National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce


 

FY 2020

Alaska region acidification research

Hurst, T.P., J.N. Cross, W.C. Long, D.J. Pilcher, M. Dalton, K.K. Holsman, J.T. Thorson, R.J. Foy, and J.M. Mintz

Chapter 3 in NOAA Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Acidification Research Plan: 2020-2029, Jewett, E.B., E.B. Osborne, K.M. Arzayus, K. Osgood, B.J. DeAngelo, and J.M. Mintz (eds.), https://oceanacidification.noaa.gov/ResearchPlan2020 (2020)


The Alaska Region includes the waters of the Gulf of Alaska, Eastern Bering Sea and surrounding the Aleutian Islands (for information on the Chukchi and Beaufort seas refer to Chapter 4: Arctic Region). Acidification in this region is driven by relatively high incorporation of atmospheric carbon due to high solubility in cold waters, as well as a number of regional processes such as seasonal productivity and sea ice melt pulses. Major fisheries exist in this region, some of which have proven to be sensitive to changes in ocean pH. Alaska communities also depend heavily on marine resources for subsistence, cultural identity, and well-being. The following research plan outlines the scientific rationale, research objectives and actions for the Alaska Region focusing mainly on the following regional goals:

Expand ocean acidification (OA) monitoring with both oceanographic and shore-based based observing networks to characterize seasonal cycles, regional vulnerabilities, and future regional trajectories;

Assess sensitivity and resilience of critically important ecosystems and commercial species and use this knowledge to model and predict ecosystem-wide impacts of acidification; and

Evaluate the sensitivity of nutritionally and economically important subsistence and industry species to assess socioeconomic impacts.




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