Ocean Acidification Research Center

Ocean acidification (OA) is the result of anthropogenic increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide that is later absorbed by the ocean. This change in ocean chemistry makes the global oceans more acidic. Concerns over increasing acidity in Alaska and how this phenomenon will impact Alaska’s Blue Economy spurred the creation of the Ocean Acidification Research Center (OARC) within the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).

Placement of this center in Alaska is critical to the state’s long-term interests because the region will experience the effects of ocean acidification faster and to a greater degree than in lower latitudes due to colder water temperatures, ocean circulation patterns, and highly productive continental shelves. These characteristics act to enhance the transport of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere into the ocean, which may accelerate acidification.

OARC Objectives

1. Conduct research into OA, particularly in Alaskan waters, to determine the intensity, duration, and extent of OA around the state. We achieve this by long-term autonomous monitoring and modeling efforts, conducting field observations in highly sensitive areas, and quantifying physiological responses of vulnerable and commercially viable species.
2. Serve the public and private sectors by providing access to OARC-generated data, training students and citizen scientists, and accepting seawater samples to be run at cost.

Thank you for your support!

We are very thankful to our funders for their support, including the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Coastal Marine Institute (CMI), Cooperative Institute for Alaska Research (CIFAR), National Atmospheric and Space Administration (NASA), National Park Service (NPS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Science Foundation (NSF), North Pacific Research Board (NPRB), Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center (PCCRC), and the State of Alaska.

Links

Here are a few helpful links to learn more information about OA research in Alaska and around the globe.

• Alaska Ocean Acidification Network
• Ocean Change Science: Kelley Lab at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Encountering Environmental Hazards on Alaska's Coasts: Ocean Acidification
• Ocean Acidification: The Other Carbon Dioxide Problem

For more information, please email oarc@cfos.uaf.edu or tweet us at @OARC_Alaska.

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