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NECAN Webinar Series 2013 - 2014

Between November 2013 and March 2014 NECAN hosted a series of sixteen webinars presented by experts on topics related to regional coastal acidification.

An Integrated Assessment Model for the U.S. Sea Scallop Fishery
Sarah Cooley, Ocean Conservancy
March 18, 2014

The sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in the nation' most valuable single-species fishery, providing $559 million in ex-vessel revenue in 2012, but this lucrative natural resource faces ongoing pressures including changing climate, increasing ocean acidification, continuing harvests, and fluctuating markets. Currently, the combined impact of these different factors is difficult to incorporate adequately into policy decisions. We present an integrated assessment model (IAM) comprising reduced-form biogeochemical, population, and economic numerical submodels. The one-dimensional biogeochemical model including anthropogenic and natural factors has been developed for sea scallop habitats in Georges Bank and the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Preliminary results indicate good model skill for each submodel. We are testing the sensitivity of the couples natural-socioeconomic system to different scenarios involving scallop harvest levels, price fluctuations, fishery rules, environmental conditions (including the overlapping stressors of ocean acidification and temperature), and national and international demand. This will lead to development of a dashboard interface where decision makers can interact with model results and consider the influence of different policy decisions. 

Coastal Acidification and its Co-Occurrence with Multiple Stressors:
Implications for Marine Organisms
Chris Gobler, Stony Brook University
March 13, 2014

In coastal zones, ocean acidification is already effecting marine life. This talk will present data from estuaries across the US Northeast that display low pH conditions (<< 8) during summer and fall months concurrent with the decline in DO concentrations. While hypoxic waters and/or regions in close proximity to sewage discharge can experience extreme acidification (pH <7.0), even near-normoxic but eutrophic regions of some estuaries are often relatively acidified (pH<7.7) during late summer and/or early fall. The close spatial and temporal correspondence between DO and pH and the occurrence of extremes in these conditions in regions with the most intense nutrient loading indicated that they were driven primarily by microbial respiration. In addition to acidification, coastal animals are concurrently exposed to an array of additional stressors including hypoxia, thermal stress, and harmful algal blooms. All of these stressors are expected to intensify along with ocean acidification in the coming decades. This talk will review that state of acidification in northeast US estuaries and will review how multiple stressors interact with and/or co-occur with ocean acidification. The effects of these combined stressors on early life stage finfish and shellfish will also be presented.

Including Effects of OA in Fisheries Population and Ecosystem Models
Gavin Fay, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
March 11, 2014

Models for the assessment of living marine resources that account for the effects of ocean acidification (OA) are crucial for understanding the consequences of these effects for fisheries and ecosystem management. In this webinar, I will review the status of efforts to integrate data on the effects of OA into the types models currently used to provide scientific advice to fisheries managers, to evaluate the effects of OA with respect to those of other ecosystem drivers (e.g. exploitation). These include single-species stock assessment approaches that estimate acidification-dependent recruitment relationships, with population dynamics models using these relationships then projected given scenarios for the magnitude of OA. Ecosystem models have also been used to explore the effects of OA on ecosystem structure and function, and to quantify associated changes in ecosystem services. Although model scenarios implemented to date have been simple, they are useful for demonstrating possible consequences of OA, and for quantifying the effects on local and regional economies. Scenarios show a large range of effects on both fisheries yield and the biomass of species both directly and indirectly affected by OA. However, the magnitude and precise nature of OA effects, and interaction with other system drivers (e.g. fishing, warming, habitat loss, etc.) will ultimately depend on understanding species’ responses to acidification. The modeling tools being developed in the Northeast US and elsewhere provide frameworks that can guide both managers and scientists as they are updated with new information from monitoring activities and experimental work to explore the impacts of acidification.

An Experimental Investigation of the Surf Clam Response to OA
Anne Cohen, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
March 10, 2014

In situ measurements reveal that seawater pH and Ωar in estuaries and coastal embayments along much of the Northeastern US are already significantly different from open ocean values, and that year round aragonite under-saturation (Ωar<1) will be reached by mid-century, if current CO2 emissions trends continue. We asked whether these projected levels of ocean acidification (OA) would negatively affect early development of the Atlantic surf clam, Spisula solidissima, which is currently the most important commercial clam species in the US. We also asked whether feeding could offset any negative effects of OA on growth and development. Embryos were introduced to acidified seawater treatments within four hours post-fertilization and reared over a period of 6 days. Air and Air-CO2 mixtures bubbled into ambient Vineyard Sound seawater yielded Ωar values ranging from ambient (2.2) to substantially under-saturated (0.5 to 0.7). Larvae were reared in both nutritionally replete and nutritionally depleted conditions, and growth was monitored by subsampling on days 3 (formation of PDI) and 6 (formation of PDII). The effects of OA and feeding on growth and development were evaluated by measurements of shell length, shell weight and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging to detect shell deformities. Overall, OA had no statistically significant effect on shell growth or development and shell formation was normal even in under-saturated conditions. At 6 days post-fertilization, OA had no impact on mortality. Conversely, growth rates of larvae reared in nutritionally replete conditions were significantly higher than those reared in nutritionally depleted conditions, across all CO2 treatment levels. We compare the response of S. solidissima to that of other east coast species at the same stage of development and reared under the same experimental conditions. Our results suggest that early development of S. solidissima may be remarkably resilient to levels of acidification projected for the US east coast region by the end of this century.

Ocean Acidification in Alaska: Perceptions, Risks, and Economics
Jeremy T. Mathis, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory
March 4, 2014

The extremely valuable commercial and subsistence fisheries around Alaska are located in seas projected to experience rapid transitions in pH and other chemical parameters caused by ocean acidification (OA) in the coming decades. Many of the marine organisms that are most intensely affected by OA, such as mollusks contribute substantially to the region’s commercial activities as well as the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States as well as other countries. Prior studies of OA’s potential impacts on human communities have focused on possible economic losses from specific scenarios of human dependence on harvests and damages to marine species. However, non-economic impacts due to OA are likely to also manifest, such as changes in food security or shifts in livelihoods. Here, we describe the current patterns of dependence on marine resources within the region that could be negatively impacted by OA and current community characteristics to determine the risk to the region’s fishery sector. Results suggest that OA merits consideration in policy and adaptation planning, as it may represent yet another challenge to many communities that are already in socioeconomic decline. To determine the public awareness and understanding of this potentially game-changing threat we conducted a regional survey to better understand the multitude of variables that influence the perceptions of the risk associated with OA, as well as environmental literacy and support for mitigation efforts. This has helped us identify where there are gaps in understanding of OA and how future OA initiatives can be implemented in order to prepare individuals, communities, and the fishing industry for future changes in ocean chemistry.

Effects of Elevated CO₂ on the Early Life-Stages of Marine Fishes and Potential Consequences of OA
R. Christopher Chambers, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center
February 18, 2014

The limited available evidence about effects of high CO₂ and associated acidification of oceans on marine fishes suggests that effects will differ among species and life-stages, may be subtle, and may interact with other stressors. This presentation summarizes activities underway at the NEFSC’s Howard Laboratory to better understand ocean acidification (OA) effects on the early life-stages of marine fishes and how to communicate these results to the public. These activities include collection and analysis of metadata, experimental studies, and outreach. We are using meta-analysis to establish context of what is known about high-CO₂ effects on marine fishes, to draw generalities where appropriate, and to serve as a framework for our experimental approach. We have designed a laboratory CO₂-delivery system with which to challenge early life-stages of locally important fish taxa to a stepped series of experiments on the effects of CO₂ and co-stressors. To date, we have completed three experiments – one 1-way (factor: CO₂) and two 2-way (CO₂ × temperature) – using this system to evaluate responses of summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) and winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus). Results from the 1-way experiment on summer flounder have been digested and have shown several significant outcomes. Concentration of CO₂ had a direct effect on embryonic period mortality, and on the growth and developmental rates of larvae. Cranial-facial measurements from cleared-and-stained larval specimens were consistent with accelerated larval development at high CO₂. Further, histopathology sections of larvae showed a higher prevalence of abnormalities at elevated CO₂ concentrations. Implications of these sublethal effects on ontogenetic rates of summer flounder will be discussed. Lastly, we are developing and evaluating age-appropriate outreach materials on OA effects on marine ecosystems that can be used for in-house and off-campus outreach opportunities.

Effects of OA on Phytoplankton in the Coastal Ocean
Andrew King, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center
February 11, 2014

Phytoplankton, single-celled photosynthesizing microorganisms, account for about half of global primary production. They are inextricably linked to the ocean in two major ways: the cycling of major and trace elements, and the synthesis of compounds that drive marine foodwebs. If and how long-term changes in the ocean (including carbonate chemistry) will affect phytoplankton and their roles in the ocean's biogeochemical cycles and foodwebs remains a heavily researched topic. In particular, studies have suggested that ocean acidification (OA) could modify the marine nitrogen cycle, phytoplankton community structure, and phytoplankton nutritional composition. In this talk, I will summarize significant findings regarding phytoplankton and OA, and I will discuss ongoing research and future directions relevant to the North American northeast region.

Developmental and Energetic Basis Linking Larval Oyster Shell Formation to OA
George Waldbusser, Oregon State University
January 28, 2014

Much interest has been generated about the Pacific Northwest oyster seed crisis that began in the mid to late 2000’s. Although empirical evidence had shown a strong relationship between conditions in which larvae are spawned and production output in the Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery, a mechanism linking the higher CO₂ (but not thermodynamically corrosive) waters to larval success was lacking. We proposed that the rate of shell formation during the precipitation of the first shell in larval oysters put a strong energetic demand on the larvae at a period of time when they are reliant almost solely on endogenous energy (egg reserves). I will discuss our ongoing work with the industry here in the Pacific Northwest, more recent experimental work that is supporting our hypothesis that kinetics (rates) of shell formation is an important predictor in understanding sensitivities, and some preliminary work to understand the biological mechanisms for how oyster larvae may precipitate shell material so quickly. In addition, changes in the marine carbonate chemistry of the California Current Ecosystem and the estuaries tightly coupled to it help to explain why the larval oysters in the Pacific Northwest have served to be a canary in the coal mine.

The American Lobster in a Changing Climate
Richard A. Wahle, University of Maine School of Marine Sciences
January 21, 2014

This webinar examines ocean warming and acidification in the context of the broader challenges confronting the American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery across the Northeast US and Atlantic Canada. The story of the American lobster over the past two decades is one of contrasting trajectories. Lobster populations in the southern end of the species’ range are collapsing, just as those in the Gulf of Maine and Atlantic Canada have soared to historic highs. The effects of ocean warming are evident as a retreat of lobsters to deeper waters in the south and a net northward shift of the center of the population. In southern New England, extreme warm events and hypoxia have triggered mass mortality and disease, while northern waters that have historically been on the cool side for lobster are becoming more habitable. In the Gulf of Maine, warming, coupled with the widespread depletion of predatory groundfish may largely explain the lobster boom over the past two decades. But the astonishing glut of lobsters and the 2008 global financial crisis have driven lobster prices to a 50-year low. With fuel costs inexorably rising, the business of lobstering is becoming ever more challenging. Against this background, recent evidence that ocean acidification adversely affects shellfish is heightening concerns for the fate of the lobster fishery. A review of the literature on acidification effects on marine organisms suggest sensitivities to acidification are species- and life-stage-specific. One study on the European lobster (H. gammarus) suggests acidified seawater did not affect larval survival or growth, but exoskeletons were less mineralized than controls in ambient seawater. In contrast, in another study older benthic juvenile H. americanus had more calcified skeletons under prolonged acidified treatments. Elevated pCO₂ acidifies lobster blood and other tissues and could interfere with enzymatic regulation, hormonal systems, and biomineralization of the exoskeleton. To date shell disease in lobsters has not been linked to ocean acidification. Whether the levels of CO₂ projected for coastal and shelf waters in the coming decades will adversely affect lobster populations in the future remains unclear.

Oceanographic Variability Across the Gulf of Maine as Measured by GNATS
William M. Balch, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
January 14, 2014

William Balch will give an overview of the GNATS (Gulf of Maine North Atlantic Time Series) which is a 35+year, NASA-centric, field program that crosses the Gulf of Maine (GoM) between Portland, Maine and Yarmouth, NS using ferries and ships of opportunity. Data are collected on bio-optical, hydrographical, biological, biogeochemical and chemical variables for use in satellite calibration/validation studies, as well as a long-term transect time series of the region. The 35-year portion of GNATS includes temperature, salinity, chlorophyll and nutrient measurements by C. Yentsch and D. Phinney (Bigelow Lab; started late 70’s) and C. Boyd (Dalhousie; started early 80’s) as well as MARMAP observations near the transect over the years. We began making more extensive measurements along the same transect in 1998 aboard the Scotia Prince ferry. We now use a combination of satellite, shipboard and autonomous underwater vehicle measurements to describe the GOM variability. GNATS measures all four parts of the marine carbon cycle: particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate inorganic carbon (PIC; calcite), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC; e.g., CO₂, HCO₃^-, and CO₃⁼ plus alkalinity which can be used to derive pH). These four parts of the carbon cycle (including reservoirs and fluxes) provide insights about the major processes affecting the coastal ocean, from changes in productivity (i.e. POC variability through time associated with changes in hydrography, different phytoplankton functional groups, etc.), land-sea carbon transport (i.e. DOC and POC variability caused by major riverine flood events and droughts), and changes associated with ocean acidification (i.e. changes in DIC and PIC caused by changes in carbonate saturation). There is only time in this presentation to highlight a few of the results from the time series. We hypothesize that river runoff plays a key role with the physical, chemical, optical and biological oceanography of the GoM, including its carbon cycle. There have been some major changes in the environment (e.g. river runoff) that have had large effects on the lower end of the food web (e.g. a massive multi-year drop in primary production). I will show our results on variability of DIC, but these measurements were only funded two years ago, however, so it is too soon to say how observed GOM changes are explicitly related to OA. Our biological measurements focus on microbial populations up to phytoplankton; it is not unreasonable to hypothesize that the changes at the lower end of the food web are relevant to higher trophic levels and fisheries.

Estuarine Acidification: A Conceptual Discussion with Examples
Wei-Jun Cai, University of Delaware
January 6, 2014

Wei-Jun Cai will discuss how estuarine pH is affected by mixing between river and the anthropogenic CO₂ enriched seawater and by respiration under various conditions (salinity, temperature and river endmmber alkalinity). A few rivers with different levels of weathering products and temperature are selected for the discussion. It is shown here that estuaries receiving low to moderate levels of weathering products exhibit maximum pH decrease in mid-salinity region as a result of anthropogenic CO₂ intrusion. Such maximum pH decrease coincides with a mid-salinity minimum buffer zone. In addition, water column oxygen consumption can further depress pH for all simulated estuaries. Recognition of the estuarine minimum buffer zone may be important for studying estuarine calcifying organisms and pH-sensitive biogeochemical processes.

Factors Contributing to Variability in pCO2 and Calcite Mineral Saturation State in the Coastal Gulf of Maine
Joe Salisbury, University of New Hampshire
December 17, 2013

In light of high its economic value and observed recent changes in terrestrial discharge, ocean temperature, and circulation, the Gulf of Maine (GOM) is a critical region for understanding the impacts of chemical and physical variations upon marine resources. We begin by highlighting the unique features that make the coastal GOM particularly sensitive to acidification. We then survey several carbonate parameter time series in the GOM drawing special attention to the sub-daily measurements at the UNH-PMEL-NERACOOS mooring. These data are used to explore the causes of variation in pCO₂ and Omega within the context of a time-evolving mass conservation process control model. Our preliminary results indicate: 1) first-order control imposed by variation in CO₂ solubility and air-sea flux throughout the year, 2) the additive effects of net community production (NCP) and freshwater flux, particularly from April to June, 3) apparent summer NCP that proceeds in spite of assumed nutrient limitations, and 4) the importance of diffusion and vertical mixing during the latter half of the year. Each of the contributing factors exhibits considerable interannual variability arising from sensitivity to hydrological and physical processes that vary from year to year.

Shipboard Surveys on the U.S. Northeast Shelf:
Quantification of Variability in Carbonate Chemistry and Potential Biological Implications
Nathan Rebuck, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
December 10, 2013

The dominant ecological and physical characteristics of the Northeast U.S. Shelf are well studied and modeled, however there are still many unknowns of carbonate variability in the region and the potential effects of acidification on the ecosystem and managed species. This presentation aims to evaluate the seasonal and regional variability in the dissolved inorganic carbon cycle and evaluate the changes in the past 30 years. Having quantified the variability, another objective is to demonstrate the complexity of the carbonate environment of the Northeast U.S. Shelf and how it must be accounted for when projecting the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on individual resource species. Using data collected as part of the NOAA Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment, and Prediction (MARMAP) program from 1977-1987, a spatially explicit historical seasonal baseline is developed for the inorganic carbon components on the Northeast U.S. Shelf. Measurements from 2009-2010 from the NOAA Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) program, NASA’s Climate Variability on Primary Productivity and Carbon Distributions in the Middle Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Maine Program (CliVEC), and other published studies are used to compare the regional change to documented global changes. Finally, qualitative comparison of four species with varying life histories and distributions are presented to demonstrate important considerations when evaluating the potential consequences of OA to in situ populations. Field monitoring efforts must be aware of the scales of natural variability inherent in the system, and projections of impacts to resource species will need to isolate the acidification component most relevant to the species of interest.

Ocean Acidification Along the East and Gulf Coast of the USA
Rik Wanninkhof, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
December 3, 2013

In response to the requirements of the Federal Ocean Acidification (OA) Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program is determining patterns and trends of ocean acidification in the coastal oceans surrounding the USA. Here I’ll provide an overview of the regional efforts along the East and Gulf coasts utilizing ships of opportunity, moorings and dedicated research cruises with focus on the Northeast region. The requirements to meet key performance measure of determining the aragonite saturation state in the realm to 0.2 will be discussed. The talk will address the parameters that need to be measured to constrain the OA forcing. The spatial trends with emphasis on offshore/nearshore differences and the causes thereof will be described. Efforts to anticipate changes in ocean acidification trends will be outlined.