High-frequency Characterization of the Physicochemical Parameters of Cook Inlet, Alaska

Little is known about how ocean acidification (OA), a decline in ocean pH due to the absorption of anthropogenic carbon dioxide by the world's oceans, affects the nearshore environment. Nearshore ecosystems help to protect the coastline and provide important habitats for marine animals. Because these ecosystems are highly dynamic and complex, it has been challenging to accurately monitor ocean chemistry changes in coastal waters, especially along Alaska's vast coastlines. A dearth of baseline ocean pH data makes it difficult to determine the human-caused and natural influences on ocean pH variability. Measuring OA is important for understanding how marine ecosystems will respond to global ocean change. Advances in pH sensor technology have led to increased OA monitoring along the west coast of the United States. Evidence suggests that OA threatens marine species vital to Alaska's fisheries, and addressing this challenge on a local scale is a concern for policymakers and managers in the state. The goal of this project was to deploy oceanographic sensors for high-frequency (hourly) measurement of pH, temperature, conductivity (calculate salinity), and oxygen concentration to improve our understanding of nearshore carbonate chemistry that can inform biological studies investigating aspects of OA tolerance and local adaptation in Alaska.

USD: $120,000

2017-10-01 → 2021-03-31