Across the CCLME, we observed near-shore pH that fell well below current global mean surface ocean pH of 8.1 (Fig. 1). Minimum pH reached as low as 7.43 at the most acidified site, and up to 18% of recorded values fell below 7.8 during the upwelling season (Table S1). These minima are among the lowest reported to date for the surface ocean and match levels not projected for the global surface ocean until atmospheric CO 2 exceeds 850 ppm.
Exposure regimes to OA were also highly dynamic, exhibiting strong diel as well as event- (2 to 10 day), and intra-seasonal- (~15 to 40 day) scale variability. Daily pH ranges of up to 0.8 units were measured, as were rapid rates of change of up to 0.3 pH units per hour. Our findings indicate that coastal organisms in the CCLME face not only some of the lowest, but also some of the most dynamic pH environments currently known for surface marine systems (Fig. 2 ). Because variable pH exposure can affect organism response to OA, low and variable pH can further act as linked stressors.
Future biological impacts experiments should […]
Full article: Persistent spatial structuring of coastal ocean acidification in the California Current System
How About That Water Quality? Ocean Acidification
West Coast Ocean Acidification Rates Among Highest In World
Acidified Ocean Water Widespread Along North American West Coast
An expanded plastic foam coffee cup is at a donut shop in Monterey Park, California.…
Nutrias were first discovered in the marshes of San Joaquin County in 2017. (Photo courtesy…
The Armstrong Ranch property, which occupies both sides of Highway 1, sits atop aquifers that…
Watersheds on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard will be among the areas most affected by underground…
An invasive algae has wrecked huge sections of reef in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Scientists…
Sardine Meadow is a key link in conservation efforts for the Sierra Nevada, north of…