Interactive impacts of CO2-induced seawater acidification and cadmium exposure on antioxidant defenses of juvenile tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

Published 8 April 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • Both SA and Cd induce oxidative stress and boost LPO in tongue sole.
  • SA amplifies oxidative stress and intensifies LPO in fish by interacting with Cd.
  • Antioxidants exhibit a higher sensitivity to SA compared to Cd exposure.
  • Escalating levels of stressors enhance the integrated antioxidant response.
  • Sensitive biomarkers for oxidant stress by SA and Cd exposure are identified.

Abstract

Antioxidant responses of juvenile sole exposed to seawater acidification (SA) and Cd were investigated. SA increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the fish, independent of Cd concentrations. Cd at medium and high levels inflated LPO under no or moderate SA conditions. This effect was absent under high SA levels, due to SA effect exceeding and obscuring Cd effect. SA and Cd collaborated to provoke LPO, with SOD and CAT being stimulated to defend against oxidative stress, while those related to GSH redox cycle were inhibited under SA exposure. Responses of GSH-related antioxidants to Cd impact varied contingent on their interactions with SA. This defensive strategy was insufficient to protect fish from increased LPO. Antioxidants responded more sensitively to SA than Cd exposure. GSH, GR, SOD and CAT are sensitive biomarkers for SA conditions. The findings offer insights into assessing fish’s antioxidant defense strategy under Cd and SA circumstances in natural habitats.

Continue reading ‘Interactive impacts of CO2-induced seawater acidification and cadmium exposure on antioxidant defenses of juvenile tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis’

Respiratory protein-driven selectivity during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction

Published 8 April 2024 Science Closed
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Extinction selectivity determines the direction of macroevolution, especially during mass extinction; however, its driving mechanisms remain poorly understood. By investigating the physiological selectivity of marine animals during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction, we found that marine clades with lower O2-carrying capacity hemerythrin proteins and those relying on O2 diffusion experienced significantly greater extinction intensity and body-size reduction than those with higher O2-carrying capacity hemoglobin or hemocyanin proteins. Our findings suggest that animals with high O2-carrying capacity obtained the necessary O2 even under hypoxia and compensated for the increased energy requirements caused by ocean acidification, which enabled their survival during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction. Thus, high O2-carrying capacity may have been crucial for the transition from the Paleozoic to the Modern Evolutionary Fauna.

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PML in Barcelona for the UN Ocean Decade Conference 

Published 8 April 2024 Web sites and blogs Closed
Barcelona, Spain

This year marks the fourth year of implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Under the leadership of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the Ocean Decade has already galvanized thousands of partners around the world to start delivering the science we need for the ocean we want. 
 
Our Director of Science, Prof. Steve Widdicombe, sits on the Ocean Decade Conference Programme Committee and PML staff are leading and taking part in several satellite events on-site and off-site.   
You can access information about all PML activities at the conference here >> 

Ahead of the week, our team shared hopeful thoughts regarding the opportunities this special conference will bring. 

“This Ocean Decade Conference brings together all the different sectors of the global ocean community around our shared commitment to build a better future for our ocean. It will be a chance to exchange new ideas and build exciting partnerships with experts from science, industry, government and civil society. As a co-leader for the UN Ocean Decade programme on ocean acidification OARS, I will be looking to increase the visibility of this programme and foster new collaborations across key areas of science, public understanding and ocean governance. As Director of Science at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the conference is a chance to showcase the amazing research and impact work we are doing to protect and restore biodiversity, minimize the impacts of climate change, fight the causes and effects of marine pollution and support the development of transformative, less harmful, ocean practices. At PML, we are committed to using our science to build a more equitable, sustainable and responsible relationship between human society and our ocean, mutually benefiting both people and nature.” 

– Professor Steve Widdicombe, PML’s Director of Science and Co-Chair of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) Executive Council, in addition to Co-lead of the UN Ocean Decade endorsed programme ‘Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability’ (OARS). 

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How do Atlantic surfclams respond to ocean warming and acidification?

Published 8 April 2024 Web sites and blogs Closed

Postdoctoral researcher Laura Steeves collaborates with NOAA Fisheries to understand how a species important to New Jersey will respond to changing ocean conditions.

A female scientist standing in front of several cylindrical tanks of seawater.

Laboratory experiment at the Rutgers Aquaculture Innovation Center in Cape May, New Jersey. Surfclams are being exposed to different combinations of pH and temperature to observe how they respond to environmental stress. Credit: Laura Steeves/Rutgers University

The Atlantic surfclam is a shellfish species recognized for their large shells that wash up on beaches along the east coast of the United States. I’ve been collecting surfclam shells along New Jersey’s beaches since I moved here a year ago to work at the Rutgers University Haskin Shellfish Research Lab. Here, I research how changing ocean conditions will impact this important species.

Beyond being a great beach souvenir, surfclams support a valuable commercial fishery in the mid-Atlantic region. They are used in regional dishes such as clam chowder. The mid-Atlantic, home to many important marine species including the surfclam, is changing rapidly because of global climate change. Ocean warming and acidification are particularly significant concerns for shellfish.

Warming ocean temperatures directly impact shellfish growth rates and very high temperatures can be lethal to shellfish. Subtle changes in ocean chemistry including pH can also cause physiological stress and impact the integrity of surfclam shells.

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Continue reading ‘How do Atlantic surfclams respond to ocean warming and acidification?’

Join us for source-to-sea synergies at the Ocean Decade Conference

Published 8 April 2024 Web sites and blogs Closed

The ocean faces significant risks from upstream and land-based actions; addressing the interlinked impacts is hindered by fragmented governance and isolated actions. Source-to-sea management bridges gaps in governance of various environments by fostering collaboration among stakeholders from land to the ocean. By working together, we can effectively manage ecosystems’ health and enhance societal resilience.

SIWI is excited to join the Ocean Decade Conference, where our team will work closely with both ocean and freshwater communities to close the gap, cultivate knowledge, and move from science to action for a healthy ocean. By focusing on our scientific understanding of source-to-sea linkages, we put the spotlight on barriers hindering knowledge development, cross-sectoral policymaking, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“A healthy ocean depends on healthy rivers – the ocean is suffering from the impact of land-based activities,” says Gustav Thungren, Programme Manager, Water Cooperation & Diplomacy, SIWI. “Nutrients, plastic, and chemical pollution from terrestrial areas lead to degraded ecosystems, affecting the blue economy. Greenhouse gases lead to acidification and undermine the ability for the ocean to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration. To receive all the benefits of a healthy ocean we need to generate interlinked knowledge and build bridges across scientific and practitioner communities to tackle the challenges holistically.”

The session, Catalyzing Source-to-Sea Synergies towards Healthy Rivers and a Healthy Ocean, will host a variety of scientists and practitioners from different contexts who will share their lessons learned from working with a range of stakeholders, across the silos that separate terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and ocean actors, and hone in on coordinated actions that benefit the entire source-to-sea system.

The session draws from two endorsed programmes of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. These programmes focus on the interdependencies between the freshwater and ocean systems, through the Healthy Rivers Healthy Ocean Programme, and on advancing the science of ocean acidification, through the Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability Programme. Additionally, the findings and outcomes from the session will be effectively disseminated through the Action Platform for Source-to-Sea Management (S2S Platform), a network of over 45 organizations dedicated to promoting, implementing, and building expertise on source-to-sea management. Through this collaborative network, the valuable insights gained from the session will reach a broader audience, fostering greater awareness and collective action toward holistic approaches for managing the entire source-to-sea system.

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Ocean acidification and desalination increase the growth and photosynthesis of the diatom Skeletonema costatum isolated from the coastal water of the Yellow Sea

Published 5 April 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • This study aims to investigate the combined effects of pH (400 μatm and 1000 μatm), temperature (10 °C, 20 °C), and salinity (20 psu, 30 psu) on the diatom S. costatum.
  • In this study, we investigated the effects of ocean acidification and seawater desalination on Skeletonema costatum in varying seasonal temperatures.
  • We found that ocean acidification and seawater desalination promoted the growth of S. costatum under the simulated conditions.

Abstract

Global climate changes induce substantial alterations in the marine system, including ocean acidification (OA), desalination and warming of surface seawater. Here, we examined the combined effects of OA and reduced salinity under different temperatures on the growth and photosynthesis of the diatom Skeletonema costatum. After having been acclimated to 2 CO2 concentrations (400 μatm, 1000 μatm) and 2 salinity levels (20 psu, 30 psu) at temperature levels of 10 °C and 20 °C, the diatom showed enhanced growth rate at the lowered salinity and elevated pCO2 irrespective of the temperature. The OA treatment increased the net photosynthetic rate and biogenic silica (Bsi) contents. Increasing the temperature from 10 to 20 °C raised the net photosynthetic rate by over twofold. The elevated pCO2 increased the net and gross photosynthetic rates by 20%–40% and by 16%–32%, respectively, with the higher enhancement observed at the higher levels of salinity and temperature. Our results imply that OA and desalination along with warming to the levels tested can enhance S. costatum‘s competitiveness in coastal phytoplankton communities under influence of future climate changes.

Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification and desalination increase the growth and photosynthesis of the diatom Skeletonema costatum isolated from the coastal water of the Yellow Sea’

Meiobenthos and ocean acidification: effects on meiobenthic communities inhabiting Mediterranean cold shallow CO2-vents

Published 5 April 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • Ocean acidification modify the composition of marine communities.
  • Meiobenthos around Castello Aragonese is influenced by CO2 emissions.
  • Nematofauna inhabiting CO2 vents is adapted to pH variability.
  • Acidification influences nematode diversity and functional diversity.
  • Sediment type and O2 are major factors affecting the nematofauna.

Abstract

Ocean acidification is causing major changes in marine ecosystems, with varying levels of impact, depending both on the habitat and the studied organisms. Here, we investigated for the first time the meiobenthos and nematode fauna inhabiting the sediments around Castello Aragonese (Ischia, Italy), characterized by variable pH values due to coastal volcanic CO2 venting. In this scenario, nematode functional diversity changed according to different pH levels and grain size: maturity index was higher at most acidic stations and trophic composition spanned from the dominance of predators in the acidic stations, to the high abundance of non-selective deposit feeders and epistrate feeders in the ambient-pH stations. Overall, the present study revealed a relatively high tolerance of meiobenthos and nematodes to lower pH conditions. However, an in-depth analysis of nematode fauna showed differences in their assemblages at different pH levels with few nematode genera rather adapted to the extreme environmental conditions at the acidic stations.

Continue reading ‘Meiobenthos and ocean acidification: effects on meiobenthic communities inhabiting Mediterranean cold shallow CO2-vents’

Disparate response of decapods to low pH: a meta-analysis of life history, physiology and behavior traits across life stages and environments

Published 5 April 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • Predicted level of ocean acidification is a threat for calcifier marine invertebrates.
  • Decapods, thought debatable, are presumably resilient.
  • Our meta-analysis revealed few impacts that mainly vary across biological traits.
  • Effect sizes little vary depending on the life stages and environments.

Abstract

We employed a meta-analysis to determine if the presumed resilience of decapods to ocean acidification extends to all biological aspects, environments, and life stages. Most response categories appeared unaffected by acidification. However, certain fitness-related traits (growth, survival, and, to some extent, calcification) were impacted. Acid-base balance and stress response scaled positively with reductions in pH, which maintains homeostasis, possibly at the cost of other processes. Juveniles were the only stage impacted by acidification, which is believed to reduce recruitment. We observed few differences in responses to acidification among decapods inhabiting contrasting environments. Our meta-analysis shows decapods as a group slightly to moderately sensitive to low pH, with impacts on some biological aspects rather than on all specific life stages or habitats. Although extreme pH scenarios may not occur in the open ocean, coastal and estuarine areas might experience lower pH levels in the near to medium future, posing potential challenges for decapods.

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Ocean acidification (audio & video)

Published 5 April 2024 Presentations , Resources Closed
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OA-ICC bibliographic database updated

Published 4 April 2024 Science Closed

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

The database currently contains 10,803 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.

OA-ICC, 3 April 2024.

Countering the effect of ocean acidification in coastal sediments through carbonate mineral additions

Published 4 April 2024 Science Closed
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Along with its impact on calcifying plankton, ocean acidification also affects benthic biogeochemistry and organisms. Compared to the overlying water, fluid composition in sediments is altered through the effect of the mineralization of organic matter, which can further lower both pH and the carbonate saturation state. This can potentially be counteracted by the addition of carbonate minerals to the sediment surface. To explore the biogeochemical effects of mineral additions to coastal sediments, we experimentally quantified carbonate mineral dissolution kinetics, and then integrated this data into a reactive transport model that represents early diagenetic cycling of C, O, N, S and Fe, and traces total alkalinity, pH and saturation state of CaCO3. Model simulations were carried out to delineate the impact of mineral type and amount added, porewater mixing and organic matter mineralization rates on sediment alkalinity and its flux to the overlying water. Model results showed that the added minerals undergo initial rapid dissolution and generate saturated conditions. Aragonite dissolution led to higher alkalinity concentrations than calcite. Simulations of carbonate mineral additions to sediment environments with low rates of organic matter mineralization exhibited a significant increase in mineral saturation state compared to sediments with high CO2 production rates, highlighting the environment-specific extent of the buffering effect. Our work indicates that carbonate additions have the potential to effectively buffer surficial sediments over multiple years, yielding biogeochemical conditions that counteract the detrimental effect of OA conditions on larval recruitment, and potentially increase benthic alkalinity fluxes to support marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) in the overlying water.

Continue reading ‘Countering the effect of ocean acidification in coastal sediments through carbonate mineral additions’

The effect of climate change on sources of radionuclides to the marine environment

Published 4 April 2024 Science Closed
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Climate change interacts with the sources and cycling of contaminants, such as radionuclides, in the environment. In this review, we discuss the implications of climate change impacts on existing and potential future sources of radionuclides associated with human activities to the marine environment. The overall effect on operational releases of radionuclides from the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors will likely be increased interference or prevention of normal operations due to weather-related events. For certain radioactive waste dumped at sea and sunken nuclear submarines, the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on the release of radionuclides and their subsequent fate in the marine environment should be considered further. Fluxes from secondary sources of radionuclides in the marine and terrestrial environment and cryosphere will change in response to climate change impacts such as sea level rise, warming and changes in precipitation patterns. In addition, climate change impacts may increase the risk of releases of radionuclides from operational and legacy wastes on land to the marine environment. Overall, our synthesis highlights that there is a need to understand and assess climate change impacts on sources of radionuclides to the marine environment to meet environmental and management challenges under future climate scenarios.

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Submarine groundwater discharge and ocean acidification: implications from China’s coastal waters

Published 3 April 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • Uncertainties exist in SGD and coastal acidification characterization.
  • Relative paucity of studies on SGD input carbon at different scales in China.
  • Consider coupling of SGD-carried nutrients and carbon to coastal acidification.
  • Consider conducting qualitative and quantitative studies on SGD and acidification.

Abstract

Ocean acidification (OA) is a global environmental concern, and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is a potentially process that enhances OA. This review summarizes the relationship between two types of constituents carried by SGD into China’s seawater and OA. 1) Current research predominantly concentrates on constituent fluxes from SGD, neglecting its ecological impacts on carbon and nutrients budgets, as well as the mechanisms between carbon and nutrients. 2) Uncertainties persist in SGD research methods and acidification characterization. 3) There’s a need to enhance quantitative research methods of SGD-OA, particularly in areas with intricate biogeochemical processes. Effective identification methods are crucial to quantify SGD’s contribution to OA. Investigating core scientific questions, including SGD’s impact on OA rates and scales, is paramount. While the primary focus is on SGD-OA research in China, insights gained from novel perspectives could have broader value for coastal management globally.

Continue reading ‘Submarine groundwater discharge and ocean acidification: implications from China’s coastal waters’

Systematic review of the uncertainty of coral reef futures under climate change

Published 3 April 2024 Science Closed
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Climate change impact syntheses, such as those by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, consistently assert that limiting global warming to 1.5 °C is unlikely to safeguard most of the world’s coral reefs. This prognosis is primarily based on a small subset of available models that apply similar ‘excess heat’ threshold methodologies. Our systematic review of 79 articles projecting coral reef responses to climate change revealed five main methods. ‘Excess heat’ models constituted one third (32%) of all studies but attracted a disproportionate share (68%) of citations in the field. Most methods relied on deterministic cause-and-effect rules rather than probabilistic relationships, impeding the field’s ability to estimate uncertainty. To synthesize the available projections, we aimed to identify models with comparable outputs. However, divergent choices in model outputs and scenarios limited the analysis to a fraction of available studies. We found substantial discrepancies in the projected impacts, indicating that the subset of articles serving as a basis for climate change syntheses may project more severe consequences than other studies and methodologies. Drawing on insights from other fields, we propose methods to incorporate uncertainty into deterministic modeling approaches and propose a multi-model ensemble approach to generating probabilistic projections for coral reef futures.

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A laboratory study of the increasing competitiveness of Karenia mikimotoi under rising CO2 scenario

Published 3 April 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • Rising CO2 level promoted the growth of Karenia mikimotoi.
  • Rising CO2 weakened allelopathic effects of Ulva pertusa on K. mikimotoi.
  • High CO2 level disturbed the synthesis of free fatty acids in U. pertusa, decreasing its allelopathic effects.
  • Rising CO2 increases the outbreak risk of K. mikimotoi.

Abstract

Ocean acidification (OA) driven by elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels is expected to disturb marine ecological processes, including the formation and control of harmful algal blooms (HABs). In this study, the effects of rising CO2 on the allelopathic effects of macroalgae Ulva pertusa to a toxic dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi were investigated. It was found that high level of CO2 (1000 ppmv) promoted the competitive growth of K. mikimotoi compared to the group of present ambient CO2 level (420ppmv), with the number of algal cell increased from 32.2 × 104 cells/mL to 36.75 × 104 cells/mL after 96 h mono-culture. Additionally, rising CO2 level weakened allelopathic effects of U. pertusa on K. mikimotoi, as demonstrated by the decreased inhibition rate (50.6 % under the original condition VS 34.3 % under the acidified condition after 96 h co-culture) and the decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (ascorbate, vitamin C). Indicators for cell apoptosis of K. mikimotoi including decreased caspase-3 and -9 protease activity were observed when the co-cultured systems were under rising CO2 exposure. Furthermore, high CO2 level disturbed fatty acid synthesis in U. pertusa and significantly decreased the contents of fatty acids with allelopathy, resulting in the allelopathy weakening of U. pertusa. Collectively, rising CO2 level promoted the growth of K. mikimotoi and weakened allelopathic effects of U. pertusa on K. mikimotoi, indicating the increased difficulties in controlling K. mikimotoi using macroalgae in the future.

Continue reading ‘A laboratory study of the increasing competitiveness of Karenia mikimotoi under rising CO2 scenario’

Exploring our changing ocean: impacts and response to ocean acidification in the U.S.A.

Published 11 January 2024 Educational Materials , Resources Closed


The ocean has absorbed approximately 90% of excess heat and 25% of the carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere by humans.  This increased carbon pollution has consequences for our ocean.

Working together, the OA Alliance, Aquarium Conservation Partnership and NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program are advancing communications about climate-ocean changes occurring regionally in the U.S. by presenting localized information on unique impacts, responses, and calls to action taking shape across the country.  

By regionalizing information and storytelling, “Exploring Our Changing Ocean: Impacts and Response to OA” is supporting education, outreach and calls to action that associated aquarium partners and science institutions can utilize across their larger climate change narratives and outreach efforts. 

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Ocean acidification will soon be irreversible, costing $400bn

Published 24 November 2023 Press releases Closed

Published by Back to Blue, a new report Ocean Acidification: Time for Action calls on international government action to step up in a bid to prevent the worst case scenario from unfolding. It also criticises the majority of countries for ‘ocean blindness’, and failing to factor this issue into climate change adaptation and mitigation plans. 

Currently, just 12 countries have in the world have ocean acidification action plans, yet if the problem is allowed to persist and become worse, some $400billion could be wiped off the global economy. 

As oceans are allowed to become more acidic, a direct result of absorbing increasing amounts of carbon dioxide, the effect on marine life is unforgiving, including the creation of so-called ‘dead zones’, and the destruction of finely balanced ecosystems. In turn, this is a major threat to the survival of coastal communities, many of which have developed due to the abundant riches found under water, not least fisheries, meaning the livelihoods of vast swathes of people now hangs in the balance.

According to data, policy advice and research institution the OECD, globally some three billion people rely on oceans for their income. In the U.S., for example, almost half the national GDP is tied to counties that are coastal adjacent, and more than three-million jobs, or one-in-45, are directly dependent on resources within the sea or Great Lakes. 

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You can read the full report here.

Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification will soon be irreversible, costing $400bn’

Scientists say warming seas helped cause Alaska’s snow crab crash

Published 23 November 2023 Press releases Closed
Courtesy Of Tacho
According to a NOAA study, the most likely cause for the mass disappearance was starvation caused by a marine heatwave between 2018 and 2019.

When scientists estimated that more than 10 billion snow crab had disappeared from the Eastern Bering Sea between 2018 and 2021, industry stakeholders and fisheries scientists had several ideas about where they’d gone.

Some thought bycatch, disease, cannibalism, or crab fishing, while others believed it could be predation from other sea animals like Pacific cod.

But now, scientists say they’ve distinguished the most likely cause for the disappearance. The culprit is a marine heatwave between 2018 and 2019, according to a new study authored by a group of scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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More carbon dioxide in the atmosphere means warmer temperatures, Litzow said, which is bad news for the cold-loving snow crab. And more greenhouse gasses also mean more acidic oceans, which can also be dangerous for some crab.

“Carbon dioxide that we release through fossil fuels is also taken up by the oceans and has the effect of reducing the pH of the ocean — it makes it more acidic,” Litzow explained. “Because crab use calcium carbonate in their exoskeleton, they’re vulnerable to that acidification because calcium carbonate dissolves more and more easily as pH goes down.”

The good news — at least for snow crab — is they’re not as sensitive to ocean acidification as other species.

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Continue reading ‘Scientists say warming seas helped cause Alaska’s snow crab crash’

Communication and community: my internship contributing to a new wave of ocean acidification education

Published 23 November 2023 Media coverage Closed

Isaac Olson wonders why there is not a single visitor in sight at an aquarium’s ocean acidification exhibit. (Image credit: Shruthika Kandukuri)

Ocean acidification (OA) is one of the most imposing, yet still misunderstood, threats to our coasts. Even within aquariums, it can be hard to find detailed information about OA. This is a huge missed opportunity, especially as aquariums serve as one of the best places to not only educate people on marine issues, but also center issues in the affected communities. Indeed, the clock is ticking: OA is already becoming increasingly devastating ecologically, economically, and culturally. Yet, there is still an opportunity to mitigate much of the worst effects … if we act now. Thus, to enable equitable and sustainable change, it is vital to connect with people through OA communication that engages and empowers people to take action, especially in the most at-risk regions.

That’s why, as a class of 2022 Hollings Scholar, I worked with NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, and the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification on a project to address that knowledge gap. We created a suite of six StoryMaps intended for use in aquariums to educate, empower, and engage guests. Each StoryMap focuses on a different region in the NOAA Coastal Acidification Network (Alaska, the California Current, the Gulf of Mexico, the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast). Users can explore OA trends, impacts, and responses in their region, and learn how they can take action at both an individual and community level. The StoryMaps themselves are also highly adaptable for use by educators, community organizations, marine learning centers, and other groups: sections can be turned into interactive displays, sent out as virtual learning resources, and even uniquely individualized to increase community relevance. 

Explore this StoryMap for OA in Alaska, or check out our full collection of StoryMaps!

Continue reading ‘Communication and community: my internship contributing to a new wave of ocean acidification education’

COP28 Virtual Ocean Pavilion

Published 22 November 2023 Events Closed

We are excited to share the launch of the COP28 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, a free to access online platform dedicated to raising the visibility of the ocean and showcasing why the ocean matters in climate negotiations and to all life on our planet. You can access live and on–demand ocean and climate events, including high level speakers, explore exhibition booths, watch on-location COP28 reporting and interviews with delegates, take educational quizzes, earn certifications of attendance, access valuable networking opportunities and discover the treasure trove to learn more about the ocean and climate connection.
The pavilion aims to democratize the ocean at COPs and promote unity and inclusivity, whilst increasing knowledge, commitment, and action for the ocean-climate nexus at key events during the UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, UAE, 30 November-12 December 2023. It is also a key tool in increasing transparency and equitable access to climate discussions and information. To aid this process you can find an overview of the ocean events taking place at the COP28 itself with livestreaming links where available.  

The COP28 Virtual Ocean Pavilion is in its third year running and co-organized by the Global Ocean Forum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory with further collaborating partners from across the globe. The diversity of organizers and collaborating partners ensures a wide range of perspectives on ocean and climate issues and provides opportunities for forging cross-sectoral cooperation and collaboration on ocean-climate action at the national, regional, and global levels.

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