Reprinting of the “Guide to best practices for ocean acidification research and data reporting”

The “Guide to best practices for ocean acidification research and data reporting” (aka as “The OA Bible”) has been reprinted thanks to the generous financial support from the European Commission and the assistance of the Publication Office of the European Union. Note that this version incorporates all the errata published since the first printing.

Ophiuroid ossicles: An indicator for ocean acidification?

Molly Miller is part of the scientific research team for the USGS Arctic Cruise 2011. Ophiuroids, or brittlestars, have “hard parts” that are are part of an ocean acidification study on the Healy. Here is some information from her on ophiuroid research.

Ophionotus victoriae, brittlestar, lives on the sea floor all around Antarctica, from water just a few feet deep to over 3,000 feet deep. Its mouth is on the bottom of the central disc. It’s skeleton is internal and made of ossicles that are linked by cartilage and muscles. Each ossicle is made of the mineral calcite, a mineral that dissolves in acid. One of the effects of ocean acidification might be that ossicles of ophiuroids dissolve after the animal dies and the ossicles are scattered; the same might happen to ossicles of starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars and sea cucumbers, all of which are in the same group as ophiuroids – the Phylum Echinodermata. Another effect might be that it is more difficult for the brittlestar to secrete the ossicles, consuming more of their overall energy. This potentially could be difficult for Ophionotus victoriae because in some places where it lives there is very little food available and the brittlestar does not have extra energy to dedicate to secreting ossicles.

NCAR coral expert wins prestigious Heinz Award

Joan Kleypas, a marine ecologist and geologist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) who has conducted pioneering research into the effects of climate change on coral reefs, this week was named a recipient of the prestigious Heinz Award.

Kleypas has garnered international recognition in scientific and policy circles for her research into the impacts of increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide on marine life. When oceans absorb that carbon dioxide, the waters become more acidic, which harms corals and other marine organisms that secrete skeletal structures. She also studies the effects of rising ocean temperatures on marine ecosystems, including biologically diverse coral reefs.

“Dr. Kleypas’s dedication to uncovering the devastating impact acidification has on coral reefs and her decades-long research has highlighted the roles the reefs have in the marine system,” said Teresa Heinz, chair of the Heinz Family Foundation, in announcing the award.