Organizers: Alexandra Rao, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a.rao@nioo.knaw.nl; Christian Wild, Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT), christian.wild@zmt-bremen.de; Matthew Charette, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, mcharette@whoi.edu
Recent research has demonstrated that the release of fossil fuel CO2 to the atmosphere leads to ocean acidification, which is predicted to have a strong adverse effect on marine ecosystems. At the same time, our perceptions of the benthic boundary layer continue to evolve, encompassing a complex interplay of physical, chemical and biological processes in sediments. The links between sediments and ocean acidification are not unidirectional, and the emerging model suggests that numerous feedbacks may impact future changes in ocean chemistry and benthic ecosystems on multiple time scales. Key players include (i) biological communities, from coral reefs to microorganisms and macrofauna in deep and shallow sediments, whose activities have wide-ranging implications for benthic ecology, elemental cycling, and commercial fisheries, (ii) transport and reaction in deep sea and continental margin sediments, including the impact of tides, waves, and bottom currents in permeable sands, and (iii) submarine groundwater discharge, carbonate and pH dynamics in subterranean estuaries. This session aims to bring together experts in measurements and modeling of ocean acidification and benthic processes to address methodological and conceptual challenges pertaining to studies at the frontier between these disciplines. We encourage multi-disciplinary contributions.
2012 Ocean Sciences Meeting
20-24 February 2012
Salt Lake City · Utah · USA
