L’impact de l’acidification de la mer Méditerranée sur la biodiversité marine est un sujet d’actualité préoccupant… Mais, certains êtres vivants semblent tirer leur épingle du jeu face à cette acidification : les herbiers marins de posidonie ! Mais jusqu’à quand ? La classe des 5e 2 du collège Albert Camus vous invite à découvrir ce trésor de la méditerranée, peu connu du grand public à travers leur émission « Radio Camus 06 s’exprime ! » Crédits : Remerciement à M. Gattuso (IMEV) pour cette entrevue enrichissante, Mme Hansson (IAEA) pour la documentation, à Mme Dargent pour son écoute et ses conseils, aux professeurs et à la classe de 5e2 pour la mise en œuvre du projet mené finalisé et à toutes les personnes qui ont participé au podcast : Emma, Iloé, Sophie, Camille, Nichita, Francesco, Amy, Manon, Sacha, Carla, Nolhan, Hadrien, Mme Cali, M. Sanchez, Mme Heams-Nérac, M. Lombardo.
Sea-Bird Scientific has introduced the Deep SeapHOx™ V2. Designed for long-term deployments in diverse environments, from shallow regions to the deep ocean, this state-of-the-art multiparameter moored system integrates the Deep SeaFET™ V2 pH sensor with the tried-and-true SBE 37 SMP-ODO MicroCAT CTD+DO sensor. The result? A powerful tool for monitoring ocean acidification and other critical physical and biological processes.
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Applications and Case Studies
The Deep SeapHOx V2 is designed to support a wide range of oceanographic research and monitoring applications:
Carbon cycle analysis – track the movement and storage of carbon in the ocean to better understand the global carbon cycle.
Climate science – collect data on ocean temperature and salinity to contribute to climate models and predict future climate change scenarios.
Coral reef monitoring – investigate the conditions that support deep-sea coral ecosystems and assess their vulnerability to environmental changes.
Deoxygenation and hypoxia monitoring – measure dissolved oxygen levels to identify and study hypoxic zones, which can have significant impacts on marine life.
Fisheries and aquaculture – early warning and monitoring for critical marine resources that are sensitive to changing pH.
Guide to inform community decision-makers, workers, educators and students
Students learn first hand about ocean acidification as part of a NOAA Climate Stewards Program in 2016. (Image credit: Dieuwertje Kast/ University of Southern California Joint Educational Project)
“The climate literacy guide is a major investment in education and workforce development that will help build America’s climate-ready workforce and communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The rising threats of climate change are accelerating, and we need a new generation of climate-literate and specially skilled workers who can help communities address a wide range of climate impacts – from sea level rise, flooding, and water quality issues – so that we can tackle the climate crisis.”
“The climate literacy guide is a rich educational resource drawing from the latest scientific consensus on a broad spectrum of topics in climate science,” said NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad, Ph.D. “It will help bring climate literacy to every community in America and around the world.”
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This resource arrives as the U.S. suffers more frequent, intense, climate-driven extreme events that impact public health, the economy and historical and cultural resources. This summer was Earth’s warmest on record, with August global temperatures extending the streak of record-high monthly global temperatures to 15 successive months.
“The updated guide is a useful entry point for anyone who wants to understand why climate change is happening, how it affects us and our communities and what we can do about it,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Climate and Environment, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
While the first edition of the guide provided a physical and natural science definition of climate literacy tailored for all forms of education, this new edition expands this standard to embrace physical science as well as local and Indigenous Knowledge, social sciences, climate solutions and climate justice. The skills and knowledge in this guide can help everyone build resilience to climate change.
According to the guide, a climate-literate person:
Understands the essential principles of Earth’s climate system and the options to address human-caused climate change. (These principles and options are summarized in the guide).
Recognizes credible information about climate change and knows where to find it.
Communicates about climate change in accurate and effective ways.
Is able to make informed decisions related to climate change.
Research in the journal Ambiooffsite link shows a climate-literate society is better able to develop and implement climate solutions that benefit all.Incorporating scientific concepts as well as Indigenous and local knowledge in communication and education can improve climate literacy and make climate actions more effective.
The guide is available in interactive web and downloadable PDF formats that will connect with learners from all walks of life. It contains photos, artwork and other compelling visuals to facilitate learning.
See why our oceans are turning acidic due to climate change.
This is an experiment which is hard to do at home and is best suited to laboratory conditions, where appropriate safety measures can be put in place. If you do not have the correct setting and equipment, we have produced a video of the experiment which you can find below.
Equipment
2l graduated cylinder
2ml potassium hydroxide (1M) or sodium hydroxide (1M)
1l water
25ml universal indicator
~10g dry ice
Method
Pour the water into the cylinder.
Add the potassium hydroxide(KOH) or sodium hydroxide. (NaOH) to the cylinder to make a dilute base.
Add 25ml of universal indicator to the cylinder. You should see the liquid turn blue/purple to reflect the basic pH. You will need to give the solution a stir.
Now gently add the dry ice into the cylinder. You should see gas bubbles rising through the solution, vapour at the top and the solution change colour to an orange/red colour.
So, what is happening here?
Dry ice is solid CO2.
As the dry ice is dropped in the liquid, it sublimates, going from a solid directly to a gas. This gas bubbles through the liquid, and the vapours you can see at the top.
The CO2 reacts with the water in the solution producing hydrogen, H+, ions.
The H+ ions produced, react with the hydroxide, OH–, ions in the base, producing water and acting to neutralise the solution.
H+(aq) + OH–(aq) → H2O(l)
However the universal indicator in solution ends up yellow, indicating the solution is a weak acid. This is because eventually there are no OH– ions left, and instead unreacted H+ remain in the solution, turning it acidic.
Optional extra: while the dry ice is still bubbling, you can add more potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide to the top of the cylinder, one pipette-full at a time. You should see the liquid temporarily returning to its purple colour, but then changing to yellow again as the carbon dioxide bubbles through.
The ocean is getting more and more acidic. Can we solve it by emptying a giant bottle of antacid into the ocean? No… but the idea of lowering the ocean’s acidity in order to decrease global carbon dioxide levels isn’t all bad. Let’s dive into the science behind ocean alkalinization, and how it could be one part of a larger solution to our global climate crisis.
(a) The ocean carbonate system. (b) Alkalinity, total CO2, pH. (c) The effect of increasing atmospheric CO2 on ocean acidity and on calcium carbonate dissolution. (d) Long-term decline of anthropogenic CO2Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification (video)’
The ocean is getting more and more acidic. Can we solve it by emptying a giant bottle of antacid into the ocean? No… but the idea of lowering the ocean’s acidity in order to decrease global carbon dioxide levels isn’t all bad. Let’s dive into the science behind ocean alkalinization, and how it could be one part of a larger solution to our global climate crisis.
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the often overlooked consequence of climate change: ocean acidification. He explains what ocean acidification is, its impact on the oceans, and explores potential solutions. This important issue is rarely discussed in the media, making it crucial for listeners to be informed and take action.
In this episode, the host discusses the significance of utilizing alternative modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, or public transport, to decrease carbon emissions from cars. The host emphasizes that these alternative transportation methods not only benefit the environment but also promote personal health.
While the host acknowledges that electric vehicles (EVs) are a viable option for transportation since they don’t consume fossil fuels and therefore don’t contribute to carbon emissions, they also encourage the use of walking, cycling, or public transport. These options are not only environmentally friendly but also promote physical activity and overall well-being.
Furthermore, the host highlights the concept of reducing food miles as a means to minimize transportation-related carbon emissions. They suggest consuming locally grown foods and eating locally, as most meals in the US travel over 1,500 miles to reach consumers. By purchasing and consuming local and seasonal food, individuals can reduce the energy and CO2 emissions associated with food transportation.
Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of utilizing alternative modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, or public transport, to reduce carbon emissions from cars. It also promotes the idea of eating locally and consuming locally grown foods to minimize transportation-related carbon emissions.
In this episode, the host emphasizes the significance of eating locally grown foods as a way to reduce the transportation of food and the associated carbon emissions. The host explains that most meals in the US travel over 1,500 miles to reach our plates, and this transportation by road, rail, or air consumes energy and releases CO2, with air freight being the most polluting. By choosing to eat locally, such as shopping at farmer’s markets or local groceries, individuals can significantly reduce the distance that food needs to travel.
Ocean acidification is a topic that has been gaining more attention in recent years, and for good reason. It is a serious threat to the health and well-being of our oceans, and ultimately to the survival of countless species that call the ocean home.
In this video, we will explore what ocean acidification is, how it occurs, and the impacts it has on the environment. We will also discuss the primary drivers of ocean acidification, including the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Through stunning visuals and clear explanations, we will delve into the science behind ocean acidification and why it is such a critical issue. We will also examine what steps can be taken to mitigate its effects and preserve the health of our oceans for future generations.
Whether you are a student, scientist, or concerned citizen, this video will provide a comprehensive overview of ocean acidification and its implications. Join us on this journey to understand one of the greatest challenges facing our planet today.
Dr. Chloe Carbonne (Laboratory of Oceanography of Villefranche, Sorbonne University, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France) and Maximiliano Szkope (University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain) will be presenting their work on calcifying organisms in the Mediterranean Sea under the effects of ocean acidification and warming.
Prof Ove Hoegh-Guldberg was among the first to sound the alarm of the threat posed by ocean warming and acidification to marine ecosystems, following pioneering research into coral bleaching and mortality.
In his 29 November keynote at the Frontiers Forum, Ove gave an update on coral reef health globally and an outlook for the future. The session was attended by over 1,500 representatives from science, policy, and business across the world.
Ove’s talk was followed by a discussion with renowned coral scientists on how to protect and restore reefs so they flourish for centuries to come:
Prof Maoz Fine | Professor, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Lisa Carne | Director/Founder, Fragments of Hope, Belize
Dr Nancy Knowlton | Sant Chair for Marine Science Emerita, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, USA
Ove led the team that revealed the molecular mechanisms of coral bleaching and developed the first projections of mass coral mortality. He heads global research, discussions, and action on the science and solutions to rapid climate change – including as Coordinating Lead Author for the ‘Oceans’ chapter for the Fifth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Coordinating Lead Author on the ‘Impacts’ chapter of the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. He also conceived and led the innovative XL-Catlin Seaview Survey, which visually recorded the health of over 1,000 km of coral reefs across 25 countries. Ove is Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia.
The Frontiers Forum showcases science-led solutions for healthy lives on a healthy planet. Watch previous sessions at https://forum.frontiersin.org
As the ocean absorbs ever more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the pH level in many of its seawaters is falling. In other words, their acidity is increasing.
Ocean acidification poses an existential threat to many forms of marine life, and thus to food chains, livelihoods and economies. What is it, and what can we do to avoid its worst impacts?
Coastal communities in many African countries rely heavily on the sea for economic, social, and nutritional services. Ocean acidification has the potential to negatively affect marine ecosystems important to these communities. The losses would be alarming for the African continent. The IAEA is working with local, regional and international partners to understand and undress potential impacts and solutions to ocean acidification in Africa.
Prof Tim Ravasi and Dr Davide Spatafora present their research on how the molecular basis and behavioural adjustments reveal potential local adaptation to acidifying oceans, a lesson from natural analogues, the second webinar from the International CO2 Natural Analogues (ICONA) Network. The first response by animals to a changing environment is predominantly through modification of their behaviour. In this context, investigating behavioural responses of fish living under low-pH/high-CO2 conditions (e.g. off volcanic seep sites) may contribute to a better understanding of how marine species might adjust or adapt to environmental conditions under projected ocean change scenarios. We carried out field-based observations and translocation experiments in the Vulcano island natural CO2 seep (southern Italy) to assess whether there is evidence for local behavioural adaptation and/or acclimatization of fish after long and short-term exposure to ocean acidification conditions predicted to occur by the end of this century. The responses of two temperate fish species, characterized by a limited home range, have been investigated and compared between fish from low-pH/high pCO2 sites and fish from control sites. Furthermore, understanding the molecular underpinnings responsible for acclimatization to acidified waters, by means of an integrated study of the brain transcriptional program of wild fish species, can elucidate on the variation in responses. We collected 130 individuals of six different reef fish species from a natural volcanic CO2 seep and nearby control reefs in Papua New Guinea. Differences in brain gene expression in fish from CO2 seeps compared to fish from control sites as well as differences among species identified the molecular pathways controlling the cellular responses to elevated CO2. These studies provide a broader understanding as to the behavioural and molecular alterations crucial for coping with naturally elevated CO2 conditions.
All presentations from the 5th International Symposium on the Ocean in a High CO2 World (13-16 September 2022) have been posted on the Symposium YouTube channel. All talks are labeled by day, room and theme of participation. The description of each video lists the presentations captured in each video.
Plenary talks will always remain available indefinitely and other talks will be available for one month only.
