Shrinking shellfish? Risk of acidic water in the Indian River Lagoon

Published 17 February 2026 Press releases Leave a Comment
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Researchers, Boat

FAU researchers measured aragonite saturation – a key indicator of water’s ability to support calcifying organisms like clams and oysters – throughout the Indian River Lagoon.

Florida’s Indian River Lagoon (IRL), one of the state’s most ecologically productive estuaries, is facing a growing but invisible threat that could reshape its marine ecosystems. Over the past decade, the lagoon has suffered severe degradation caused by nutrient pollution, excessive freshwater runoff, harmful algal blooms (HABs), and declining water quality. These changes have led to the loss of tens of thousands of acres of seagrass and have negatively impacted shellfish, fish, dolphins, manatees and other key species.

A new study from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute now reveals that these pressures are also contributing to coastal acidification, a chemical shift in the water that threatens the ability of shell-building marine organisms to grow and thrive. 

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To understand these changes, FAU Harbor Branch researchers studied the IRL from 2016 to 2017, measuring Ωarag and other water chemistry factors. They examined how nutrients, freshwater inputs, and other environmental conditions affect the lagoon’s ability to support shell-building marine life.

The study used two approaches. First, researchers conducted a broad survey across the lagoon, from nutrient-rich northern areas to southern regions affected by freshwater inflows. Second, they did weekly sampling at three central sites with different salinity and land-use conditions: an urban-influenced canal, a river mouth affected by urban and agricultural runoff, and a relatively natural reference site with strong ocean exchange.

Results of the study, published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, revealed clear patterns. Northern sites with high nutrient concentrations and frequent HABs had lower aragonite saturation. Southern sites, influenced by freshwater discharges, also had lower Ωarag, primarily due to reduced salinity and dilution of aragonite. In the weekly surveys, Ωarag was positively correlated with salinity and negatively correlated with nutrient levels, confirming that both freshwater input and nutrient pollution play a role in controlling water chemistry.

Continue reading ‘Shrinking shellfish? Risk of acidic water in the Indian River Lagoon’

The silent shift: how ocean acidification and rising temperature affect marine organisms

Published 17 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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The increased absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is the cause of ocean acidification. This has an adverse effect on marine calcifiers such as corals and shelled mollusks by lowering ocean pH and altering carbonate chemistry. Global warming-induced increases in ocean temperatures have serious repercussions for marine life as well, upsetting food webs, changing species ranges, and compromising physiological functions. The early life stages of shelled mollusks, such as gastropods and bivalves, are the most susceptible to the effects of ocean acidification. The growth, shell production, and survival of both juvenile and adult mollusks can be adversely affected by ocean acidification. The nutritional value of phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food chain, may be impacted by ocean acidification. This may limit zooplankton’s ability to develop and reproduce, and higher trophic levels. The detrimental effects on marine ecosystems can be intensified by the interaction of ocean acidification, heat, deoxygenation, eutrophication, and pollution. Marine resources like fisheries and aquaculture are seriously threatened by ocean acidification and climate change, which might have negative social and economic effects. Reducing CO2 emissions, preserving and repairing marine habitats, and putting sustainable resource management techniques into practice are some ways to deal with these problems.

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Linking surface pCO2 variability to physical processes along a continental shelf–ocean transect in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean during austral autumn and winter

Published 17 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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The southwestern South Atlantic Ocean is an important global sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), driven by increased primary productivity in a nearby region where oligotrophic warm currents converge with nutrient-rich cold waters. However, uncertainties remain regarding CO2 dynamics and the role of physical processes in CO2 uptake across this region. Here, we assess variations in surface partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and air–sea CO2 fluxes in the Southwest Atlantic, along a transect from the continental shelf to the open ocean at 34.5°S during austral autumn 2018 and winter 2019. High-resolution spatial measurements of the temperature, salinity, and molar fraction of surface CO2 were conducted. In autumn 2018, the shelf region acted as a source of CO2 to the atmosphere (median of 3.2 mmol CO2 m-2 d-1), which was partially offset by a sink (median of –2.5 mmol CO2 m-2 d-1) in the open ocean. In contrast, the entire transect in winter 2019 presented median CO2 emissions of ~1.5 mmol CO2 m-2 d-1, which differs from climatological estimates. The spatial and seasonal variations in surface ocean pCO2 were linked to variable hydrodynamic processes, including water masses and mesoscale structures. Our findings reveal that, in one of the most productive oceanic waters worldwide, pCO2 may be influenced by distinct continental inputs (e.g., rivers, runoff, and groundwater discharge) and water masses (e.g., Tropical Water, Plata Plume Water and Subtropical Shelf Water). Therefore, the local hydrodynamic processes can modulate high spatial and seasonal variability in CO2 exchange at the ocean–atmosphere interface, with potential implications for regional and global carbon budgets. General results, such as climatological, cannot fully capture the influence of regional upwelling and continental water input, which highlights the importance of high-resolution regional observations.

Continue reading ‘Linking surface pCO2 variability to physical processes along a continental shelf–ocean transect in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean during austral autumn and winter’

Seasonal air-sea CO2 flux dynamics in Colombia’s Gorgona Marine Area during La Niña 2021–2022

Published 17 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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Air–sea CO₂ fluxes in tropical coastal zones are strongly influenced by ENSO variability, but in situ measurements in the Eastern Tropical Pacific remain scarce. We assessed seasonal CO₂ dynamics around Gorgona Island (Panama Bight, Colombian Pacific) under La Niña 2021–2022. From November 2021 to July 2022, we conducted monthly sampling at seven stations spanning the Guapi River plume to the open ocean, measuring physical (SST, SSS, thermocline depth), chemical (TA, DIC, pH, carbonate system parameters), and biological (chlorophyll-a) variables, and estimating net CO₂ fluxes (FCO₂) with the Liss and Merlivat (1986) parameterization and atmospheric CO₂ from NOAA. La Niña featured a cool-water anomaly (−0.78 °C), enhanced precipitation (+59%) and river discharge (+44%) relative to multi-year means. The nine-month mean CO₂ flux was near neutral (−0.01049 ± 0.00014 mol C m⁻²) but strongly seasonal: six post-upwelling months showed slightly positive fluxes (0.00929 ± 0.000147 mol C m⁻²) associated with high precipitation (746.4 ± 214.7 mm), warmer SST (27.5 ± 0.4 °C), elevated pCO₂w (567 ± 97.5 µatm) and lower pH (7.869 ± 0.040), whereas three upwelling months showed slightly negative fluxes (−0.00119 ± 0.00010 mol C m⁻²) with reduced precipitation (165.8 ± 82.4 mm), cooler SST (26.5 ± 0.2 °C), lower pCO₂w (461 ± 92.8 µatm) and higher pH (7.968 ± 0.048). La Niña amplified pCO₂w variability (316–839 µatm) via vertical Ekman pumping, horizontal transport (Zonal Ekman Transport, tides), and freshwater inputs, while a persistent thermocline (10–40.1 m) restricted deep CO₂-rich waters from reaching the surface. Biological uptake further modulated outgassing, as evidenced by chlorophyll-a and ΔDIC dynamics. Overall, CO₂ fluxes were relatively low compared with other tropical estuarine and oceanic sources. These results underscore the need for sustained in situ observations in estuarine–ocean systems to refine predictive models of CO₂ fluxes under ENSO conditions.

Continue reading ‘Seasonal air-sea CO2 flux dynamics in Colombia’s Gorgona Marine Area during La Niña 2021–2022’

Seaweeds (Ulva, Gracilaria) significantly increase the growth rates of North Atlantic oysters, scallops, and clams grown in an aquaculture setting

Published 17 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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Highlights

  • Seaweeds significantly increased the growth rates of oysters by 20–70%, of clams by 60–70%, and of scallops by 130–140%.
  • Seaweeds caused significant increases in pH, DO, and the saturation state of calcium carbonate (Ω).
  • Seaweeds caused a significant increase in the concentrations of suspended chlorophyll a.
  • Co-culture of seaweeds with bivalves accelerates the growth rate of bivalves by increasing pH, DO, Ω, and food availability.

Abstract

While bivalve populations are threatened by climate change stressors including ocean acidification and hypoxia, the photosynthetic activity of seaweeds can raise the pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) of seawater, combatting these stressors. Here, three commercially important North Atlantic bivalves (Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica; hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria; bay scallops, Argopecten irradians) were grown in the presence and absence of two common seaweeds (Ulva sp. and Gracilaria sp.) in replicated 300 L outdoor aquaculture tables with flow-through seawater. Environmental conditions including pH, DO, and chlorophyll a were continuously monitored and levels of dissolved inorganic carbon and the complete carbonate chemistry of seawater were quantified. The presence of seaweeds significantly increased shell- and tissue-based growth rates of oysters by 20–70%, of clams by 60–70%, and of scallops by 130–140% (p < 0.05) with both seaweeds being similarly effective. Both seaweed species caused significant increases in pH, DO, and the saturation state of calcium carbonate (Ω) during the day (p < 0.05) whereas differences at night were muted with night-time Ωaragonite levels being at or below saturation in all treatments. In some experiments, the presence of seaweeds caused a significant increase in the concentrations of suspended chlorophyll a, suggesting that seaweeds increased the total amount and diversity of food available to bivalves. Collectively, this study demonstrates that the co-culture of seaweeds with bivalves in a land-based aquaculture setting can significantly accelerate the growth rate of bivalves by increasing pH, DO, Ω, and food availability.

Continue reading ‘Seaweeds (Ulva, Gracilaria) significantly increase the growth rates of North Atlantic oysters, scallops, and clams grown in an aquaculture setting’

Metabolic rate measurements of two benthic invertebrates under simulated climate change conditions

Published 16 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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Climate change is profoundly altering marine ecosystems through ocean warming and acidification. These stressors are especially pronounced in the Mediterranean Sea, a climate change hotspot projected to warm faster than the global average. Increased temperatures and reduced pH directly affect metabolic processes in marine invertebrates by elevating respiration rates up to species-specific thermal limits, beyond which physiological performance declines. Ocean acidification further disrupts metabolic processes by increasing energetic maintenance costs. Sessile and sedentary marine invertebrates, such as sponges and benthic gastropods, are particularly exposed to such environmental shifts due to their limited ability to escape unfavorable conditions, making physiological plasticity and local adaptation crucial for persistence.

This manuscript presents a dataset of oxygen consumption rates and wet weight measurements for two low-mobility marine species, the gastropod Hexaplex trunculus and the sponge Chondrilla nucula. Using a common garden experiment, individuals from North and South Aegean populations were exposed for three months to simulated climate change conditions combining increased temperature and reduced pH. The dataset documents respiration measurements obtained using metabolic chambers after three months of exposure, allowing comparisons across species, geographic origin, and experimental treatments.The dataset accounts for intraspecific variation in these responses, providing insight into potential adaptive differences among geographically distinct populations. These data provide a resource for future analyses of metabolic responses of marine invertebrates to combined warming and acidification conditions.

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Acute microbial and nutrient responses to elevated temperature and pCO2: a coastal UK microcosm study

Published 13 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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The coastal ocean’s ecosystem resilience is consistently hampered by the compounding impacts of projected climate change and anthropogenic perturbation. In this microcosm study, we investigated how elevated temperature and pCO2, together with episodic nutrient pollution and a short-term marine heatwave, affect the nano- and picoplanktonic community of primary producers and subsequent changes in coastal biogeochemistry. Our study demonstrates that future elevated temperature and pCO2 conditions impact the planktonic community, first by a ∼ 50 % decreased autotrophic abundance, and second by a shift from larger eukaryotic to smaller cells. When combined with a heatwave, total primary producers experienced an additional 37–38 % decrease, indicative of a negative synergistic effect beyond either stressor alone. Picoeukaryotes were particularly sensitive, declining by 44–50 %. Short-term nutrient pollution under ambient conditions induced a 41 % increase in cell abundance, but failed to stimulate biomass under elevated temperature and pCO2, and instead led to altered organic matter dynamics, including significantly lower carbon fixation. These findings emphasize the need for further evaluation of multi-stressor interactions to better understand biogeochemical vulnerability, nutrient retention, and ecological functioning in coastal ecosystems undergoing rapid climatic and anthropogenic change.

Continue reading ‘Acute microbial and nutrient responses to elevated temperature and pCO2: a coastal UK microcosm study’

Carbon concentration mechanisms in Canary Islands macroalgae and their implications for future benthic community structure under ocean acidification

Published 12 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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In recent decades, due to the anthropogenic CO2 concentration increase in the atmosphere, the chemistry of seawater has been seriously altered, producing the phenomenon known as Ocean Acidification (OA). Of all the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) present in seawater, only 1% is in the form of CO2. However, if anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the atmosphere continue, it will no longer be a limiting resource. Part of the response of marine photosynthetic organisms to these changes depends on their carbon physiology. The presence and effectiveness of carbon concentration mechanisms (CCM) can define the production and growth of macroalgae under OA conditions. Although CCMs are not essential when the seawater concentration of inorganic carbon is high, species that do not use them can see their performance improved. Our goal was to determine the presence or absence of CCMs in a total of 19 species of common macroalgae in the Canary Islands through a pH drift experiment and to establish their primary production rates through incubations and measurements of the O2 variation. Samples of each species were incubated during 8, 24 and 32 h in isolated containers and under controlled lighting and temperature conditions. Of the 19 species studied, 11 presented CCM and 8 did not present CCM. Five of the eight species that did not show the presence of CCMs in the present study are present in the CO2 seeps of Fuencaliente and one of them, H. scoparia is a dominant species.

Continue reading ‘Carbon concentration mechanisms in Canary Islands macroalgae and their implications for future benthic community structure under ocean acidification’

A systematic review of the ocean acidification research in India: research trends, gaps and recommendations

Published 11 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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Ocean acidification, a consequence of climate change, has become a significant threat to marine organisms. Globally, tremendous efforts have been made to understand its impact on different ecological and biological processes. In India, this research area is still not fully explored, but expanding at an exponential rate. Hence, it is essential to consolidate the fragmented knowledge into a systematic review, which will assist future researchers to develop their work. In this study, we utilized the Scopus, Web of Science and Ocean Acidification-International Coordination Centre bibliography to conduct a systematic review of ocean acidification research in India. We used the Biblioshiny package in R to conduct a bibliometric analysis, identify spatial and temporal research trends, and highlight the growth of literature in ocean acidification research, as well as existing knowledge gaps. We used the following keywords: ocean acidification, lowered pH, acidifying ocean, elevated carbon dioxide, elevated CO2, marine carbonate chemistry, shell decalcification and affiliation as India to obtain relevant publications. We selected 353 publications by applying relevance filtering and adherence to PRISMA guidelines. Almost one-third of the publications were non-primary articles. Among research articles, only 71 publications were found to investigate the response of marine organisms to ocean acidification. Majority of them involved single stressors, for a short term on very limited taxa. Lack of molecular-level investigation, multifactorial experimental design, and long-term observations were major gaps. This review aims to support researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in the planning, monitoring, and developing adaptation strategies. Finally, it provides recommendations for future research and policy development.

Continue reading ‘A systematic review of the ocean acidification research in India: research trends, gaps and recommendations’

Summary of ocean acidification data collected by the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program in the U.S. Pacific Islands, 2021—2023

Published 10 February 2026 Newsletters and reports Leave a Comment
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Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on earth. They provide billions of dollars annually in food, jobs, recreation, coastal protection, and other critical ecosystem services (Brander & van Beukering, 2013; Costanza et al., 2014). However, these ecosystems are also among the most vulnerable to ocean acidification (OA). Even under the most optimistic model projections, increasing atmospheric and seawater carbon dioxide concentrations are likely to occur over the next few decades, decreasing seawater pH and reducing the availability of the carbonate ion (CO32-) building blocks that corals and other marine calcifiers use to construct reef habitat (Chan & Connolly, 2013; Jiang et al., 2023). OA threatens the persistence of coral reefs by reducing rates of coral and crustose coralline algae (CCA) calcification and accelerating rates of bioerosion, thereby lowering net production of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and compromising the structural complexity and integrity of three-dimensional reef habitat (Cornwall et al., 2021; Hill & Hoogenboom, 2022). As a result, many of the ecological, economic, and cultural values offered by coral reefs could be significantly impacted by OA over the next century.

NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) provides a framework for long-term, national-level monitoring of the U.S.-affiliated coral reef areas. Funded jointly by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program and Ocean Acidification Program, NCRMP assesses the status and trends of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and supports the management of the nation’s reefs (NOAA Coral Program, 2021). NCRMP’s long-term monitoring of OA and related coral reef ecosystem responses (NCRMP-OA) evaluates patterns and trends in carbonate chemistry and key ecosystem indicators across gradients of biogeography, oceanographic conditions, habitat types, and human impacts. These data sets are used to inform the efficacy of place-based coral reef management in close collaboration with federal, state, and jurisdictional partners.

To assess the progression of OA and impacts on coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. Pacific Islands, NCRMP-OA monitoring includes the following objectives:

  • Conduct carbonate chemistry sampling to monitor spatial variability and temporal change in pH, aragonite saturation state (Ωar), and other carbon system parameters;
  • Conduct diel carbonate chemistry water sampling and oceanographic instrument deployments at select sites;
  • Conduct census-based carbonate budget assessments to estimate rates of coral reef biological carbonate production and erosion.

This report summarizes the monitoring effort and results from 2021–2023 NCRMP-OA sampling and surveys. Additional NCRMP environmental, benthic, and fish data are not included in this report, but they can be accessed at the links provided in the Data Availability section.

Continue reading ‘Summary of ocean acidification data collected by the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program in the U.S. Pacific Islands, 2021—2023’

Microbial community dynamics over large spatial and environmental gradients in a subtropical ocean basin

Published 9 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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Microbes are fundamental to ocean ecosystem function, yet they remain understudied across broad spatial and environmental scales in dynamic regions like the Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico (GOM). We employed DNA metabarcoding to characterize prokaryotes (16S V4–V5) and protists (18S V9) across 51 stations, spanning 16 inshore–offshore transects and three depths. Cluster analysis revealed three clusters corresponding to depth zones that integrated vertical and horizontal sampling: photic zone (inshore near surface–bottom and offshore surface), deep chlorophyll maximum (offshore), and aphotic zone (offshore near bottom). We applied group-specific generalized additive models (GAMs) to log-transformed abundance data of major taxa in the photic zone, identifying key environmental factors that explained 42%–82% of the variation in abundance. SAR11 and SAR86 were positively associated with temperature and dissolved inorganic carbon, while cyanobacterial genera (Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus) were differently impacted by nutrients, salinity, and pH in ways that often followed their expected ecological niches. Representatives of protist parasites (Syndiniales) and grazers (Sagenista) showed group-specific nonlinear associations with salinity, oxygen, nutrients, and temperature. Using GAMs, we expanded the spatial resolution of DNA sampling and predicted surface log abundances at 84 cruise sites lacking amplicon data. Indicator analysis was performed with sequence-level data, revealing several protists that were indicative of more acidic waters and the absence of any significant prokaryote indicators. Our results provide the first basin-scale survey of microbes in the GOM and highlight the need for coordinated omics and environmental sampling to improve predictions of microbial responses to changing conditions.

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Experimental exposure to climate change scenarios imposed alterations on the morphological traits of sessile and low-motility marine invertebrates

Published 6 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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Over the past 50 years, the oceans have absorbed over 90% of global warming heat, leading to warming, acidification, and declining oxygen levels that are disrupting marine ecosystems and altering species distributions and productivity. The vulnerability of marine organisms to these changes depends on their biological traits, habitat conditions, and adaptive capacity, influencing their growth, behavior, and overall population health. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has been previously used for studying the morphological traits of marine invertebrates, which provide important insights into species functionality and responses to climate change and ocean acidification. Micro-CT enables non-destructive, high-resolution 3D analysis of internal and external structures, allowing precise measurement of traits such as density, porosity, and morphology that are valuable for climate change research.

The present manuscript describes micro-CT imaging datasets generated to investigate the effects of climate change on the morphological structure of two low-motility benthic marine invertebrates: the gastropod Hexaplex trunculus and the sponge Chondrilla nucula. Both species are considered particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. To date, no study has investigated the effects of ocean warming and acidification on sponges using micro-CT technology. Using a common garden experimental design, individuals from geographically distinct populations exposed to different natural environmental regimes were subjected to combined warming and acidification scenarios to assess their morphological responses and adaptive capacity.

Continue reading ‘Experimental exposure to climate change scenarios imposed alterations on the morphological traits of sessile and low-motility marine invertebrates’

Untargeted mass spectrometry to investigate ocean acidification in Cancer borealis using optimized metabolite extraction methods

Published 5 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment
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Ocean acidification (OA) refers to the ongoing decline in ocean pH caused by the cascading effects of increased atmospheric CO2, which has significant negative impacts on various marine organisms, particularly crustaceans with calcified shells. However, research on the metabolic responses of crustaceans remains limited. In this study, we performed untargeted metabolomics on hemolymph samples from Cancer borealis (Jonah crab), a crustacean species well known for its tolerance to temperature and pH changes, to investigate its metabolic responses to OA. Two extraction methods—isopropanol (IPA) and acidified methanol (AcMeOH)—were employed to capture a broad range of metabolites and small peptides. Both methods enabled comprehensive detection; however, IPA yielded more consistent and extensive metabolite coverage, identifying 43 lipids compared to only 15 with AcMeOH. We identified 15 metabolites that responded significantly to OA. Several metabolites, including the potential neuropeptide cycloprolylglycine and the exogenous compound curcumin, exhibited concentration changes under OA exposure, suggesting their potential relevance in stress response pathways triggered by environmental stress. Overall, we highlight IPA as a more effective extraction method for untargeted metabolomics in crustacean hemolymph. Our study elucidates metabolic dynamics that enhance our understanding of the physiological adaptability of marine crustaceans under environmental stress and provides a comprehensive dataset that for future OA research.

Continue reading ‘Untargeted mass spectrometry to investigate ocean acidification in Cancer borealis using optimized metabolite extraction methods’

Apply now: GCAN student workshop

Published 5 February 2026 Events Leave a Comment

GCOOS and Gulf of America Coastal Acidification Network (GCAN) are seeking to support the next generation of leaders in ocean and coastal acidification in the Gulf states by inviting applications to a dedicated workshop on ocean and coastal acidification (OA/COA). The workshop will focus on teaching students how to transform ocean and coastal acidification science into management and policy solutions.

Through this award, GCOOS will welcome a cohort of Gulf-region graduate students to attend the GCOOS Spring Meeting, the GCOOS 20th Anniversary celebration and allow them to participate in the workshop. Students will engage with scientists, managers, industry and educators during this event.

The full program of activities will be shared with the awardees prior to the meeting, but the workshop will include technical skills training, GCOOS Board Members’ panel and campus tour.

During the workshop, students will present at a poster session during the GCOOS Spring Members’ meeting & anniversary celebration on April 14, 2026, then join the GCAN workshop April 15 and 16. The workshop’s first day will focus on a technical core with applied tools in ocean acidification led by the GCAN steering committee chair, followed by a panel with GCOOS Board Members and then a working session designed to help students translate posters into a two-minute briefing for resource managers, stakeholders and general audiences using plain-language messaging. The final day will conclude with recording video summaries of the students’/postdoctoral researchers’ experience and tour of the Texas A&M campus.

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Currently enrolled in a graduate program or working as a year 1-3 postdoctoral researcher at institutions in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana or Texas;
  • Be authorized to fly to College Station, Texas, to attend the meeting in person (i.e., visa is up to date);
  • Have an interest in management, policy and/or research related to ocean and coastal acidification issues.

Student Responsibilities

  • Attend full meeting in person (April 14-18, 2026);
  • Present a poster on current work relevant to OA/COA or closely linked stressors (e.g., hypoxia, eutrophication, HABs, carbonate chemistry variability);
  • Participate actively in the GCAN workshop and contribute to a short cohort deliverable (manager-ready synthesis, shared resource list, or student priority questions).

Application Deadline

  • 11:59 p.m. CT Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

Application

Submit one combined PDF via THIS FORM with:

  • Letter of intent (max 2 pages) that describes your interest in attending the GCOOS Spring Members’ Meeting and GCAN Workshop, how your interest fits with Gulf of America Ocean and Coastal Acidification needs, learning goals, and how you will apply outcomes;
  • Poster abstract (max 300 words) with title, authors/affiliations, and summary;
  • CV (max 2 pages);
  • Advisor support letter (1 page recommended) that confirms good standing and availability to travel.
Continue reading ‘Apply now: GCAN student workshop’

OA-ICC bibliographic database updated

Published 4 February 2026 Science Leave a Comment

An updated version of the OA-ICC bibliographic database is available online.

The database currently contains 9,726 references and includes citations, abstracts and assigned keywords. Updates are made every month.

The database is available as a group on Zotero. Subscribe online or, for a better user experience, download the Zotero desktop application and sync with the group OA-ICC in Zotero. Please see the “User instructions” for further details.

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Ocean acidification, hypoxia, and harmful algal Bbloom solicitation now open – letters of intent due March 6, 2026

Published 4 February 2026 Jobs Leave a Comment
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OPC is pleased to announce the release of a California Climate Investments solicitation: Monitoring, Research, and Modeling to Support Ocean Acidification, Hypoxia, and Marine Harmful Algal Bloom Management in California. Projects should enhance scientific understanding of ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) and/or marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) to advance the State’s response related to these two growing threats to California’s coastal ecosystems and communities.

The solicitation will support projects that will strengthen California’s capacity to track, assess, and address the impacts of OAH on marine biota and ecosystems (Track 1); as well as support state management actions to prevent, mitigate, and control the impacts of HABs (Track 2). More detailed research priorities can be found in the solicitation.

Upcoming events & important dates:

OPC staff will be hosting a public webinar about the solicitation on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Learn about solicitation priorities, timeline, and application process.

Register for the Webinar

Join OPC staff for office hours on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Applicants will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance ahead of the upcoming deadlines.

Register for the Office Hours

Submit a Letter of Intent 

Letters of intent (LOI) are due Friday, March 6, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. LOI applicants invited to submit a full proposal will be notified by April 13. Full proposals are due Friday, June 12, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. (only applicants who have submitted an LOI may submit a full proposal). See the solicitation for the full timeline.

Contact

For more information, please contact Kyla Kelly, OPC Water Quality Program Manager (kyla.kelly@resources.ca.gov) with the subject line “OPC OAH/HABs solicitation”.

Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification, hypoxia, and harmful algal Bbloom solicitation now open – letters of intent due March 6, 2026’

New ocean sensors could transform how scientists track the marine carbon cycle

Published 3 February 2026 Web sites and blogs Closed
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The world’s oceans do far more than support vital marine ecosystems and provide food and recreation. They help regulate the Earth’s climate, absorbing vast amounts of heat and CO2, acting as one of the planet’s most important buffers against climate change.

Yet despite this vital role, scientists still struggle to track exactly how and where the ocean absorbs and stores CO2 – and how that process is changing.

…

Rintala is leading an international team that aims to extend ocean observing capacity by developing sensors for platforms that can operate beyond normal shipping routes and deep below the surface – far from ships and human intervention

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At the heart of the effort is the development of the world’s first autonomous sensor capable of accurately measuring total alkalinity in the ocean – from the sea floor to the surface.

Total alkalinity is a key chemical indicator that scientists use to understand the ocean carbon system and estimate how much CO2 seawater can absorb and store.

It is also critical for tracking ocean acidification – a process driven by rising CO2 levels that lowers seawater pH and threatens marine ecosystems, particularly shell-building plankton and molluscs.

“Ocean acidification is very harmful for many marine organisms,” said Rintala. “It can cause cascading effects that ripple up the food web.”

Until now, total alkalinity has usually been measured by collecting fixed seawater samples from ships and analysing them later in onshore laboratories. That approach provides valuable data, but only at isolated points in time and space.

“If we are interested in the carbon content of the ocean as a whole, we need to measure deeper,” said ocean scientist Socratis Loucaides, based at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC).

Loucaides and his colleagues at NOC are leading the development of a radically different approach: a compact lab-on-a-chip sensor that performs a miniature chemistry experiment inside the instrument itself.

Inside the device, a small seawater sample is mixed with an acid of known strength and a dye that changes colour depending on acidity. A light-based sensor then reads those colour changes to calculate the alkalinity of the surrounding seawater.

By doing this directly in the deep ocean, the sensor can build up a far more detailed picture of how carbon is stored and transported over time – and potentially reveal early warning signs of change.

Continue reading ‘New ocean sensors could transform how scientists track the marine carbon cycle’

Resilience of the macroalgae Gongolaria barbata under ocean acidification: physiological responses and restoration perspective

Published 3 February 2026 Science Closed
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The increasing CO2 concentration is a major cause of the climate change phenomenon. Concurrently, the same increase is leading to ocean acidification (OA), which is projected to decrease seawater pH by 0.4 units by 2100. Here we investigated the potential impacts of OA on the canopy-forming brown macroalga Gongolaria barbata from the Venice Lagoon. One-year-old individuals were maintained in mesocosms under two pH levels: 8.1 (current ambient value) and 7.7 (the end-of-the-century value predicted under the current scenario of anthropogenic CO2 emissions). The physiological responses of the algae were assessed during the experiment in terms of oxygen production and consumption, and maximal PSII photochemical efficiency. At the end of the experiment, we analyzed the percentage of mature receptacles, algal growth rate and the total polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity as indicators of the stress response. The significant decrease in polyphenolic content indicates the impairment of the defence mechanisms, which could make the algae more vulnerable to grazing under acidified conditions. Yet, conversely, our results suggest that changes in pH levels do not significantly affect the physiological processes, growth or fertility of the algae. These findings suggest that while OA may weaken defence mechanisms, the preservation of physiological and reproductive functions would still support the potential of G. barbata populations from the Venice Lagoon to act as donor sources for restoration efforts, highlighting their resistance to the acidified conditions expected in the future.

Continue reading ‘Resilience of the macroalgae Gongolaria barbata under ocean acidification: physiological responses and restoration perspective’

Ocean acidification and hypoxia research webinar

Published 3 February 2026 Events Closed
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Date – Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location – Virtual Event
Contact – Tanya Torres | tatorres@ucsd.edu

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OPC and California Sea Grant provided $2.5 million to fund three research projects addressing ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) in coastal California. These projects were selected though a competitive research call to address OAH research, monitoring, and synthesis priorities. Click here for more information about these projects.

Furthermore, OPC funded the Southern California Coastal Water Resource Project (SCCWRP) to expand and integrate biological measurements into ongoing OAH monitoring programs. Results from these four projects will ultimately provide state resource management agencies and local jurisdictions with data necessary to protect marine biodiversity and water quality, advance coastal adaptation efforts, and support climate-ready fisheries.

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Parental exposure to ocean acidification impacts the larval development and transcriptome of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

Published 2 February 2026 Science Closed
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Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are escalating at an unprecedented rate, leading to the phenomenon of ocean acidification (OA). Parental exposure to acidification has the potential to enhance offspring resilience through cross-generation plasticity. In this study, we analyzed larval growth and transcriptomic profiles in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, a species of significant ecological relevance, under both control and elevated CO2 conditions experienced by their parental generation. Our findings indicate that the oyster populations exposed to OA exhibited a higher incidence of abnormalities during the D-shaped larval stage, followed by accelerated growth at the eyed stage. Through a comparative transcriptomic investigation of eyed larvae (25 d after fertilization), we observed that parental exposure to OA substantially influenced the gene expression in the offspring. Genes associated with lipid catabolism and shell formation were notably upregulated in oysters with parental OA exposure, potentially playing a role in cross-generational conditioning and conferring resilience to OA stressors. These results underscore the profound impact of OA on oyster larval development via cross-generational mechanisms and shed light on the molecular underpinnings of cross-generation plasticity.

Continue reading ‘Parental exposure to ocean acidification impacts the larval development and transcriptome of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas’

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