Setting the record straight on ocean acidification

Camille St. Onge, Climate Change Communication Manager

The Washington Policy Center got the facts wrong, as did media outlets that repeated the story. We do not disagree with Gov. Jay Inslee on ocean acidification.

We have reason to be concerned. Washington waters are particularly susceptible to ocean acidification and our shellfish are vulnerable.

The science is complex. It takes many partners with expertise in multiple disciplines to address the issue adequately.

As the state’s water quality lead, Ecology supports continued research and monitoring to help determine effective actions to address ocean acidification in Washington.

The Marine Resources Advisory Council, Washington Ocean Acidification Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Ecology, and many others are addressing this global issue.

Several resources are available to help people better understand the impacts of ocean acidification:

• Ocean Acidification in Washington State
• Ocean Acidification in the Pacific Northwest
• What do we know about Ocean Acidification in PacificNorthwest coastal waters?
• OA related to marine water quality in Washington
• NOAA OceanAcidification Resources
•  Ocean Acidification: The Other Carbon Dioxide Problem

As Director Maia Bellon said in her blog, ocean acidification is real, and we support Gov. Inslee’s efforts to protect Washington waters. We support further investment in research and monitoring to fully understand the sources, causes and impacts in different aquatic environments.

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Ocean acidification, sea level rise topics of workshop in Aberdeen April 8

By Sandy Howard, Environmental Assessment Program

Ocean acidification and sea level rise are the centerpieces of a free public workshop in Aberdeen on April 8.

The day-long workshop will be held at the Rotary Log Cabin Pavilion, 1401 Sargent Blvd. It’s being presented by Global Ocean Health in collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation.

The 9 a.m. to noon session will focus on emerging research assessing potential to remediate carbon pollution and acidification with marine and coastal vegetation, while restoring estuaries and other coastal areas.

Salt marsh plants, sea grasses, kelp, and other natural and cultured vegetation will be discussed and sea level rise considered.

Various scientists presenting

Presenters Jennifer Ruesink, a University of Washington biologist, and Stephanie Smith from the Oregon State University College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, will speak about current research on seagrasses.

Stephen Crooks, climate change program director for Environmental Services Associates, will report on the carbon-burying potential of estuary restoration.

The morning will conclude with aquaculture consultant John Forster looking at the proven benefits and potential earnings from farming the sea while sequestering carbon.

Macroalgae culture

Macroalgae culture can yield food, fuel, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other commercial products.

The 1-4 p.m. session will explore options to prepare for ocean acidification and sea level rise through local planning and policy processes such as Shoreline Management Plans and other forums.

Who should attend

Elected officials, board and commission members, agency officials, and others involved in ocean planning and policy are urged to attend. Members of the Marine Resources Advisory Council, the Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, and coastal Marine Resource Committees will participate.

Estuaries will expand with rising seas

“Rising seas will drive a huge expansion of estuaries,” said Brad Warren, director of Global Ocean Health, an initiative of two nonprofit groups that helps seafood producers and coastal communities adapt to changing ocean chemistry.

“If we learn to plan for it well, sea level rise might be more than just a problem—which it certainly will be—but an opportunity. Higher water will make more room for estuarine ecosystems that can sometimes chemically shelter vulnerable larvae from corrosive waters. It won’t be a smooth transition, but sea level rise may open up new areas for farming shellfish and marketable marine macroalgae. It will increase coastal habitats that support hunting and fishing, and expand the nursery grounds that support most of the world’s seafood supply. Some of these habitats also bury more carbon than a tropical rainforest.”

No registration is required for the workshop.

If you have questions, contact Eric Swenson at eric.swenson@sustainablefish.org 206- 334-7333 or Casey Dennehy at cdennehy@surfrider.org, 360-556-6509.

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Free community forum on ocean acidification in Port Angeles April 15

By Sandy Howard, communication manager, water quality and environmental assessment programs

Ocean acidification, its effects and local solutions will be highlighted at a community forum in Port Angeles featuring speakers from the Washington state Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification.

The public is invited to attend the community forum from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 15 at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 East 7th Street.

Speakers include Eric Swenson, communications and outreach director for the Global Ocean Health Program, who will present “The Science of Ocean Acidification.”

NOAA scientist Nina Bednarsek will speak on “Ocean Acidification’s Effects on Pteropods,” which are an important food source for salmon and other fish.

Brad Warren, director for the Global Ocean Health Program, will present “Recommendations, Partnerships and Actions.”

Betsy Peabody, founder of the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, will describe “Local Impacts, Local Solutions.”

John Forster, Port Angeles aquaculture consultant, will address “Seaweed Farming: A Potential Counter-measure to Acidification and Global Hunger.”

Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty will welcome the panelists and attendees.

The forum is hosted by the Clallam County Marine Resources Committee.

In addition to the Clallam County MRC, the event is sponsored by the Northwest Straits Commission, Puget Sound Partnership, Puget Sound Restoration Fund, National Fisheries Conservation Center and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

To address the threat of increasingly corrosive marine waters, former Washington Gov.Chris Gregoire appointed the 28-member Panel on Ocean Acidification in February 2012. Co-chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Jay Manning, former director of the Washington Department of Ecology, the panel presented its findings and 42 recommendations Nov. 27, 2012. Learn more online.

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Free ocean acidification seminar coming to Bellingham March 28

By Sandy Howard

Some members of Washington state's Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification will be in Bellingham for a free seminar on this important and local topic.

The event will be held at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal on Thursday, March 28, from 6-8 p.m.

Topics to be covered include the science of ocean acidification, regional and local implications to the food web, and recommendations from the recently released Blue Ribbon Panel report on ocean acidification.

• Betsy Peabody, the founder of the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, will address “Local Impacts, Local Solutions.” Peabody was a member of the Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification.
  
  
• Brad Warren, also a member of the panel and Director for the Global Ocean Health Program of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and National Fisheries Conservation Center, will review the panel’s work and present “Recommendations, Partnerships and Actions.”
  
  
• Whatcom County Councilman Carl Weimer will open the event.

The seminar is sponsored by Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee (MRC), the Northwest Straits Commission, the Port of Bellingham, Taylor Shellfish, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, the National Fisheries Conservation Center, the Puget Sound Partnership, the National Fisheries Conservation Center and the Puget Sound Restoration Fund.

To address the threat of increasingly corrosive marine waters, former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire appointed the 28-member Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification in February 2012. It was co-chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Jay Manning, former director of the Washington Department of Ecology. The panel presented its findings and 42 recommendations November 27 in Seattle.

Learn more at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/water/marine/oceanacidification.html.

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Ocean acidification seminar set for Anacortes March 13

By Sandy Howard

Skagit County residents wanting to learn more about ocean acidification are invited to a free seminar from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, in the Seafarers’ Memorial Park Building, 100 Commercial Ave. in Anacortes.

Ocean acidification results from CO2 emissions being absorbed from the atmosphere into seawater, forming carbonic acid. This alters ocean chemistry and endangers sea life. Between 2005 and 2009, up to 80 percent of the oyster larvae in in some Washington hatcheries were killed by acidification before the problem was identified and temporary counter-measures were taken. As the nation’s leading supplier of shellfish and with the seafood industry one of the state’s major employers, Washington has much to lose from the effects of continued high CO2 emissions.

The seminar, hosted by the Skagit County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) features:

• Brady Olson, a Western Washington University marine biologist at Shannon Point Marine Center, speaking on “What is Ocean Acidification?”
  
  
• Bill Dewey, communications and public policy director for Taylor Shellfish Farms, the largest farmed shellfish producer in North America, will address “How Are Shellfish Coping?” Dewey was a member of the Washington state panel on Ocean Acidification.
  
  
• Brad Warren, also a member of the panel and director for the Global Ocean Health Program of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and National Fisheries Conservation Center, will review the panel’s work and present “Recommendations, Partnerships and Actions.”

Tom Wooten, Samish Indian Nation Tribal Chairman and Skagit County MRC member and Director of Natural Resources for the Samish Christine Woodward state, “Those of us who live by the Salish Sea must be especially vigilant as our waters are particularly vulnerable to acidification. We need to educate ourselves and our communities about the problem and then move from knowledge to action. By working together, we can reduce the effects of acidification through such means as controlling all potential pollution sources of our sacred air, water and land.”

To address the threat of increasingly corrosive marine waters, former Gov. Christine Gregoire appointed the 28-member Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification in February 2012. It was co-chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Jay Manning, former director of the Washington Department of Ecology. The panel presented its findings and 42 recommendations November 27 in Seattle. Learn more about ocean acidification in Washington State.

In addition to the Skagit County MRC, the event is sponsored by the Northwest Straits Commission, Puget Sound Partnership, Port of Anacortes, National Fisheries Conservation Center and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

If you have questions, contact Tracy Alker, tracya@co.skagit.wa.us, 360-336-9400.

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Ocean acidification seminar scheduled for Friday Harbor Labs

By Sandy Howard, Acting Ecology Communication Director

San Juan County residents wanting to learn more about ocean acidification are invited to a free seminar at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs on February 27.

Ocean acidification results from carbon dioxide emissions being absorbed from the atmosphere into seawater, forming carbonic acid. This radically alters ocean chemistry and endangers sea life. Between 2005 and 2009, up to 80 percent of the oyster larvae in in some Washington hatcheries were killed by acidification before the problem was identified and temporary counter-measures were taken.

The seminar, hosted by the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC), will feature Shallin Busch, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research ecologist, speaking on “The Science and Food Web Implications of Ocean Acidification.” Busch was a member of the Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification.

Eric Swenson, Communications and Outreach Director for the Global Ocean Health Program of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and National Fisheries Conservation Center, will review the work of the Panel and present “Recommendations, Partnerships and Actions.”

Eric Scigliano, journalist and author of Sweetening the Waters, written to support the work of the Panel, will look at methods to mitigate, remediate or adapt to acidification.

San Juan County MRC Chair John Aschoff said, “For many of us, ocean acidification seems like a brand new problem, but it’s been long in the making, and one that poses an immediate and far-ranging threat to our marine resources. We in the Pacific Northwest were the first to suffer significantly from acidification. The good news is that Washington was the first state in the nation to tackle the problem, and our program will look at several options for action.”

The 28-member Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire in February 2012 and co-chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Jay Manning, former director of the Washington Department of Ecology. The panel presented its findings and 42 recommendations for action November 27 in Seattle. (Learn more at Ecology's Ocean Acidification web page.)

The seminar is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, in the dining room of the Friday Harbor Labs, 620 University Road, Friday Harbor. An optional tour of the Ocean Acidification Environmental Laboratory, led by Dr. Michael O’Donnell, will follow.

In addition to the San Juan County MRC, the event is sponsored by the Northwest Straits Commission, Puget Sound Partnership, National Fisheries Conservation Center, University of Washington and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

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Public seminar on ocean acidification in Everett on Jan. 24

By Sandy Howard, communication manager, water quality and environmental assessment programs

Snohomish County residents wanting to learn more about ocean acidification are invited to a free seminar at the Everett Station January 24.

The event, hosted by the Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee (MRC), will feature presentations by three members of the Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification:

• Terrie Klinger, University of Washington School of Marine & Environmental Affairs ecologist, will present “What is Ocean Acidification?”
  
  
• Shallin Busch, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research ecologist, will present “Food Web Implications of Ocean Acidification.”
  
  
• Brad Warren, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and National Fisheries Conservation Center Director of Global Ocean Health, will present “Recommendations, Partnerships and Actions.”

Snohomish County MRC Chair Tom Hoban said, “We’re pleased to be able to help educate the public about ocean acidification. The breadth of its effects has only been recognized within the last decade and most people have never even heard of it. We must not delay in taking action to protect our marine resources from such an urgent danger.”

Ocean acidification & Washington State

Ocean acidification results from carbon dioxide emissions being absorbed from the atmosphere into seawater, forming carbonic acid, radically altering ocean chemistry, and endangering sea life. Between 2005 and 2009, up to 80 percent of the oyster larvae in Washington were killed before the problem was identified and temporary counter-measures were taken.

The 28-member Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire in February 2012 and was co-chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Jay Manning, former director of the Washington Department of Ecology. The panel presented its findings and 42 recommendations for action November 27 in Seattle.

Join us

The seminar is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 24, in the Weyerhaeuser Room at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Avenue, Everett. In addition to the Snohomish County MRC, the event is sponsored by the Northwest Straits Commission, Puget Sound Partnership, National Fisheries Conservation Center, City of Everett, and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

For more information:
Visit the state’s website on ocean acidification
See the flier about the event

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Let’s Talk Science! Cycle through our Ecology for Scientists web portal

By Brook Beeler, Environmental Educator, Office of Communication and Education

Did you know that Ecology has a web portal for all you hard core science types? It is a one stop shop for links to our monitoring databases, mapping and spatial data, and the most recent scientific reports and articles. Good science provides the foundation for credible decision-making. And we want you to have access.
But before you dive into the latest postings on Microbial Source Tracking, macroinvertebrates in the Wenatchee River, or the latest update to our Eyes Over Puget Sound monitoring, let’s talk science.

You may have heard that our oceans are a large “carbon sink,” meaning they absorb and store carbon. Before checking out our information on the state’s ocean acidification Blue Ribbon Panel, linked from our scientist’s page, learn about the carbon cycle. Understanding the carbon cycle is important because as the oceans soak up higher levels of carbon emissions, the chemistry of the seawater changes — both locally and globally. This carbon absorption alters the ocean’s natural water quality balance.

The Carbon Cycle

Diagram of the carbon cycle. The black numbers indicate how much carbon is stored in various reservoirs, in billions of tons ("GtC" stands for gigatons of carbon and figures are circa 2004). The dark blue numbers indicate how much carbon moves between reservoirs each year. (image source Wikipedia)

The earth is one incredible and dynamic system; and within this system there are processes that function in cycles. Just like a bicycle tire, round and round they go. On a larger scale, there is the rock cycle and water cycle and on the elemental level there is the nitrogen cycle and carbon cycle. All of these cycles are cruising along, interacting with one another to create a beautiful system we call home.

Let’s start with understanding one of these cycles. The carbon cycle allows carbon to be recycled and reused throughout the earth’s many systems and among all of its organisms. The major pathways for carbon are:

• Atmosphere — layer of gases that surround the earth
• Biosphere — living organisms on earth
• Geosphere — the earth itself
• Hydrosphere — the combined amount of water on the earth

Carbon is constantly being exchanged between these pathways through chemical, physical, geological and biological processes. Some pathways exchange carbon more readily than others. When carbon is not rapidly exchanging through these pathways, it is stored in what is known as a carbon reservoir. 

A Deeper Look

Carbon exchange between the atmosphere and the earth’s oceans is particularly interesting because the ocean is the largest reservoir of carbon. You can divide this reservoir into two pools. The ocean contains the largest active pool of exchangeable carbon near its surface, but the deep ocean part of this pool does not rapidly exchange. In regions of oceanic upwelling, carbon is released to the atmosphere. Conversely, regions of downwelling transfer carbon in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to the ocean.

When CO2 enters the ocean it undergoes a series of chemical reactions changing from dissolved carbon dioxide gas into carbonic acid, bicarbonate, then carbonate. As the carbon changes forms, hydrogen ions are released into the ocean. At this point, the different forms of carbon are now exchanging through other pathways in the cycle, including being absorbed into sediment, living organisms or back into the atmosphere, continuing the carbon recycling process.

But what about those hydrogen ions released into the ocean due to carbon cycling? As the concentration of hydrogen ions increases, the water chemistry of our oceans change. One way scientists verify this change in water chemistry is by measuring the pH of ocean water. pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in any solution. The higher the concentration, the more acidic the solution. When an increase in hydrogen ions occurs in the oceans, the pH decreases. This change is known as ocean acidification.

As carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, how will Washington State be affected? Our scientists are part of a panel to answer that question. To learn more about the science and actions in Washington state visit our “Ecology for Scientists” web portal and link to the ocean acidification Blue Ribbon Panel.

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Conversations about Washington's future — helping Washington respond to the growing threat of ocean acidification

By Ted Sturdevant, Ecology Director

In the past several years, Washington's shellfish producers have seen significant increases in oyster larvae deaths. Some species aren't able to build their shells. Others species survive long enough to form shells, but they never reach market size.

What is going on?

A mounting body of evidence suggests that the ocean's chemistry is changing, due to increased carbon dioxide from emissions, polluted land runoff and other sources.

The ocean absorbs about one-third of the carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere. As this happens, a chemical reaction takes place that lowers the pH of the water and makes it more acidic. Acids tend to dissolve calcium compounds. And because of that, ocean acidification interferes with the ability of certain organisms - like Pacific oysters - to build their shells.

Washington's shellfish industry employs thousands of people and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the state economy - so this is an economic as well as an environmental threat.

There is an even larger concern. Some of the ocean's smallest creatures that use some form of calcium for their shells are essential links in the food chain. Directly or indirectly, they supply food for larger species such as salmon, halibut, cod and whales.

While the growing acidity of our oceans is a worldwide problem, Washington is particularly vulnerable due to certain factors. For example, the winds off of our coast tend to displace the surface water and bring deeper, colder, more carbon rich - and therefore more acidic - water up from the depths. Some of our human activities, such as overuse of fertilizer, failing septic systems and polluted runoff from the land, contribute to the problem.

A blue ribbon panel - the first of its kind in the nation - has been formed as part of the Governor's Washington Shellfish Initiative. By October 1, 2012, it will make recommendations to the Governor and to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on what Washington can do to reduce the impacts of ocean acidification on Washington's shellfish industry and other marine resources.

In my latest "Conversations on Washington's Future" message, I share what I and other members of the panel learned about the threat of ocean acidification, and where we will focus our energies over the next six months.

You can follow the progress of the panel at our web site: Ocean Acidification — Science & Actions in Washington State.

See more Conversations on Washington's Future.

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Our Changing Climate: Pine beetles and other news

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program

Here are some links to some recent news articles related to climate change:

• The Seattle Times reports on the continuing advance of the pine beetle and the threats it poses to Northwest trees.
  
  
• The Seattle Times also published this guest column on how ocean acidification threatens marine conservation and resource management.
  
  
• This piece talks about the “biggest jump ever seen” in climate-warming gases.
  
  
• Here are two takes on California’s move to establish a cap-and-trade system to limit emissions – this one from the Los Angeles Times, and this from the New York Times.

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Our Changing Climate: A new blog series

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program

Welcome to the first installment of “Our Changing Climate,” an ongoing series of posts that will focus on climate change in Washington and elsewhere.

I’ll start by pointing you to Ecology’s climate change web portal — you will find a wide range of information here on Ecology and what others in Washington have done and are doing about climate change.

And here’s a link to a good source on climate change issues from all over — the Dot Earth blog by Andrew Revkin of the New York Times.

Now let’s get to some recent news articles...

Ocean acidification

Washington’s lucrative commercial fish and shellfish industry is facing increasing threats from the continuing shift in the acidity of the world’s oceans. This Sightline Daily report looks at the issue. And here is an Ecology fact sheet on the topic in question-and-answer format.

Electric highways

It appears the electric car is here to stay, as demand increases and automakers realize such vehicles can help meet mandates for fuel efficiency and emissions limits. Electric cars need somewhere to charge up while they are on the road, so government agencies and private organizations and companies (like Costco and Best Buy) are stepping up efforts to provide the supply.

Here’s a news release from July about plans for a number of charging stations along Interstate 5 and U.S. 2 in Washington.

Coal trains

The idea of shipping coal from Washington ports to China has stirred a lot of passion. Supporters point to added jobs and economic benefits in the state. Opponents point to a variety of concerns, including increased rail traffic through their communities as the coal is transported via trains.

Another criticism — burning more coal overseas increases the amount of climate-changing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and negates the progress Washington and other states have made in actually reducing such gases.

The Seattle Times and seattlepi.com columnist Joel Connelly offer their takes on the issue. And here's an Associated Press story that notes Hoquiam could be home to another coal-exporting facility, in addition to proposed terminals at Longview and Whatcom County's Cherry Point.

Gassy cows

Yes, you read that correctly. This story out of Idaho explains.

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Polluted waters listings will not fix the problem of declining pH on marine waters

By Sandy Howard, Communication Manager, Water Quality program

You might be hearing about the problem of declining pH in our ocean’s waters, also called “ocean acidification.” The Center for Biological Diversity is bringing this topic up once again today.

What is the cause?

What causes declining pH and why is it a problem?

It’s a fact that our earth’s oceans are becoming more and more acidic as they absorb greenhouse gas emissions produced all over the planet. When our ocean water becomes more acidic — or in other words, it declines in pH — marine animals suffer and lose their ability to build the protective shells they need to thrive. In short, declining pH threatens the health of a very important natural resource — our shellfish — and the health of many other marine organisms. The Department of Ecology’s just-out draft 2010 Marine Water Quality Assessment includes the list of the state’s polluted marine waters. Ecology currently has the draft list ready for the public to review. However, the list does not include marine waters that may be affected by declining pH.

The Center for Biological Diversity thinks Washington should include listings for pH in its polluted marine waters list.

Ecology agrees that declining pH in marine waters is a very real problem.

However we think placing these waters on the state’s polluted waters list is the wrong tool to fix the problem.

What is the remedy?

The true remedy for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide getting into the oceans is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Washington uses its list of polluted waters to develop water cleanup plans — Total Maximum Daily Load studies. The heart of a cleanup plan is that it identifies sources of pollution within our state over which it has authority. The cleanup plan then outlines actions to reduce or eliminate the pollution sources to improve water quality.

While Washington undoubtedly produces its own set of greenhouse gas emissions, ocean acidification is a global problem. Sources of greenhouse gas emissions come from distant locations where our state has no authority.

So listing for ocean pH on our polluted waters list would not lead to effective cleanup strategies and could cause unnecessary requirements for industries in Washington that are not causing the pollution problem.

Furthermore, Ecology’s marine monitoring program has measured pH in marine waters for years. Ocean experts have recently determined that traditional measurements of pH in marine environments are not precise enough because of the complicated chemistry in saltwater. The technology needs to improve so we can get more accurate methods of measuring subtle changes in pH. We are currently working with federal agencies to improve the methods we use to measure pH.

Climate change is real. Ecology is very much involved in finding regional and global solutions to reducing greenhouse gases and we care about solving declining pH in marine waters.

Read more about how Washington is responding to climate change.

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What makes shellfish unhappy? Ocean acidification

Ecology staff carry out ocean monitoring and data collection projects.

By Eli Levitt & Rhonda Hunter

In the 1990s, scientists started to investigate where carbon dioxide pollution from burning fossil fuels was going, since only about half of it was showing up in the atmosphere.

They found that about 50 percent of carbon dioxide is absorbed by the world’s oceans. Absorption of increasing levels of carbon dioxide alters the ocean’s natural state – making the ocean more acidic (this move toward the lower end of the pH scale is called ocean acidification).

Our actions affect critters with shells

Excess carbon dioxide emissions from humans burning fossil fuels such as oil and coal are causing ocean water to grow more acidic. Studies indicate that ocean acidity has increased about 25 percent since the start of the industrial age (more details are in Ecology’s FAQ on ocean acidification).

And it turns out that more acidic sea water will likely have a negative impact on ocean species – especially those that form shells such as corals, oysters, and plankton.

Higher than normal acidity prevents shelled critters from forming their shells, and a shell-less ocean critter is less likely to survive. Plankton floating in ocean water have small shells, and these plankton are the basis of the ocean food chain. Other shelled species such as oysters, mussels, and corals are also at risk from acidification.

Acidification can harm Washington's oysters

The disturbing part is that on Washington’s own coast, scientists are seeing impacts that could be due to ocean acidification. For the last six years, Pacific oysters in Willapa Bay have not reproduced (see the story in The Seattle Times). Although the cause has not been determined, acidic waters may have contributed to the recent declines in oyster survival. As scientists work quickly to learn about the potential impacts, the data they have found so far has been put to use by hatcheries. Oyster hatcheries now monitor pH and actively seek out noncorrosive water to use and the larvae are back this year.

And scientists working on a study in Neah Bay recently confirmed that coastal shellfish such as mussels and barnacles are also showing signs of weakened shells – see a new video on the project. The research and monitoring by scientists is crucial to determining the threat. Developing ways to adapt to changing conditions and sharing information among the various groups involved will be key, too.

The time to take action is now!

Ocean acidification is very concerning to people in coastal communities, scientists, and those working in the shellfish industry in Washington. Of course, more research and monitoring needs to be done. But the evidence is growing: ocean waters are becoming more acidic. The big question that still needs to be answered is: what will be impacted and how quickly?

There are many reasons to work hard to slow climate change and avoid the worst impacts. And now, the health of our planet’s oceans makes the case to accelerate our response to climate change. Ocean acidification is a growing concern in Washington state and a compelling reason to take action.

If you want to track what our state is doing about climate change, sign up with our listserv to receive updates. And get involved at the local level to show your concern. See Ecology’s Ocean Resources webpage for more information.

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