Ocean acidification

We are delighted to inform you that the 5th WESTPAC Workshop on Research and Monitoring of the Ecological Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Coral Reef Ecosystems (WESTPAC OA workshop) was scheduled for 6-7 November 2018, Xiamen, China. Preceding the OA workshop, a WESTPAC OA Science workshop will be held on 5 November 2018 in conjunction with the OA workshop. We would take this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation to the Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration of China for hosing and its generous support to the two events.

As you are aware that WESTPAC has been committed to driving and coordinating the development of a sustained research and monitoring network on OA in the Western Pacific and its adjacent regions, as one regional component of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON). In addition to featuring OA studies at the 9th and 10th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conferences (22-25 April 2014, Nha Trang, Vietnam & 17-20 April 2017, Qingdao, China), its on-going efforts focus on developing a programme to monitor the impacts of ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems, mainly through a series of regional/national trainings & scientific workshops, the development of Standard Operating/Monitoring Procedures (SOPs) and their demonstrations at pilot sites, and transfer of knowledge and technology among experts, institutions and countries within and outside the region.

Continue reading ‘WESTPAC ocean acidification symposium, 5 November 2018 & fifth WESTPAC workshop on research and monitoring of the ecological impacts of ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems, 6-7 November 2018’

‘Ocean acidification and deoxygenation and their impact on ocean ecosystems: Synthesis and next steps’ – session at the PICES (The North Pacific Marine Science Organization) Annual Meeting, Yokohama, Japan, 25 Oct – 4 Nov 2018.

Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification and deoxygenation session at PICES 2018 meeting’

‘Ocean acidification and other climate stressors in high-latitude systems’ – workshop/session at the ESSAS (Ecosystem Studies of Subarctic and Arctic Seas) 2018 Annual Science Meeting, Fairbanks, Alaska, 12 – 14 June 2018.

Co-chairs: Samuel Rastrick, Kumiko Azetsu-Scott

The aim of the session is to highlight research on all aspects of acidification and climate change in northern ecosystems but particularly investigations utilising field experiments and/or natural gradients in carbonate chemistry and how such experiments could be applied in the study of northern ecosystems.

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Abstract submission for the ‘Lessons from two high CO2 worlds – future oceans and intensive aquaculture’ symposium in Ponta Delgada, Azores, 10-12 April 2018, has been extended to Midnight (GMT) on 21 February 2018.

There is also an opportunity for students and early career scientists to apply for travel grants, ranging from £250 – £500, to support their attendance at the symposium. The deadline for travel grant application is 2 March 2018, and further information including eligibility criteria is available on the SEB website.

Continue reading ‘‘Lessons from two high CO2 worlds’ symposium – abstract deadline extended and travel grants available’

São Miguel, Azores, 10 – 12 April 2018

Registration and abstract submission now open. Deadline for abstract submission: 16 February 2018.

Exponentially rising CO₂ (currently ~400 μatm) is driving climate change, and causing acidification of both marine and freshwater environments. Physiologists have long known that CO₂ directly affects acid-base and ion regulation, respiratory function, and aerobic performance. More recently, many studies have demonstrated that elevated CO₂ projected for end of this century (e.g. 800-1,000 μatm) has dramatic effects on behaviours linked to sensory stimuli (smell, hearing and vision), that have negative implications for fitness and survival. Some sectors of the aquaculture industry have been farming aquatic animals at extremely high CO₂ levels (>10,000 μatm) long before the term “ocean acidification” was coined, with limited detrimental effects reported. It is vital to understand the physiological mechanisms behind this variability in resilience to high CO₂. Potential explanations include: the relatively benign environment in aquaculture (abundant feed, disease and predator control); co-selection for CO₂ -tolerance; high “control” CO₂ levels in aquaculture studies. This symposium will highlight insights the two communities can offer from marine and freshwater settings. Bringing together climate change and aquaculture scientists will stimulate discussion on the direction of future research priorities and mitigation strategies to alleviate negative impacts of high CO₂ on future aquatic ecosystems and the sustainable production of fish, invertebrates and algae in aquaculture.

Continue reading ‘Lessons from two high CO2 worlds – future oceans and intensive aquaculture’