Ocean acidification data synthesis for the North Sea
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Ocean acidification is an inevitable consequence of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it increases hydrogen ion concentration (H+) and hence reduces pH. It also changes the concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate ions, increasing the solubility of calcium carbonate. The potential for these chemical changes to have potentially serious biological, ecological and socio-economic consequences was realised 15-20 years ago, and many experimental studies have since been carried out on marine species in the laboratory, using pH (and pCO2) values expected to occur in future, under 'business as usual' climate change scenarios. There have also been "open ocean" measurements made of decadal-scale changes in seawater chemistry, confirming that ocean acidification is a real event.
What has - unfortunately - been lacking until recently is the effort to measure ocean acidification in shelf seas and coastal waters, in the context of the natural spatial and temporal variability of the processes (biological and physical) that also affect pH and carbonate chemistry. This is not straightforward: few laboratories in the UK (indeed in the world) are able to directly measure pH itself with the necessary accuracy and precision to detect longterm changes; instead, pH is usually calculated from other measurements. These other measurements are also potentially problematic; both technical skill and careful quality control are needed.
Whilst the UK Ocean Acidification research programme (UKOA), the Defra-funded PLACID project and other research groups elsewhere in Europe have recently succeeded in making the necessary measurements of natural ocean acidification conditions, no-one has yet tried to bring this information together on a 'regional sea' basis, to show what conditions marine life currently experiences, from sea surface to seafloor, its seasonal changes, and the importance of local factors in determining observed variability. High resolution models can simulate some of these processes, but have yet to be fully tested against 'real data'.
By working at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and linking with leading ocean acidification researchers and the UKOA Science Coordinator at the University of East Anglia (UEA), this internship provides a near-unique opportunity to connect research communities that are involved in both observational and experimental studies of ocean acidification. Cefas has a national role in providing marine advice and evidence to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); it will therefore be able to use the information brought together by this internship as the basis for future national environmental status reports, and for European and international reporting.
UKOA will also be able to assist in disseminating the outcomes of the internship through its many international contacts, including those with the US (through the Ocean Acidification Program of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration); with ~30 other countries involved in ocean acidification measurements (through the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network); and with UN bodies (including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and the Convention on Biological Diversity).
What has - unfortunately - been lacking until recently is the effort to measure ocean acidification in shelf seas and coastal waters, in the context of the natural spatial and temporal variability of the processes (biological and physical) that also affect pH and carbonate chemistry. This is not straightforward: few laboratories in the UK (indeed in the world) are able to directly measure pH itself with the necessary accuracy and precision to detect longterm changes; instead, pH is usually calculated from other measurements. These other measurements are also potentially problematic; both technical skill and careful quality control are needed.
Whilst the UK Ocean Acidification research programme (UKOA), the Defra-funded PLACID project and other research groups elsewhere in Europe have recently succeeded in making the necessary measurements of natural ocean acidification conditions, no-one has yet tried to bring this information together on a 'regional sea' basis, to show what conditions marine life currently experiences, from sea surface to seafloor, its seasonal changes, and the importance of local factors in determining observed variability. High resolution models can simulate some of these processes, but have yet to be fully tested against 'real data'.
By working at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and linking with leading ocean acidification researchers and the UKOA Science Coordinator at the University of East Anglia (UEA), this internship provides a near-unique opportunity to connect research communities that are involved in both observational and experimental studies of ocean acidification. Cefas has a national role in providing marine advice and evidence to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); it will therefore be able to use the information brought together by this internship as the basis for future national environmental status reports, and for European and international reporting.
UKOA will also be able to assist in disseminating the outcomes of the internship through its many international contacts, including those with the US (through the Ocean Acidification Program of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration); with ~30 other countries involved in ocean acidification measurements (through the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network); and with UN bodies (including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and the Convention on Biological Diversity).
Publications
Hartman S
(2019)
Seasonality and spatial heterogeneity of the surface ocean carbonate system in the northwest European continental shelf
in Progress in Oceanography
Ostle C
(2015)
Net community production in the North Atlantic Ocean derived from Volunteer Observing Ship data
in Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Description | Improved coverage both spatially and temporally of marine carbonate measurements. Carbonate data is highly variable around the UK. Seasonal cycles demonstrate vulnerable periods of the year and suggest implications of warming/cooling. Instrument development necessary to reduce error and extend observations. Time series and continued observational data needed to assess long-term changes. Benthic organisms more likely to be impacted by decreasing pH and saturation states. Forecast models demonstrate areas of the North Sea that are particularly vulnerable. |
Exploitation Route | These findings have been synthesised in a report for policy and further research. Data from this work formed the basis for evidence provided to enquiry on ocean acidification by House of Commons Science and Technology Committee and the basis for report to Defra on recommendations for UK ocean acidification monitoring strategy. |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | Data from this work has been published in the 2017 Marine Climate Change impacts report Data from this work formed the basis for evidence provided to enquiry on ocean acidification by House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Data from this work formed the basis for report to Defra on recommendations for UK ocean acidification monitoring strategy. |
First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
Sector | Education,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | MCCIP report card on ocean acidification |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | http://www.mccip.org.uk/media/1760/2017arc_sciencereview_001_oac.pdf |
Description | Provided evidence on ocean acidification by House of Commons Science and Technology Committee |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | Report formed basis for evidence provided to enquiry on ocean acidification by House of Commons Science and Technology Committee |
Description | Provided report to Defra on recommendations for UK ocean acidification monitoring strategy. |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | Provided report to Defra on recommendations for UK ocean acidification monitoring strategy to aid with environmental monitoring. |
Description | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) |
Organisation | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | I have been carrying out a synthesis of marine carbonate measurements collected by CEFAS to create a synthesis report of carbon dioxide and ocean acidification in and around the UK seas. |
Collaborator Contribution | Cefas have provided data and support throughout the project. |
Impact | Jan 2016 AMBIO VII · University of Oxford, Oxford, UK · UK and European observations of marine CO2 and ocean acidification. Authors: Clare Ostle, Naomi Greenwood, Silvana Birchenough, David Pearce, Dorothee Bakker, Susan Hartman, Peter Landschützer, and Phil Williamson. Oral presentation. May 2015 - RV Cefas Endeavour · Data collection, SmartBuoy maintenance, collection of dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity, dissolved inorganic and organic nutrient samples. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Introduction to oceanography for divers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Course was aimed at members of the public that had an interest in the oceans, I ran a phytoplankton identification practical session and informed the public about my work and some of the sampling techniques used. Sparked interest in marine science, policy and discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://biogeopen.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/oceanography-in-the-real-world/ |