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NOAA and NSF Commission National Study of Ocean Acidification
NOAA and NSF Commission National Study
of Ocean Acidification
Nov 14,2008.
 Minnows,
the common name for a variety of very small silvery fish, can
often be seen schooling around a reef.
The first comprehensive national study of how carbon dioxide
emissions absorbed into the oceans may be altering fisheries,
marine mammals, coral reefs, and other natural resources has
been commissioned by NOAA and the National Science Foundation.
“Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through the
burning of fossil fuels is not only contributing to atmospheric
climate change,” said Dr. Steven A. Murawski, director
of scientific programs and chief science advisor for NOAA’s
Fisheries Service. “These emissions are being absorbed
into the oceans with potentially catastrophic effects on life
in our oceans. Some of the most vulnerable species – clams,
crabs, lobsters, mussels, shrimp, and scallops -are also some
of the most important economically to the United States, representing
half of the $4 billion annual value of all fish harvested in
U.S. waters.”
The need for this national study, to be conducted by the National
Academy of Sciences, was outlined by Congress in the reauthorization
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act in 2007.
Since the beginning of the industrial era, the oceans have absorbed
about a third of all manmade carbon dioxide emissions released
into the air. The ability of the oceans to absorb carbon dioxide
emissions has reduced some of the harmful effects of heat-trapping
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and on land. But scientists
are finding that the continued, increased absorption of these
gases is altering the biology and chemistry of oceans in fundamental
ways.
Absorption of large amounts of carbon dioxide alters the chemistry
of the oceans by reducing the pH of seawater. With increasing
carbon dioxide in seawater, shellfish and corals cannot absorb
enough calcium carbonate to build strong skeletons and shells.
The greater acidity slows the growth and even dissolves ocean
plant and animal shells. The decline of these valuable species
would drastically harm U.S. fisheries.
Any decline of these species would also have profound effects
on entire ecosystems where shellfish and crustaceans provide
food for many other species and coral provides habitat for fish.
The effects of ocean acidification will potentially extend to
coral reefs, marine plankton, other animals and plants.
The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences
is putting together a panel of 10 to 12 scientists to undertake
the 18-month study. The committee will be made up of scientists
with expertise in chemical oceanography, paleooceanography,
biological oceanography, physiology, marine ecology, resource
economics, geochemistry, resource management, and ocean-climate
modeling.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment,
from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and
conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.
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