Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

New research plan sets the course for NOAA’s ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes acidification science

Background image: NOAA dive team installs scientific observing instrumentation in Papa Bay, Hawai’i Island

Today, NOAA unveiled its new 10-year research roadmap to help the nation’s scientists, resource managers, and coastal communities address acidification of the open ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.

“Ocean acidification puts the United States’ $1 billion shellfish industry and hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk,” said Kenric Osgood, Ph.D., chief of the Marine Ecosystems Division, Office of Science and Technology at NOAA Fisheries Service. “Understanding how ocean acidification will affect marine life and the jobs and communities that depend on it is critical to a healthy ocean and blue economy.”

Background Image: Commercial shrimping vessel

The research plan sets out three major objectives for ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes acidification research, and includes regional chapters for coastal zones around the U.S., Great Lakes, territories – including Puerto Rico and American Samoa – and deep ocean regions. The three national research objectives are:

1) Expand and advance observing systems and technologies to improve the understanding of and ability to predict acidification trends and processes;

2) Understand the ways acidification is impacting ecologically and economically important species and the ecosystems they live in, and improve our ability to predict how these ecosystems and species may respond to acidification and other stressors; and

3) Identify and engage stakeholders and partners, assess needs, and generate products and tools that support management decisions, adaptation, and resilience to acidification.

Background Image: A NOAA Realtime Coastal Observation Network (ReCON) buoy being serviced in Lake Erie. 

Acidification is driven by atmospheric carbon dioxide being absorbed by the ocean and Great Lakes. It has caused global-scale changes in ocean and freshwater chemistry that are driving ecological impacts and resulting in social and economic effects. Coastal ocean regions and the Great Lakes are especially impacted by local pollution sources and processes, which can exacerbate acidification.

“To date, Great Lakes acidification has received relatively less research attention than ocean acidification. However, Great Lakes acidification has the potential to influence the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms as well as disturb lower levels of the food web, which can impact the productivity of recreational and commercial fisheries,” said Deborah Lee, director of the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.

Background Image: Fish seining at Muskegon State Park on Lake Michigan.

For the last decade, NOAA has taken a leadership role in supporting and conducting ocean acidification research and monitoring to determine the potential consequences for marine organisms and ecosystems, assess socioeconomic impacts, and support adaptation and management decisions to conserve marine ecosystems. The 2020-2029 NOAA Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Research Plan charts the agency’s course for expanding our understanding of acidification and its impacts.

“Changes in ocean acidification could have significant ramifications on our marine ecosystems and the services they provide. Understanding potential and actual impacts to ecologically, culturally, and economically important resources is critical in our effort to protect sanctuary resources and support local and regional economies,” said Mitchell Tart, division chief for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. “This 10-year research plan lays out a clear framework for NOAA and its partners to study, understand, and address the changes in and impacts from acidification.”

Background Image: A diver ascending from a shellfish survey finds himself in a kelp forest off Santa Cruz Island, California.

Over the last decade, NOAA has monitored chemistry changes in remote coral reef ecosystems, gained insight into how ocean chemistry has changed over the centuries, and increased understanding of how acidification may impact valuable US fisheries. The new plan builds upon accomplishments made over the last 10 years and responds to emerging questions in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes acidification science.

“We have made much progress over the last 10 years in better understanding ocean and coastal acidification, but we still have many more questions to answer. The gaps in our knowledge at the local level are particularly important because that is where marine resources affect human communities most directly,” said Libby Jewett, Ph.D., director of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program and coordinating editor of the research plan. “This plan provides a series of regional, national, and international goals which will enable NOAA to make progress over the decade to come.”

Background Image: NOAA research diver in Fagatele Bay’s vibrant coral reef ecosystem in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

The plan highlights the importance of NOAA’s collaborations with international, interagency, and external academic and industry research partners, which have contributed vastly to our collective understanding of acidification. A team of more than 80 NOAA authors and non-NOAA technical contributors crafted the research plan.

“NOAA’s Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Acidification Research Plan ushers the agency and its partners into an exciting second decade of research that will foster continued growth in our understanding of acidification and its impacts to communities and economies,” said Emily Osborne, Ph.D., of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, a coordinating editor and lead author of the plan.

For additional information on NOAA’s acidification research, please refer to NOAA’s Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Acidification Research Plan (Full Plan or Highlights), the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program’s plan page, and the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification website.

Background Image: 

Credits:

Title image: NOAA dive team installs scientific observing instrumentation in Papa Bay, Hawai’i Island. Credit: Paul Cox/NOAA Image 1: A commercial shrimping vessel. Credit: NOAA Fishwatch. Image 2: A NOAA Realtime Coastal Observation Network (ReCON) buoy being serviced in Lake Erie. Credit: Dack Stuart, CIGLR. Image 3: Fish seining at Muskegon State Park on Lake Michigan. Credit: NOAA Image 4: A diver ascending from a shellfish survey finds himself in a kelp forest off Santa Cruz Island, California. Credit: Adam Obaza/NOAA Image 5: A NOAA research diver in Fagatele Bay’s vibrant coral reef ecosystem in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Credit: David Ruck/NOAA Image 6: Researchers sift through plankton nets on board while sailing in the Arctic Ocean during a NOAA research cruise. Credit: Lindsey Leigh Graham/NOAA

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