Originally published November 25, 2012, Seattle Times | By Craig Welch, Seattle Times environment reporter — New research by Seattle scientists shows that pteropods — tiny snail-like sea creatures crucial to marine food webs — are being damaged decades earlier than expected by ocean acidification, the souring of seas from
Month: November 2012
Dynamics and distribution of natural and human-caused hypoxia
N. N. Rabalais1, R. J. D´ıaz2, L. A. Levin3, R. E. Turner4, D. Gilbert5, and J. Zhang6 Abstract. Water masses can become undersaturated with oxygen when natural processes alone or in combination with anthropogenic processes produce enough organic carbon that is aerobically decomposed faster than the rate of oxygen reaeration. The dominant natural processes
Modest increase in the C:N ratio of N-limited phytoplankton in the California Current in response to high CO2
Posted on EPOCA: 22 Nov 2012 In a fall 2008 cruise off the coast of California, on-deck incubations with surface seawater were conducted to compare the effect of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) on nitrogen (N)-limited versus N-replete (+ NO3−) phytoplankton. Based on previous laboratory studies, we expected that under N-limitation
Carbonate chemistry in the San Juan Channel: characterization and suggestions for mitigation
Posted on EPOCA: 22 Nov 2012 Recent attention has been given to the potential vulnerability of coastal zones to ocean acidification. Urban estuaries such as the Salish Sea are strongly influenced by human activities and could be particularly vulnerable to the added stress of ocean acidification. At the same time,
Point Reyes oyster farm decision near
Posted on SFGate: 21 Nov 2012 — By Peter Fimrite Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (left) tours Drakes Bay Oyster Co. with its owner, Kevin Lunny. The lease will expire at the end of the month. Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle / SF U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar toured a popular oyster farm