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 (AFSC) research focuses on commercially important fish and shellfish species and coldwater corals . Ocean acidification will likely impact the ability of marine calcifiers, such as corals and shellfish, to make shells and skeletons from CaCO₃. Species-specific studies of shell­fish 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 AFSC conducts studies on king and tanner crabs, coldwater corals, pollock, cod and northern rock sole. These experiments are conducted in Kodiak, Alaska, and Newport, Oregon, where species-specific culture facilities and experience are available.

Related Reports and Activities

• NOAA's Alaska Ocean Acidification Research Plan for FY15-FY17. AFSC Processed Rep. 2015-02, 59 p.



• Ocean Acidification Funding Received for FY 2013



• Ocean Acidification Funding Received for FY 2012

• Ocean Acidification and EFH Research Funding for FY 2015
  
  
• Ocean Acidification Funding FY2015
  
  
• Ocean Acidification and EFH Research Funding for FY 2014
  
  
• Ocean Acidification Planning for 2015-17
  
  
• Bering Sea Tanner Crab Bioeconomic Model to Forecast Effects of Ocean Acidification
  
  
• Economic Impacts of Changes in Bristol Bay Red King Crab Fishery from Ocean Acidification
  
  
• Research Funding for FY 2013
  
  
• Economic Impacts of Changes in an Alaska Crab Fishery from Ocean Acidification
  
  
• Estimating Regional Economic Impacts of Changes in an Alaska Crab Stock Yields from Ocean Acidification
  
  

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