Ocean Acidification Presentation and Roundtable Discussion – Jan. 9, 2012

Acclaimed University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher Jeremy Mathis will be in Dillingham on January 9th, 2012.  He will be presenting his research findings on ocean acidification and moderators will lead a discussion with the community on what the changing oceans mean for a fishing community such as Dillingham.

Ocean acidification cartoon

SOLAS-IMBER Ocean Acidification working group just launched

SOLAS and IMBER have launched, in September 2009, a working group on Ocean Acidification. It is sub-group 3 of the IMBER/SOLAS Carbon Research Working Group (SIC!).

The tasks of this group are:

1. Coordinate international research efforts in ocean acidification
2. Undertake synthesis activities in ocean acidification at the international level

Global warming tactic cools climate but won’t help corals, say Stanford researchers

“Geoengineering” experiments proposed to reduce global warming by blocking sunlight with atmosphere-injected particles may cool the world but still leave carbon dioxide levels dangerously high, Stanford scientists say.

Sunlight-blocking particles would fail to solve the problems of ocean acidification and dying corals, two significant repercussions of climate change, according to a study by Ken Caldeira of Stanford University and the Carnegie Institution, Damon Matthews of Concordia University, and Long Cao of the Carnegie Institution. Atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean water, making it more acidic and difficult for animals to build their shells or skeletons, especially corals.

Call for input on the OCB response to EPA’s Notice of Data Availability (NODA) on ocean acidification

If you are interested in commenting on the first draft, then please download the document (here) particularly focussing on points 4-6 and returning to Heather Benway by 7th June 2009.

More information on Solas web site.

Documents about the latest knowledge on Ocean Acidification

IOC, SCOR, IGBP and IAEA have recently produced a number of documents about the latest knowledge on Ocean Acidification and priorities for future research, as a result of the Second Symposium on the Ocean in a High-CO2 World in October 2008. The publications are all available on the following website and involve a large number of international experts.

OCB Ocean Acidification Subcommittee coordinates input to EPA Federal register notice on ocean acidification

The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry Program Ocean Acidification Subcommittee is currently discussing how to coordinate and provide input to the recent EPA federal register notice on ocean acidification. If you would like to be involved, please contact OCB Ocean Acidification Subcommittee co-chairs Joan Kleypas (kleypas@ucar.edu) and Richard Feely (richard.a.feely@noaa.gov).

Federal Register notice: Ocean acidification and marine pH water quality criteria

Environmental Protection Agency

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of data availability (NODA).

DOCUMENT SUMMARY:

This NODA provides interested parties with information submitted to EPA on ocean acidification and solicits additional pertinent data or information that may be useful in addressing this issue. In addition, EPA is notifying the public of its intent to review the current aquatic life criterion for marine pH to determine if a revision is warranted to protect the marine designated uses of States and Territories pursuant to Section 304(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act. The NODA also solicits additional scientific information and data, as well as ideas for effective strategies for Federal, State, and local officials to address the impacts of ocean acidification. This information can then be used as the basis for a broader discussion of ocean acidification and marine impacts. EPA also requests information pertaining to monitoring marine pH and implementation of pH water quality standards.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 15, 2009.

EPOCA and the fashion industry

Following its success in the field of science, the European Project on Ocean Acidification (EPOCA) has expanded its activities to also include the fashion industry. It has opened its first retail shop in Shanghai (photograph above, courtesy of Markus Weinbauer). All profits generated by the first 6 months of operation will be distributed in cash to the participants of the EPOCA annual meeting which will be held in Plymouth, UK, from 30 June to 2 July. At the meeting, the project Scientific Steering Committee, advised by the International Scientific Advisory Panel, will decide on future shop openings.

The other CO2 problem movie

Clay animation about the potentially disastrous rise in ocean acidity. Created by pupils from Ridgeway School Plymouth, Sundog Media, and Dr Carol Turley of Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Commissioned by EPOCA [European Project on OCean Acidification]; supported by UCP Marjon, and National Marine Aquarium.