Ocean Acidification

Scott Doney Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Fate of Anthropogenic CO2 Emissions (2000-2010)

LeQuere et al. Nature Geosciences 2009; Global Carbon Project 2011

~10 billion tons carbon per year+

Atmosphere47%

Land27%

Oceans26%

Marine Life Susceptible to Ocean Acidification

-Reduced shell formation -Habitat loss-Less available prey

Negative Impacts of CO2 on Mollusks

Anne Cohen & Dan McCorkle WHOI (2012)

Present (Vineyard Sound)

Future(estuaries)

Eastern Oyster Larvae

10 microns

Collapse of Pacific NW Oyster Hatcheries

U.S. ex-vessel revenue ~$4 Billion/yearNOAA NMFS; Cooley & Doney ERL 2009

Valuable Commercial Shellfish Fisheries

Acidification along U.S. East Coast

De

pth

(m

)

Wang et al. Limnology & Oceanography 2013

Distance From Shore (km)

acidic waters

Other Local Sources of Acidification

Doney et al. PNAS 2007; Doney Science 2010; Kelly et al. Science 2011