Amazing sea butterflies are the ocean’s canary in the coal mine

The chemistry of the ocean is changing. Most climate change discussion focuses on the warmth of the air, but around one-quarter of the carbon dioxide we release into the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean. Dissolved carbon dioxide makes seawater more acidic—a process called ocean acidification—and its effects have already been observed: the shells of sea butterflies, also known as pteropods, have begun dissolving in the Antarctic.

Tiny sea butterflies are related to snails, but use their muscular foot to swim in the water instead of creep along a surface. Many species have thin, hard shells made of calcium carbonate that are especially sensitive to changes in the ocean’s acidity. Their sensitivity and cosmopolitan nature make them an alluring study group for scientists who want to better understand how acidification will affect ocean organisms. But some pteropod species are proving to do just fine in more acidic water, while others have shells that dissolve quickly. So why do some species perish while others thrive?

Ocean Acidification – “Time to Change” (feat. Ryan Yoo) (video)

“Tipping Point” to be shown at the San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival

Friday 8 March 2013, 1 pm

“Tipping Point”, France, Laurence Jourdan, 54 min

An intelligent look at the emerging science of ocean acidification, that is shot in dramatic ocean locations from the tropics to the arctic, this film follows scientists on a sensitive, compelling and ultimately hopeful journey, into one of the marine environment’s most imminent challenges. —PW

Seaweek embraces $50,000 Ocean Art Challenge

The $50,000 Ocean Acidification Art Challenge is now open to all Victorian students Years 9-12.

Australia’s largest environmental art show, it has been created to stimulate a deeper understanding of Ocean Acidification and to encourage wider environmental responsibility.

The art of marine science: collaborating with art students to create outreach and education tools on ocean acidification in the Florida Keys

The main objective of this study is to continue collaborative efforts with Ringling College of Art and Design students to create new outreach products on ocean acidification that will increase awareness about the impacts of ocean acidification on Florida coral reef ecosystems.

The pteropod project: sea butterflies, climate change, and art (text and audio)

You’ve no doubt heard of the butterfly effect. Well, Gareth Lawson of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has his own version: the sea butterfly effect. As carbon dioxide emissions build up in the atmosphere, some of it is absorbed by the ocean, where it turns to acid – a phenomenon known as ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification art challenge

Funded by Eye On The World Natural Images, Ocean Ark Alliance is hosting Australia’s largest environmental art show at the Melbourne Aquarium on 22 October 2012. This has been created to stimulate a deeper understanding of ocean acidification.

Specific topics include the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs, southern seas, polar seas, marine life, coastal communities & economic wealth.

Open to all Year 9 -12 students, this Victoria-based pilot is the start of what the Ocean Ark Alliance hopes will become a national and international initiative

The other CO2 problem animation now available in Spanish and Italian

The other CO2 problem animation, originally made by the Ridgeway School (Plymouth, UK) students in collaboration with EPOCA is now available in Spanish and Italian. The translations were performed by Spanish and Italian students and supported by the MedSea project. The video is also available in French.

Click on the images to watch the videos.

 

L’autre problème du CO2 (movie, in French)

Le dessin animé produit par les élèves de l’école Ridgeway de Plymouth (Royaume-Uni) et les chercheurs du Laboratoire Marin de Plymouth (financé par EPOCA) vient d’être traduit en français par des élèves du collège Charles III de Monaco avec le soutien d’EPOCA et de l’Institut océanographique de Monaco. Il est disponible sur YouTube.

“Tipping Point” movie gets an award

The “Tipping Point” documentary won the “Best Scientific Movie” award at the Mediterranea film festival that took place in Antibes (France), 31 March-3 April 2011.