Inorganic carbon chemistry data from the surface and subsurface waters of the West Coast of North America have been compared with similar data from the northern Gulf of Mexico to demonstrate how future changes in CO2 emissions will affect chemical changes in coastal waters affected by respiration-induced hypoxia ([O2] ≤ ~ 60 µmol kg−1). ...

Exponentially rising CO2 (currently ~400 µatm) is driving climate change and causing acidification of both marine and freshwater environments. CO2 directly affects acid–base and ion regulation, respiratory function and aerobic performance in aquatic animals. Elevated CO2 projected for end of this century (e.g. 800–1000 µatm) can also impact physiology, and have substantial ...

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) was established in May 2011, by the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act. This program aims to coordinate research, monitoring, and other activities to improve our understanding of how (and how fast) the chemistry of the ocean is changing, how variable that change ...

Educational website with map and information about ocean acidification 

Educational introduction to the chemistry and biological impacts of ocean acidification

News and educational website on ocean acidification

Educational website about ocean acidification created by the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Education Team.

In the gulf toadfish, respiratory gas transport and acid–base balance are affected by ocean acidification. While the full physiological impacts are not known, the changes could compromise several physiological systems. (Laboratory study)

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution humans have released ~500 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere through fossil-fuel burning, cement production and land-use changes. About 30% has been taken up by the oceans. The oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide leads to changes in marine carbonate chemistry resulting in a ...

Ocean acidification is a global, long-term problem whose ultimate solution requires carbon dioxide reduction at a scope and scale that will take decades to accomplish successfully. Until that is achieved, feasible and locally relevant adaptation and mitigation measures are needed. To help to prioritize societal responses to ocean acidification, we ...