Ocean acidification (OA) and the associated alteration to seawater carbonate chemistry is a concern for the marine science community and policy advisers. This theme session provides the opportunity to discuss the latest developments in OA science and its interactions with other marine environmental co-stressors (i.e. warming and de-oxygenation), as well as management initiatives to mitigate OA impacts on associated ecosystem services.
Concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) are increasing at unprecedented rates due to human activities. More than a third of this CO2 is taken up by the ocean, causing changes in the seawater carbonate chemistry, lowering its pH. This process could pose a significant threat to a wide range of marine organisms, potentially affecting commercially exploited species.
Significant efforts have been made recently to i) monitor the status and progress of OA, ii) to understand its impacts on marine ecosystems, and iii) to provide data necessary to optimize modelling for OA. There is further concern over the likely impacts of OA on food security and societal implications. The continuous need to generate sustained OA-observations and research is also recognised by policy advisers. ICES/PICES have been proactive about these concerns, with OA-themed sessions at ICES ASC 2015 and dedicated presentations during ICES/PICES 6th Zooplankton Production Symposium in 2016, and PICES ASC in Yokohama in 2018. Additionally, two OA-themed issues were published in ICES Journal of Marine Science in 2016–2017.
OA continues to be one of the most studied topics in marine science. This theme session, co-convened with PICES, provides an opportunity to take stock of current scientific advances as well as showcasing science and policy interactions across the Northeast Atlantic. Presentations are welcome on topics related to OA including:
- Current understanding of marine carbonate chemistry dynamics, biological, ecological, and socio-economic impacts of OA
- New sensor technologies and developments of potential biological indicators for OA monitoring
- Understanding from OA monitoring programmes and/or time-series interactions
- Developments of OA modelling effort
- Management and potential policy recommendations to mitigate OA effects
