OCEAN ACIDIFICATION IN THE PUBLIC EYE

As a result of increasing atmospheric CO₂ emissions following the Industrial Revolution, global surface ocean pH has decreased. This phenomenon, known as ocean acidification (OA), has been linked to many detrimental effects on marine life, including developmental issues for shellfish frequently attributed to a decreased seawater carbonate saturation state (Ω). In the Northeast US, many coastal communities depend upon fisheries as an essential ecosystem service and contributor to local culture, well-being, and economies. Therefore, developing a thorough understanding of the impacts and disruptive effects of OA in coastal communities along the North Atlantic Coast is an important step to identify local mitigation and adaptation strategies for stakeholders. This study focused on synthesizing our current understanding of the major chemical and physical processes that contribute to OA in the Northeast. The results were then translated into region-specific communication documents and outreach strategies for public engagement. Current research findings reveal that OA is compounded by the effects of local biogeochemical processes throughout the Northeast US. In coastal estuarine environments where heavy nutrient loading can lead to eutrophication, waters are acidified by both atmospheric CO₂ inputs and the degradation of organic matter. In the Gulf of Maine region, however, freshwater inputs from rivers and increased heavy precipitation events cause further depression of carbonate saturation state. These complex interactive effects can lead to further threats to shellfish calcification within the Northeast and were included in a congressional briefing on OA held in July 2014. Results from a multitude of scientific studies on the effects of OA throughout this region were also translated into outreach documents and factsheets for public education activities. All efforts were aimed at the continued development of the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN), a multi-agency body that includes NOAA scientists, regional stakeholders, and local policymakers, and sits at the nexus of OA research and mitigation strategies in the NE.