Ocean Acidification in Alaska: Current status, monitoring efforts, and potential impacts to marine life
With:
Natalie Monacci (UAF Ocean Acidification Research Center)
&
Bob Foy (NOAA Kodiak Fishery Research Center)
To register for the webinar, please fill out the form at the link above.
Jointly sponsored by the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network:
http://www.aoos.org/alaska-ocean-acidification-network
Scientists estimate that the ocean is 30% more acidic today than it was 300 years ago, traceable to increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil-fuel combustion and land-use change. Lowering the pH of seawater affects the ability of shell-building organisms to build and maintain their shells, which puts stress on the entire marine food chain. Alaska is expected to experience the effects of ocean acidification sooner and more seriously than lower latitudes due to its temperature and circulation patterns.
This presentation will cover what we know about OA in Alaska, statewide monitoring efforts to track changes in seawater, and results of lab work to test the impacts of higher-acidity waters on commercially important species. It will also highlight resources available through the new Alaska Ocean Acidification Network, which was recently launched to help connect scientists and stakeholder communities, identify knowledge gaps, share data, and determine best practices for monitoring in Alaska.