: one has good overall progress, five have made some progress and three have no known progress.

Human Dimensions

There are two human dimension actions: two have good overall progress.

Featured Research Projects

Environmental Change
Ice-covered waters: connecting sea ice with ocean carbon systems
View Project
Biological Sensitivity
Sensitivity of Arctic cod to ocean acidification
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Human Dimensions
Alaskan tribal communities increase ocean acidification monitoring capacity
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Partners in Understanding Ocean Acidification in the Arctic Region

Launched in 2016, the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network (AOAN) aims to expand the understanding of ocean acidification processes and consequences in Alaska and Arctic Region, as well as potential adaptation and mitigation actions. The network is the fourth regional ocean acidification network in the U. S. The AOAN connects scientists and stakeholder communities to recommend regional priorities, share data, and determine best practices for monitoring. Among the roles of the network is hosting a comprehensive website with resources for both researchers and the general public. 

Get Involved
Alaska Ocean Acidification Network

OAP Funded Projects

Islands and land surrounded by water along the Sitka coast taken in 2023 by Mariano Mantel (Creative Commons)
4-H pH: Ocean Acidification Education in Alaska
  • PI(s): Natalie Monacci, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA24OARX017G0014-T1-01
This project creates and delivers an ocean acidification curriculum with 4-H in Sitka and Lingít Aaní Alaska to serve Alaskan youth...
Project Summary >
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
This Alaska Sea Grant project increases ocean acidification monitoring capacity and assess vulnerability of Alaskan Tribes to ocean acidification...
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
This work will identify specific ocean acidification monitoring and support needs by Kodiak Tribes,. Additionally, it supports the career development of an Alaska Sea Grant fellow and increase capacity in..
Project Summary >
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Latest Publications

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.
Read Summary >
Ocean acidification thresholds for decapods are unresolved
Citation: McElhany, P. a. S. B. (2024). Ocean acidification thresholds for decapods are unresolved. Front. Mar. Sci. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1449345
Read Summary >
Climatological distribution of ocean acidification variables along the North American ocean margins
  • Li-Qing Jiang, Tim P. Boyer, Christopher R. Paver, Hyelim Yoo, James R. Reagan, Simone R. Alin, Leticia Barbero, Brendan R. Carter, Richard A. Feely, Rik Wanninkhof
  • Earth System Science Data
  • July 24, 2024
Citation: Jiang, L.-Q., Boyer, T. P., Paver, C. R., Yoo, H., Reagan, J. R., Alin, S. R., Barbero, L., Carter, B. R., Feely, R. A., and Wanninkhof, R.: Climatological distribution of ocean acidification variables along the North American ocean margins, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 3383–3390, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3383-2024, 2024.
Read Summary >
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Get involved with ocean acidification

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program exists to meet the ocean acidification research and monitoring needs of the U.S. See how you can get involved to serve your community and participate in cutting-edge research and education and outreach. 

Get involved

Ice-covered waters: connecting sea ice with ocean carbon systems

Saildrone in Arctic waters
Image credit: NOAA PMEL

Models are an important tool for understanding ocean acidification in the Arctic, where it is difficult to collect observations. However, more research is needed to evaluate the best way to incorporate the relationship between the ice and ocean carbon systems into models. In a collaborative project funded by NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, researchers compare two models with different settings to assess impacts in modeling the carbon system in the Bering Sea. The project also evaluates the model using observations collected by Saildrones, autonomous vehicles that provide high spatiotemporal coverage. This project will improve ocean acidification models for the Sub-Arctic and Arctic, enhancing capacity for ocean acidification projections in ice-covered waters.

Sensitivity of Arctic cod to ocean acidification

Juvenile Arctic cod
Image credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration

Arctic cod is a keystone species throughout Arctic ecosystems. Productivity could be negatively affected by ocean acidification. Scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center study the effects of ocean acidification on Arctic cod reproduction and offspring viability. Understanding the influence on reproduction is a first step in identifying the potential of Arctic cod and other fish to acclimate and adapt, which can inform forecasts of population level effects of ocean acidification.

More about this work funded by the Ocean Acidification Program and Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

Alaskan tribal communities increase ocean acidification monitoring capacity

Sitka Coastline
Image credit: Mandy Lindeberg, NOAA NMFS

A community sampling program is filling critical gaps in ocean acidification monitoring in Alaska waters. About 20 communities across the state collect weekly water samples in areas of community importance. This work, coordinated and implemented by Tribes in the region, provide baseline data in areas important for harvesting shellfish and other species of subsistence and cultural value. The Alaska Ocean Acidification Network leads a Tribal Monitoring Working Group to help with coordination, technical assistance and data interpretation. NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program support these efforts, in addition to the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs and other funding partners beyond NOAA.

Bioeconomic modeling to inform Alaska fisheries management

Fishing Dock in Juneau Alaska
Image credit: Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS

Bioeconomic models are a multidisciplinary tool that use oceanography, fisheries science and social science to assess socioeconomic impacts. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center use a bioeconomic model to study the impacts of ocean acidification on Eastern Bering Sea crab, northern rock sole and Alaska cod. The goal is to predict how ocean acidification will affect abundance yields and income generated by the fisheries. This work informs the potential economic impacts of ocean acidification and future decision making and research planning.

More about this work

Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs

Red King Crab
Image credit: David Csepp, NMFS AKFSC ABL

Long-term declines of red king crab in Bristol Bay, Alaska may be partially attributed to ocean acidification conditions. These impacts may be partially responsible for the fishery closures during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. Researchers found that ocean acidification negatively impacts Alaskan crabs generally by changing physiological processes, decreasing growth, increasing death rates and reducing shell thickness. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue to investigate the responses of early life history stages and study the potential of various Alaska crabs to acclimate to changing conditions. Results will inform models that will use the parameters studied to predict the effects of future ocean acidification on the populations of red king crab in Bristol Bay as well as on the fisheries that depend on them. Fishery managers will better be able to anticipate and manage stocks if changing ocean chemistry affects stock productivity and thus the maximum sustainable yield.

More about this work

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