PMEL Highlights
On July 20, 2026, NOAA researchers set sail for a seventh West Coast Ocean Acidification (WCOA 2026) research mission. Departing from San Diego aboard the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (R/V) Sikuliaq, the team will travel north to Washington, adding important new observations to NOAA’s long-term monitoring of ocean acidification and its impacts on marine resources.
WCOA 2026 will couple ocean chemistry, biology, and physics to build a more comprehensive view of how extreme events impact biogeochemistry and ecosystems.
"Results from past WCOA cruises have provided novel insights into
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Our Value to Society
The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) provides trusted scientific information, critical observations, and groundbreaking research to advance knowledge of the global ocean and its interactions with Earth systems. The work of PMEL scientists and engineers strengthens society's capacity to improve weather/climate predictions, fisheries management, and coastal resilience. PMEL is committed to finding answers to the world's most difficult and pressing environmental challenges.