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Ocean and coastal acidification monitoring priorities for the Northeast US and Eastern Canada

Published 14 November 2024 Science Closed
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The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification monitoring Prioritization Plan 2024 calls for Coastal Acidification Networks to identify the ocean and coastal acidification (OCA) monitoring needs most important for their regions. The Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN) organized a webinar series to study regional needs, which culminated with a workshop in November 2023.

This workshop led to the identification of six priority new Monitoring Needs in addition to the maintenance of current monitoring efforts:

  • Improve spatial and temporal scale of monitoring co-located OCA variables and biological measurements to better resolve variability of acidification dynamics in concert with biological processes
  • Increase subsurface monitoring to understand how conditions vary at depth
  • Increase the number of high-frequency monitoring assets that measure at least two of four carbon parameters
  • Increase near-real-time and rapid response observing capacity to capture episodic events
  • Determine fluxes and rates that would help parameterize and constrain regional modeling efforts to understand past conditions and project future trends
  • Increase spatial coverage of “climate”-quality observations

This report presents monitoring needs and opportunities for consideration by coastal managers, decision makers, researchers, and monitoring groups. It offers options to apply new capacity or funding to the expansion of OCA monitoring in the NECAN region.

Writing the report led to the identification of a number of cross-cutting actions which will lead to the implementation of these Monitoring Needs:

  • Expand monitoring beyond carbonate chemistry to provide a complete assessment of OCA, its effects, and future trends.
  • Enhance or leverage existing monitoring platforms for a cost-effective and collaborative approach to creating a more complete OCA monitoring system in the NECAN region.
  • Expand the NECAN membership to include protected area experts, terrestrial biogeochemists and hydrologists, fisheries experts, social scientists, Tribal liaisons, project leads from large assessments, and other important stakeholders, rights holders and decision makers.
  • Increase funding in the Northeast to both sustain currently-stretched efforts and grow a more robust ocean acidification monitoring program.
  • Pursue immediate implementation of proxy approaches or interim strategies for measurements with technological or capacity limitations, while new technologies are being developed.
  • Synthesize monitoring information to advance the collective understanding of OCA in the NECAN region.
  • Deploy monitoring assets strategically, with end-user needs in mind, ensuring that the collected data is accessible, relevant, and useful for decision-making.
  • Share NECAN’s experience in developing these recommendations with other regional CANs.
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Sustainable seaweed aquaculture and climate change in the North Atlantic: challenges and opportunities

Published 4 November 2024 Science Closed
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Seaweed aquaculture is gaining traction globally as a solution to many climate issues. However, seaweeds themselves are also under threat of anthropogenically driven climate change. Here, we summarize climate-related challenges to the seaweed aquaculture industry, with a focus on the developing trade in the North Atlantic. Specifically, we summarize three main challenges: i) abiotic change; ii) extreme events; and iii) disease & herbivory. Abiotic change includes negative effects of ocean warming and acidification, as well as altered seasonality due to ocean warming. This can lower biomass yield and change biochemical composition of the seaweeds. Extreme events can cause considerable damage and loss to seaweed farms, particularly due to marine heatwaves, storms and freshwater inputs. Seaweed diseases have a higher chance of proliferating under environmentally stressful conditions such as ocean warming and decreased salinity. Herbivory causes loss of biomass but is not well researched in relation to seaweed aquaculture in the North Atlantic. Despite challenges, opportunities exist to improve resilience to climate change, summarized in three sections: i) future proof site selection; ii) advances in breeding and microbiome manipulation; and iii) restorative aquaculture. We present a case study where we use predictive modelling to illustrate suitable habitat for seaweed cultivation in the North Atlantic under future ocean warming. Notably, there was a large loss of suitable habitat for cultivating Alaria esculenta and Laminaria digitata. We show how selection and priming and microbe inoculates may be a cost-effective and scalable solution to improve disease- and thermal tolerance. Co-cultivation of seaweeds may increase both yield and biodiversity co-benefits. Finally, we show that aquaculture and restoration can benefit from collaborating on nursery techniques and push for improved legislation.

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Carbonate system and acidification of the Adriatic Sea

Published 17 October 2024 Science Closed
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Although the marginal seas represent only 7 % of the total area of the ocean, CO2 fluxes are important for the carbon budget, exposing them to the intense process of anthropogenic ocean acidification. The Adriatic Sea is currently a CO2 sink (−0.5 to −1 mol C m−2 y−1) with an annual flux comparable to the net sink rates in the NW Mediterranean. Based on a comparison of two winter cruises carried out in the 25-years interval between 1983 and 2008, an acidification rate of 0.003 pHT units y−1 was estimated in the northern Adriatic which is similar to the Mediterranean open waters (with recent estimations of −0.0028 ± 0.0003 pHT units y−1) and the surface coastal waters (−0.003 ± 0.001 and − 0.0044 ± 0.00006 pHT units y−1). The computed Revelle factor for the Adriatic Sea (approximately 10) indicates that the buffer capacity is rather high and that the waters do not appear to be particularly exposed to acidification. Total alkalinity (TA) in the Adriatic (2.6–2.7 mmol kg−1) is in the upper range of TA measured in the Mediterranean Sea. This is primarily due to the riverine inputs which transport carbonates dissolved from the Alpine dolomites and karstic watersheds. The Adriatic Sea is the second sub-basin (319 Gmol y−1), following the Aegean Sea (which receives the TA contribution from the Black Sea), that contribute to the riverine TA discharges into the Mediterranean Sea. About 60 % of the TA inflow into the Adriatic Sea is attributed to discharge from the Po River with a TA of ~3 mmol kg−1 and TA decreases with increasing salinity. The north Adriatic dense water spreading and cascading is an efficient mechanism for exporting TA and DIC at depth, from the northern Adriatic towards the bottom of the South Adriatic Pit and possibly to the eastern Mediterranean. Saturation states indicate that the waters of the Adriatic are supersaturated throughout the year with respect to aragonite (ΩAr). However, the saturation state is considerably lower in the bottom water layers, due to the prevalence of the bottom layer and benthic remineralisation in the stratification period. Effects on calcifying organisms and phytoplankton are expected in the future.

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Ecophysiology and ocean acidification in marine mollusks: from molecule to behavior

Published 17 October 2024 Science Closed
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Ecophysiology and Ocean Acidification in Marine Mollusks: From Molecule to Behavior provides an extensive overview of the latest research on the various ecophysiological effects of ocean acidification on marine mollusks. This book synthesizes historical information and recent findings on the effects of environmental change, ocean warming, and acidification on key mollusks and their life-history. It also discusses the underlying mechanisms underpinning the effects of ocean warming and acidification. Written by internationally recognized experts in the field of marine biology, this book systematically examines the effects of ocean acidification on the reproduction, growth and development, physiological metabolism, immunity, and behavior of marine mollusks.

The book concludes by discussing the implications of current research, acknowledging data limitations in the field, and proposing future research directions, providing a better understanding of the potential impacts of ocean acidification on mollusks and the global aquaculture industry and inspiring new thinking for future research practices. It will be an indispensable resource for researchers, practitioners, undergraduate and graduate students, conservationists, and aquaculturists alike who are interested in marine environmental change, ecology, physiology, and marine biology.

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Ocean acidification and biodiversity loss: connecting the dots with data

Published 16 October 2024 Newsletters and reports , Science Closed
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About the report

Ocean acidification and biodiversity loss: Connecting the dots with data is a report written by Economist Impact for Back to Blue, an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation. The purpose of this report is to highlight the need for ocean scientists to prove causal links between ocean acidification (OA) and damage to marine species, and the challenges involved in doing so.

Summary

The world is living through a biodiversity crisis. The rapid pace at which animal and plant species have declined in recent decades has led some experts to declare that another mass extinction is under way. What distinguishes this from previous periods of accelerated biodiversity loss are its causes. Whereas naturally occurring events—some sudden and cataclysmic, others more gradual—were the triggers in pre-historic times, human actions are the root cause of species decline today. They include over-hunting, over-fishing and over-farming, but potentially the most devastating in the long term is climate change brought about by our unrelenting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

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The impacts of emissions-induced climate change are readily evident in the world’s oceans, perhaps most vividly in the decline of warm water coral reefs caused by warming. Excess CO2 emissions—more than the oceans can safely absorb—are putting many other marine species under direct threat, such as several forms of plankton and shellfish. Those excess emissions also cause ocean acidification (OA), which changes seawater chemistry in ways that make it difficult for many organisms to survive or thrive.

Scientists understand the malign connection between OA and changes to ocean chemistry and biological processes. Many have highlighted the biodiversity loss that will result from OA, and the follow-on harm it will cause to marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them for food and livelihoods. Policymakers and international organisations are generally aware of the threat that OA poses. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has mandated member countries to actively combat it, and many are putting action plans in place for that purpose. At national, regional and local levels, however, where action is most vital, competing priorities too often deprive those plans of resources and impetus.

Ocean experts advocating for action against OA worry that their efforts are not creating sufficient urgency among policymakers. OA’s effects are not easy to see, unlike other manifestations of climate change. Therefore, scientists are seeking to provide incontrovertible evidence by demonstrating causality between OA and species decline. Doing so will perform another service: making it easier to determine whether OA is or is not the major stressor on marine life in specific environments, reducing the chances that remedial actions are misdirected and cause unintended harm.

Proving causality cannot be done through laboratory research alone. It requires extensive data gathering in the field, where OA’s impact on organisms can be observed in real (not simulated) environments. It also demands much closer co-ordination between researchers monitoring ocean chemistry and those monitoring biological processes— activities that thus far have been unconnected. Although decades of data gathering may be needed before some correlations are proven, the ocean experts pressing for a new approach to research believe many correlations will become manifest in the next few years.

This report discusses how current ocean research approaches can be adapted to yield such correlations. And while decades may be required for some findings to be confirmed, the report also highlights opportunities to demonstrate causality today—environments where the impacts on biodiversity can be viewed in isolation from other stressors. When it comes to prodding policymakers into action, such results could bear fruit sooner rather than later.

Key takeaways

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Back to Blue Initiative, September 2024. Report.

Handbook of climate change mitigation and adaptation

Published 24 September 2024 Science Closed
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Overview

  • Features new chapters on emerging technologies for climate change mitigation, including non-CO2-GHGs
  • Comprehensively covers the impact of climate change
  • Provides clear scientific rationale for the reality of climate change

About this book

Now in its 4th, extended edition, this completely revised and significantly expanded handbook addresses important new research findings and the global need for action related to climate change in its two most relevant aspects: mitigation and adaptation.

There is a growing consensus that anthropogenic activities have been driving global climate change, and the consequence will be catastrophic for civilization. Reducing the 37.1 billion metric tons of CO2 produced annually (2017 global emissions) along with other greenhouse gases, particularly methane, has become a leading grand challenge and the pursuit of sustainable energy, environments, and economies is a complex issue affecting the daily life of every citizen.

In this 4th edition, readers will find new chapters covering the causes and impacts of global warming, the climate change impacts on health, biodiversity, and the economy, and emerging technologies for climate change mitigation. Particular attention is given to topics such as wildfire threats, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, sea level rise, and permafrost thaw. The latest research on sustainable aviation fuels, carbon mineralization, and smart cities is also covered in this new edition, as well as topics like sustainable building design, climate-resistant building materials, and sustainable agriculture.

The Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation collates information in this multi-disciplinary area, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the scientific background and current and emerging technologies. Intended for an interdisciplinary, global audience of researchers and decision-makers at universities and in industry, it covers climate change models; established, mature, and promising future technologies and ideas; the impact of climate change; strategies for dealing with global warming; the related political frameworks; and climate education.  

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Acute hypercapnia at South African abalone farms and its physiological and commercial consequences

Published 19 September 2024 Science Closed
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Abalone Haliotis midae are distributed from the cold, hypercapnic waters of the dynamic Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem to the relatively warm, normocapnic waters of the Agulhas Current. The species supports an important fishery as well as a thriving aquaculture industry. Due to the relatively low capacity to regulate their acid–base balance and their need to calcify shell and radula, abalone are especially vulnerable to increasing ocean acidification. Exposure to acidified seawater, i.e., hypercapnia, also occurs during the farming operation and can originate from (a) changes in influent seawater, (b) pH decrease by accumulation of waste products, and (c) intentional hypercapnia for anaesthesia using CO2-saturated seawater for size grading. Currently, these are acute exposures to hypercapnia, but increasing ocean acidification can cause chronic exposure, if not mitigated. Wild South African abalone are already exposed to periodic hypercapnia during ocean upwelling events and will be more so in the future due to progressive ocean acidification. This study investigated the acute pH effects in isolation as an initial step in studying the acute physiological response of H. midae to provide a mechanistic basis for the design of complex multifactorial studies, imitating more closely what occurs on farms and in the natural habitat. The major findings relevant to the above conditions are as follows: 1. Acute exposure to hypercapnia induces a reversible, unbuffered respiratory acidosis. 2. The impact of acute hypercapnia is size-dependent and potentially fatal. 3. Exposure to extreme, short hypercapnia during anaesthesia causes a rapid imbalance in the acid–base state but a rapid subsequent recovery. LC50 for small, medium and large abalone range from pH 6.27 to 6.03, respectively, and sub-lethal levels from pH 6.8 to 6.2. These results can be used by abalone aquaculture farms to mitigate/avoid the impact of acute (and chronic) hypercapnia but also to standardise their anaesthesia method. They are also a proxy to estimate the effects on wild populations.

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Interactive impact of residual pyrethroid compounds used in the Chilean salmon farming industry and coastal acidification conditions on the feeding performance of farmed mussels in northern Patagonia

Published 3 September 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • We examine the interaction of natural environmental regimes of temperature and pH conditions, with pyrethroids concentration used by salmon farming industry in Chilean Patagonia, and its potential impact of mussel feeding (clearance and ingestion rate of newly-hatched larvae and juveniles).
  • We combined approaches, including oceanographic monitoring in a salmon and mussel farming area in Chilean Patagonia, with experiments aiming estimate the effects of two pyrethroids (deltamethrin and cypermethrin) on the clearance and ingestion rate of mussel larvae.
  • We also exposed to mussel spats to both pyrethroids, but at contrasting temperature and pH conditions mimicking winter and summer conditions.

Abstract

The use of pyrethroids in aquaculture has been an important component of achieving a thriving salmon farming industry in Chile. While the residual presence of such substances is known to depend on environmental conditions, most ecotoxicological studies to date have not considered environmental context. Here, we conducted oceanographic monitoring combined with experiments aiming to estimate the effects of two pyrethroids on the feeding rates of larvae of farmed mussels, Mytilus chilensis. In additional experiments, mussel spats were exposed to both pyrethroids, but under contrasting temperature/pH so as to mimic winter and summer conditions. Experiments mimicking spring conditions revealed that both pyrethroid substances affected the feeding of mussel larvae as a function of concentration. Conversely, significant impact of pyrethroids on adults were not observed with regard to temperature and pH, but a significant impact of low temperature/low pH condition on ingestion rates was confirmed. Given the current status of increasing ocean acidification, the results of this study are expected to provide useful information with regard to achieving sustainable mussel aquaculture, especially considering both activities occur in similar geographic areas, and the expansion of salmon farming areas is ongoing in Chile.

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Impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and mitigation strategies 

Published 30 August 2024 Science Closed
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This study explores the mechanisms of adaptation in aquatic species, including phenotypic plasticity, genetic evolution, and molecular mechanisms. Aquatic species exhibit significant phenotypic plasticity, allowing them to respond rapidly to environmental changes. Changes in gene expression related to osmoregulation and metabolic processes demonstrate how species adjust their physiological states to cope with varying conditions. Genetic evolution plays a crucial role in long-term adaptation, driven by processes such as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. Research shows that specific genes in marine mammals and freshwater prawns are crucial for their adaptation to aquatic environments. Molecular adaptations involve gene regulation, genomic changes, and epigenetic modifications. Studies on fireflies and marine diatoms provide insights into the genetic basis of adaptation to different environmental conditions.

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Small island risks: research reflections for disaster anthropologists and climate ethnographers

Published 19 August 2024 Science Closed
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Disasters and climate-related events, including tropical storms, droughts, coastal erosion, and ocean acidification, threaten small island nations. Given the urgency of reducing disaster risks and the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, this reflection essay pursues three objectives. First, it highlights the role of anthropology, ethnography, and multi-sited research in exploring disaster impacts, climate crises, and public policy in island communities. It then highlights national planning and inter-regional activities to build awareness of various risk reduction efforts by island nations and multi-governmental organizations. This article concludes with discussion prompts to engage researchers, scholars, students, and practitioners studying and working in small island nations. Due to the growing interest in climate equity and justice, this paper argues that anthropologists can offer valuable methodologies and approaches to develop transdisciplinary and nuanced insights into researching disaster risk reduction efforts and climate policy networks in and across island nations.

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Exploring coral reef benefits: a systematic SEEA-driven review

Published 19 August 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • Understand the value and assessment of coral reef ecosystem services using the SEEA framework
  • Identify features of the SEEA in coral reef ecosystem services accounting studies.
  • Explore the characteristics of extent, condition, physical and monetary values associated with implementing ecosystem services accounting in coral reef ecosystems.

Abstract

Coral reefs are among the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on the planet, providing numerous benefits to human societies, including fisheries, coastal protection, and biodiversity conservation. In order to effectively manage and conserve coral reefs, it is essential to understand the value of the ecosystem services they provide. The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework offers a comprehensive approach for accounting for ecosystem services, which can be useful for assessing the value of natural environments. While the validity of SEEA for many marine ecosystems is increasingly acknowledged, there remains a scarcity of studies that have investigated SEEA in the context of coral reef ecosystems. To bridge this gap, this study offers extensive examination and investigates the evolution of coral reef ecosystem service research under the SEEA framework in over nearly three decades, providing a rich dataset for understanding trends and gaps. The research findings reveal interdisciplinary methodological integration in coral reef ecosystem research, incorporating remote sensing, environmental science, ecology, environmental economics, ecological economics, computer science, and citizen science. Across different time periods, within the shared focus of coral reef health and sustainability, there has been a transition from concerns about the impacts of human activities to a concentration on climate change, supported by empirical evidence and case studies. These research results contribute to our better understanding of the value of coral reef ecosystems.

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Planetary boundaries transgressions: a review on the implications to public health

Published 14 August 2024 Science Closed
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This literature review systematically examines the impacts of violating planetary boundaries from 2009 to 2023, emphasizing the implications for human health. Planetary boundaries define safe operational limits for Earth’s systems, and their transgression poses significant threats to environmental stability and public health. This paper reviews extensive research on the health effects of breaches in these boundaries, including climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater use, and aerosol loading. The review integrates findings from numerous studies, providing a critical overview of health impacts across various global regions. The analysis underscores the intricate links between planetary boundaries breaching impacts, highlighting urgent policy and governance challenges. The study’s outcomes aim to inform policymakers, businesses, and communities, promoting sustainable development and resilience in the face of escalating global challenges.

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Meta-analyses reveal climate change impacts on an ecologically and economically significant oyster in Australia

Published 13 August 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • Meta-analyses indicate significant ocean acidification (OA) and warming (OW) impacts
  • OA and OW negatively impact the offspring size and mortality of Saccostrea glomerata
  • Transgenerational plasticity (TGP) to OA positively benefits offspring size
  • Research gaps include presence and persistence of TGP response to OA and OW

Abstract

Global oceans are warming and acidifying because of increasing greenhouse gas emissions which are anticipated to have cascading impacts on marine ecosystems and organisms, especially those essential for biodiversity and food security. Despite this concern, there remains some scepticism about the reproducibility and reliability of research done to predict future climate change impacts on marine organisms. Here we present meta-analyses of over two decades of research on the climate change impacts on an ecologically and economically valuable Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata. We confirm with high confidence that ocean acidification (OA) has a significant impact on the size and mortality of offspring of S. glomerata, ocean warming (OW) impacts size and transgenerational exposure of adults to OA has positive benefits for offspring. These meta-analyses reveal gaps in understanding of OW and transgenerational plasticity on an ecologically and economically significant oyster species to ensure sustainability of this iconic oyster in Australia.

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The European Ocean Observing Community: urgent gaps and recommendations to implement during the UN Ocean Decade

Published 5 August 2024 Science Closed
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The interdisciplinary community of ocean and coastal observers and modelers in Europe is driven by national observing needs for prediction and management of intricate processes shaping Europe’s Seas. Not all observing needs can be addressed by nations alone and various coordination activities exist to overcome fragmentation and create cross benefit within the European Ocean Observing Community (EOOC). This way critical insights into impacts of climate change on European Waters and cross border marine resources management can be achieved. Based on a large number of published material, this article is identifying and addressing the current state of activities of the EOOC and states gaps that potentially prevent efficacy. Key challenges include spatial and temporal coverage in observations, data integration, accessibility, uncertainties in projections, technological hurdles, and engagement and communication gaps. Detailed recommendations are provided for identified gaps, offering valuable insights for stakeholders, funders, and supporters of the EOOC. These recommendations, extending beyond academic interest, carry significant implications for climate change mitigation, marine resource management efficiency, ecosystem resilience, disaster preparedness, economic benefits, and the broader scientific advancements in European marine science, thereby benefiting society at large. As the world undergoes transformative changes impacting all facets of European life, substantial investment and support for the EOOC are crucial for precise information, accurate predictions, supporting sustained services that contribute to business growth and community resilience, and a sustainable ocean.

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Environmental life cycle assessment and potential improvement measures in the shrimp and prawn aquaculture sector: a literature review

Published 24 July 2024 Science Closed
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The shrimp and prawn aquaculture sector is a growing component of the global food supply. However, this ongoing growth can lead to environmental implications. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) enables the assessment of these consequences by providing environmental information about the entire value chain. Furthermore, LCA highlights the improvements in environmental performance. This study aims to analyze the literature on LCA of shrimp production at different locations to assess methodological approaches such as functional unit and system boundaries, inventory data collection, impact categories evaluated, and main findings. A literature review in Scopus databases is performed to achieve this aim. Among the reviewed studies, it is observed that the scope of most of them encompasses everything from hatchery to farm gate. Some cases include packaging and transport to the point of destination. The consumption and waste treatment stages have been included in only two cases. The most analyzed impact categories are climate change, eutrophication, and acidification. The critical spots identified are feed formulation and farm energy use. The shrimp aquaculture sector could enhance its environmental performance by incorporating raw materials that replace the consumption of fishmeal and soybean meal in feeds with more sustainable alternatives. The adequate adjustment of the feed conversion ratio could support mitigating the amount of sediment and unconsumed feed, thereby reducing nutrient concentration in discharges. Renewable energy sources could be employed to cover the on-farm demands.

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Investigating a connectedness between green innovation and ocean health performance in Vietnam

Published 22 July 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • We use a model-free connectedness method.
  • We focus on connectedness between green innovation and ocean health in Vietnam.
  • We differentiate between contemporaneous and lagged linkages.
  • We show the heightened influence of lagged linkage.
  • Ocean health was recognized as a net receiver in contemporaneous dynamics.

Abstract

The blue economy (BE) development has recently grown in importance, but scholars have kept silent on their determinants, especially in developing countries. This article focuses on the role of green innovation (EI). Utilizing the R2 decomposed linkage method, our investigation aims to delineate connections, particularly differentiating between contemporaneous and lagged linkages. This innovative approach is employed to examine the return transmission mechanism among the Ocean Health Index (OHI), green innovation (EI), nonrenewable energy (NONRENEW), and CO2 emissions (CO2). The dynamic total linkage, subject to temporal variation, is contingent on economic events. Our findings emphasize the heightened influence of lagged linkage prevailing over contemporaneous linkage for all four variables. As observed before 2019, ocean health was acknowledged for its prominent role as a net receiver. Subsequently, ocean health was recognized as a net receiver in contemporaneous dynamics, while its significant impact as a net transmitter in lagged linkage persisted. The results have important policy implications for governments in promoting the use of green innovation to enhance blue health performance in Vietnam.

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Ensuring nutrition and food safety within planetary boundaries: the role of microalgae-based ingredients in sustainable food chain

Published 18 July 2024 Science Closed
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Although it is unanimous among scientists and researchers that the food production chain is a substantial contributor to environmental challenges, so far, no food ingredient has been evaluated for its environmental performance relative to planetary boundaries. Given this, this study conducts an analysis oriented to food key ingredients considered essential in human nutrition, namely: proteins, β-carotene as a precursor of vitamin A, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids), using life cycle assessment (LCA) linked to the planetary boundary structure, under nine indices: climate change, biosphere integrity, global biogeochemical fluxes, stratospheric ozone depletion, ocean acidification, global freshwater use, land use change, chemical pollution, and atmospheric aerosol loading. Protein sources from animals such as beef, pork, and poultry, β-carotene from palm oil and synthetic routes, and fatty acids from fish oil were also compared to alternative sources from microalgae-based ingredients. The results show that protein ingredients of animal origin and alternatives have largely contributed to the disruption of planetary boundaries. However, the worst environmental performance for protein ingredients studied was attributed to bovine protein, matching three risk indices (climate change, ecotoxicity, and photochemical ozone formation) out of the nine evaluated. On the other hand, among fine chemical food ingredients, only vitamin A from palm oil, which is mostly found in a risk and uncertainty zone, when compared to conventional synthetic processes and microalgae-based; these, in turn, operate fully within safe limits. In contrast, only one planetary index is assigned to the uncertainty zone for polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil, the others operate in safe zones equally for microalgae-based processes. Therefore, the conclusions highlight major challenges the food production chain faces to achieve safe and sustainable food. These results guide critical food groups and environmental indicators to prioritize in future efforts to reduce environmental impact.

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Climate projections of oceanographic variables in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Ecuador: a 21st century perspective to inform impact and adaptation assessment

Published 17 July 2024 Science Closed
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Highlights

  • A statistically robust increase in SST is expected in the EEEZ for the 21st Century.
  • A statistically robust reduction in pH is expected in the EEEZ for the 21st Century.
  • DO climate projections are not robust in the EEEZ for the 21st Century.
  • Flood events historically occurring once every 100 years would occur annually by the end-of-century.
  • Possible coastal impacts within the biodiverse equatorial upwelling system are discussed.

Abstract

Climate projections of ocean variables are essential to inform adaptation strategies and plans involving open and coastal oceanic regions. Assessment of baseline and projections of sea surface temperature (SST), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), mean sea level (MSL), waves coastal flooding within Ecuador’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including Galapagos Islands are reported herein. With different magnitudes of change, both near-future (2021–2050) and far-future projections (2051–2080) show a statistically robust increase in SST, MSL rise and a reduction in pH, a proxy for acidification. In contrast, DO decrease is only observed in surface (0–100 m) but not in subsurface waters (100–400 m). The likelihood of extreme sea level events in the coastal cities of La Libertad, Manta and Esmeraldas would remain almost unchanged for near-future projections (2026–2045) whereas, for end-of-century projections (2081–2100), historical 1 in a 100-year extreme flooding events would become yearly occurrences. The generated data product offers a state-of-the-art research and management tool for the 21st century under the combined stressors of global climate change. Since the eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean is one of the most productive and biodiverse worldwide due to the equatorial upwelling system, possible impacts on marine biodiversity, social, and economic systems are discussed.

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Marine biology under climate change: challenges, adaptations, and future directions 

Published 20 May 2024 Science Closed
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In facing the challenges of global climate change, the changes in marine ecosystems have attracted widespread international attention. The ocean is not only a treasure trove of biodiversity but also a key factor in regulating the Earth’s climate. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of climate change on the marine environment and its biodiversity, including the long-term effects of rising sea temperatures, acidification, and sea level rise on marine life and ecosystem services. Through an in-depth exploration of the adaptive changes in marine organisms, this study reveals the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to climate change and their adaptation mechanisms, highlighting the importance of marine biology research in understanding and responding to climate change. This research looks forward to future directions and technological developments in marine biology, focusing on the scientific challenges faced and strategies for transitioning to sustainable development, with the aim of promoting the health of marine ecosystems, the conservation of biodiversity, and the development of human society.

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Climate impacts and adaptation strategies for coastal erosion, aquaculture, and tourism along the Adriatic side of Apulia region

Published 15 May 2024 Science Closed
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This study addresses the imperative need for adaptation strategies to climate impacts in coastal areas, particularly vulnerable to climate change effects. Under the Interreg project “AdriaClim,” our research aims to provide a comprehensive account of predicted climate impacts and corresponding adaptation measures for three key sectors for the coastal economy of the Puglia region (Southern Italy): coastal erosion, aquaculture, and tourism. Analyzing regional climate projections, predicted climatic anomalies for Apulia have been delineated. Together with a comprehensive description of the investigated sectors, the expected sectoral climate impacts have been identified. The respective adaptation measures for each sector have been evaluated in terms of coherence with the studied context and effectiveness, among those proposed in the literature. In aquaculture, climate change may influence ecosystem structure, functionality, production cycles, infrastructure, and organism physiology. Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) emerges as a solution to enhance the resilience of Apulian aquatic production systems to climate change. For coastal tourism, the vulnerability to various climate impacts is emphasized. These impacts can directly influence tourist flows or indirectly alter the attractiveness of the Apulian Adriatic coast. Given the sector’s strong ties to anthropic, natural, and cultural elements, a comprehensive adaptive approach proves most effective. Concerning coastal erosion, results underscore the prevalence of numerous stretches of eroding low coastline, with future projections indicating scenarios of widespread retreat along the southern Adriatic coast. Consequently, protective, and coastal management measures become imperative. The analyses and the obtained results serves as a valuable knowledge framework essential for formulating a climate change adaptation plan for the Apulian Adriatic coast, aligning with the regional authorities’ orientations.

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