THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN is a sentinel region for signs of ocean acid­ification. Approximately 30-50% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are absorbed by the world’s oceans. Dissolving CO₂ increases the hydrogen ion (H+) con­centration in the ocean, and thus reduces ocean pH. Corrosive waters reach shallower depths more so there than in other ocean basins, especially in Alaska, and so biological impacts will likely occur earlier than in many other places. Ocean acidification reduces the calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) satu­ration point, which may stress calcifying organisms by making calcification more difficult.

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center research focuses on commercially important fish and shellfish species, their prey (cal­careous plankton) and shelter (corals). Ocean acidification will likely impact the ability of marine calcifiers, such as corals and shellfish, to make shells and skeletons from CaCO₃. Ocean acidification may also affect fish, marine mammal and seabird species through reduced abundance of calcar­eous plankton at the base of the food web. Species-specific studies of shell­fish, calcareous plankton, and fish are conducted to understand physiological effects (growth and survival). The CaCO₃ content of cal­careous organisms is not well known and a survey of corals is being conducted to assess species vulnerabilities to ocean acidification. Bioeconomic models of Alaskan crab fisheries are being used to forecast fishery perfor­mance for a range of climate and ocean acidification scenarios.

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center conducts studies on king and Tanner crabs, coldwater corals, pollock and cod, and calcareous plankton. These experiments are conducted in Kodiak and Juneau, Alaska and Newport, Oregon where species-specific culture facilities and experience are available.

Related Reports and Activities

• Ocean Acidification Funding Received for FY 2012

• Ocean Acidification: Monitoring and Measuring the Physiological and Population Response of Living Marine Resources in Alaska
  
  
• A Pathway for Conducting Ecosystem Research
  
  
• Bio-economic Model to Forecast Effects of Ocean Acidification on Bristol Bay Red King Crab
  
  
• Ocean Acidification Funding Received for FY 2011
  
  

• AFSC Ocean Acidification Research Plan
   
• Preliminray Ocean Acidification Research Plan