Ocean Acidification Research Center

Ocean Acidification Research Center OARC conducts research on ocean acidification, particularly in Alaskan waters, to determine the broa The Center will operate under two broad mandates:

1.

About the OARC and its role in Alaska:

Due to the growing concerns over increasing acidity in the ocean and the impacts this phenomenon will have on Alaska’s marine ecosystems the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has created an Ocean Acidification Research Center (OARC) within the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (SFOS). Placement of this center in Alaska is critical to the state’s long

-term interests because the region will experience the effects of ocean acidification faster and to a greater degree than in lower latitudes due to colder water temperatures, ocean circulation patterns and highly productive continental shelves. These characteristics act to enhance the transport of CO2 from the atmosphere into the ocean. Given the resources that are already established around the state, the OARC will provide a unique opportunity to collect an unprecedented dataset in a highly vulnerable region. Conduct research into ocean acidification, particularly in Alaskan waters and determine the broader climate forcings that are leading to decreases in ocean pH and the impacts of these changes on commercial species. The research will focus on three areas:
- long term autonomous monitoring and modeling efforts
- conducting field observations in highly sensitive areas, and
- quantifying physiological responses of vulnerable and commercially viable species.

2. Maintain a central repository for the federal and state government, as well as the public and private sectors to access information relevant to ocean acidification and its impacts on fisheries and other economic resources. The seafood industry in Alaska is global in stature with an estimated value of $5.8 billion and creates the largest private sector employer in the state. Unfortunately, ocean acidification has the potential to disrupt this industry from top to bottom with coupled direct/indirect effects. Alaska communities need viable strategies to anticipate and respond to future changes brought on by ocean acidification. Such complex analyses require a coordinated effort that can only be accomplished through the OARC. The School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (SFOS) already forms the nexus of collaboration for the OARC. Research in ocean acidification is currently being led by the OARC Director Dr. Jeremy Mathis, an assistant professor of Chemical Oceanography.

Ocean pH is at the bottom left... and high-latitude ice losses are the second from the right.
12/02/2015

Ocean pH is at the bottom left... and high-latitude ice losses are the second from the right.

World leaders have gathered in Paris to try to hammer out a plan to slow the machinery of climate change. Here’s how experts say the pieces fit together.

Our new Arctic OA study is getting a lot of good attention.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150615142845.htm
06/17/2015

Our new Arctic OA study is getting a lot of good attention.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150615142845.htm

New research shows that surface waters of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas could reach levels of acidity that threaten the ability of animals to build and maintain their shells by 2030, with the Bering Sea reaching this level of acidity by 2044.

01/27/2015

Role models for all of us.http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/27-4_supp_bios.pdf =42

http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/27-4_supp_bios.pdf =42

Jessica Cross wrapping up a great week for OARC at the 2015 Alaska Marine Science Symposium with her talk on CO2 fluxes ...
01/21/2015

Jessica Cross wrapping up a great week for OARC at the 2015 Alaska Marine Science Symposium with her talk on CO2 fluxes in the Bering Sea.

NOAA's Arctic Research page highlights our new study on perceptions and awareness of ocean acidification in Alaska.http:...
12/22/2014

NOAA's Arctic Research page highlights our new study on perceptions and awareness of ocean acidification in Alaska.

http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/arctic/featured-publication/gauging-perceptions-ocean-acidification-alaska

December 22, 2014 Frisch, L.C., J.T. Mathis, N.P. Kettle, and S. Trainor (2014): Gauging perceptions of ocean acidification in Alaska. Mar. Policy, 53, doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2014.11.022, 101–110. New study finds Alaskans familiar with ocean acidification, not aware of risks to fisheries New resear…

Great to see our group in the news!
04/30/2014

Great to see our group in the news!

Researchers suspect that melting glaciers pose a double-whammy for acidifying oceans, but this summer, three underwater "gliders" and sensors attached to a tour boat will be deployed in Prince William Sound to gather further information.

New ocean acidification website launched today!
03/28/2014

New ocean acidification website launched today!

Bringing information on ocean acidification to scientists, policymakers and the public

Address

Fairbanks, AK

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ocean Acidification Research Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category