Ocean Acidification
The $500 Billion Question: What’s the Value of Studying the Ocean’s Biological Carbon Pump?
A new paper published in the journal Science of the Total Environment from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) puts an economic value on the benefit of research to improve knowledge of the biological carbon pump and reduce the uncertainty of ocean carbon sequestration estimates.
Ecology Research: Ocean acidification causing coral ‘osteoporosis’ on iconic reefs
New research by scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals the distinct impact ocean acidification is having on coral growth on some of the world’s iconic reefs.
Disentangling influences on coral health
In a new study, Weifu Guo of WHOI and his colleagues have compiled records of existing and new skeletal growth of a stony, long-lived coral genus known as Porites to disentangle the competing effects.
Coral develops ‘osteoporosis’ because of acidic oceans caused by climate change, study reveals
Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) found significant reduction in the density of coral skeleton along much of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, and also on two reefs in the South China Sea, which they attribute largely to the increasing acidity of the waters surrounding these reefs since 1950.
More insights into the complexity of coral
“This is the first unambiguous detection and attribution of ocean acidification’s impact on coral growth,” says lead author Weifu Guo of WHOI.
Ocean acidification causing coral ‘osteoporosis’ on iconic reefs
Scientists have long suspected that ocean acidification is affecting corals’ ability to build their skeletons, but it has been challenging to isolate its effect from that of simultaneous warming ocean temperatures, which also influence coral growth. New research from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) reveals the distinct impact that ocean acidification is having on coral growth on some of the world’s iconic reefs.
Ocean acidification causing coral ‘osteoporosis’ on iconic reefs
Scientists have long suspected that ocean acidification is affecting corals’ ability to build their skeletons, but it has been challenging…
Read MoreOcean acidification gets a watchful eye in New England aquaculture ‘hot spot’
Shellfish aquaculture is thriving in New England, but future growth in the industry could be stunted as coastal waters in the region become more acidic. Researchers at WHOI have developed a way to link nutrient load reductions to improvements in the health of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, which may an important step toward cleaner and less acidic harbors in the Baystate.
Read MoreThese corals could survive climate change — and help save the world’s reefs
Ocean warming threatens to wipe out corals, but scientists are trying to protect naturally resilient reefs and are nursing some others back to health.
Panel delves into impact of ocean acidification
The state commission tasked with studying ocean acidification and its regional impact — particularly in relation to the aquaculture industry — held its first meeting Friday in Woods Hole with a sobering presentation on the phenomenon.
Carbon Dioxide, Shell Building, and Ocean Acidification
To build shells and skeletons, marine organisms, such as this hypothetical clam, extract calcium ions and carbonate ions from seawater, combining them into solid crystals of calcium carbonate that are laid down to make shells.
Read MoreOcean Acidification
The release of sulfur and nitrogen into the atmosphere by power plants and agricultural activities is making seawater more acidic.
Read MoreThe pH Scale
pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The more hydrogen ions that are present,…
Read MoreCarbon Dioxide in Seawater
When carbon dioxide mixes with seawater it has the effect of reducing the availability of carbonate ions, which many marine…
Read MoreFAQs about Ocean Acidification
Introduction Ocean acidification is a new field of research in which most studies have been published in the past 10…
Read MorePostdoctoral Scholar Program
Eighteen-month Postdoctoral Scholar awards are offered to recipients of new or recent doctorates in the fields of chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, and biology as well as oceanography. The awards are designed to further the education and training of the applicant with primary emphasis placed on the individual’s research promise.
Read MoreTo Tag a Squid
How do you design a tag that can attach to a soft-bodied swimming animal and track its movements? Very thoughtfully.
Read MoreHow Do Corals Build Their Skeletons?
WHOI scientists discovered precisely how ocean acidification affects coral skeletons’ a factor that will help scientists predict how corals throughout the world will fare as the oceans become more acidic.
Read MoreSearching for ‘Super Reefs’
Some corals are less vulnerable to ocean acidification. Can the offspring from these more resilient corals travel to other reefs to help sustain more vulnerable coral populations there?
Read MoreOcean Acidification Projected To Weaken Coral Skeletons
quotes Weifu Guo
Scientists pinpoint how ocean acidification weakens coral skeletons
quotes Nathaniel Mollica, Anne Cohen
Scientists Pinpoint How Ocean Acidification Weakens Coral Skeletons
The rising acidity of the oceans threatens coral reefs by making it harder for corals to build their skeletons. A new study identifies the details of how ocean acidification affects coral skeletons, allowing scientists to predict more precisely where corals will be more vulnerable.
Read MoreOcean Acidification Bill Gains Traction At State House
quotes Hauke Kite-Powell
DEAD POOL Terrifying ‘Jacuzzi of Despair’ will kill anything that swims in it
quotes Scott Wankel and mentions WHOI
