Many ocean acidification (OA) studies on marine organisms have tended to focus on the direct impacts to calcifying organisms, like oysters, snails, corals, and even some types of plankton. Calcifiers are vulnerable to OA, primarily because their calcium carbonate shells, and their ability to grow those shells, are negatively affected by increased ocean acidity. But for other organisms that are not as dependent on calcium carbonate, like crustaceans, the direct impacts of ocean acidification are often less clear. Some may have minimal to no response to ocean acidification, while others may even have positive responses to OA. However, there are other indirect ways in which some organisms may still be vulnerable to OA. For example, what happens when the organism that makes up your habitat is negatively impacted by OA? We recently spoke with Em Lim, lead-author of a new study that seeks to address both direct and indirect impacts of OA on an important, but lesser-known group of crustaceans called caprellids (skeleton shrimp). Em Lim is a Master’s student at Simon Fraser University and a scientific diver at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. They recently won Regionals for western Canada in this year’s 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition, where they presented on their current M.Sc. research examining the effects of animal pee on primary productivity across latitudinal gradients. Before embarking on an M.Sc., Em was a Marine Science Educator at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre for two years, including during the start of COVID when they had to assist with the development and transition of school field tours into live labs and webinars. No small feat considering the thousands of school groups of children and teenagers that normally visit the centre in person each year. Em grew up in Vancouver often exploring the coast with their parents, who were avid tidepoolers. “I was one of those kids in Kindergarten that said ‘I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up’ and I never really changed my mind,” Em admits. Em stayed true to their dream and pursued an undergraduate degree in Biology. As an undergrad at UBC, one of Em’s first research opportunities came when Dr. Chris Harley said he was looking for someone to help one of his Ph.D. students work on a project examining fouling communities along the coast. “Fouling communities are made up of these little organisms that live on and cover the bottom surfaces [of the ocean],” Em explains. “They’re the things most people scrape off their boats!” Em jumped at the opportunity to assist with the project, which was mostly identifying and counting all the organisms that were found on settlement plates (tiles placed out in seawater for a period of time to identify which organisms are settling in the area). On lunchbreaks at the Reed Point marina, Em enjoyed watching the seals and sea lions, and decided to complete a fall program at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, focusing on marine invertebrate ecology. “I think marine ecology is so cool. You get to see how it’s all connected, all these interactions you never would have imagined,” Em says. “There’s also a drive to help these communities that you grow to love, tinkering to see how [these communities] work and how each part is connected.” Em then received an NSERC USRA (Undergraduate Student Research Award) with Dr. Harley, to develop their own project on caprellid amphipods, one of the many species found in the fouling communities they had come to know. “Caprellids are these tiny, fascinating crustaceans, sometimes called skeleton shrimp,” Em explains. “They kind of look like a preying mantis, or like someone took a shrimp and stretched it out.” Caprellids are small, usually no longer than the tip of your thumb, and often much smaller, Em says. Like many other crustaceans, ocean acidification was not expected to have strong direct impacts on caprellids (as they are not as dependent on carbonates to build their skeletons), but Em wanted to know if there were other ways in which caprellids might become negatively impacted by OA. Building off the work of Dr. Jennifer Sunday, a former postdoc in Dr. Harley’s lab, Em wanted to explore the potential for larger scale impacts of OA, such as changes to biogenic habitats. For example, reductions in the complexity and branching of coral reefs due to ocean acidification has negative impacts on the organisms that rely on those corals for habitat. In the case of caprellids, they live in bushy, branching colonies of a hydroid called Obelia. These hydroids, animals related to jellies and sea anemones, respond negatively to OA. Under OA conditions, fouling communities become dominated by encrusting invertebrates, such as bryozoans, resulting in an overall reduction in habitat complexity. Em wanted to know: If Obelia (caprellid habitat) are negatively impacted by OA, will caprellids be impacted, even if OA has no direct impacts on caprellids? “Our main question was: Are there avenues where OA-resilient organisms may still be impacted by OA?” “Convention says that many crustaceans, including caprellids, are likely unaffected by OA, but we suspected there was this greater potential for indirect impacts,” Em explains. “We know that there are likely both direct and indirect effects of ocean acidification [on marine organisms], but often studies are not looking at both aspects in the same study or on the same species.” The goal of the paper was to test both direct and indirect effects of OA in the same study. “Our main question was: Are there avenues where OA-resilient organisms may still be impacted by OA?” The study was conducted in two parts. First, Em examined direct effects of OA by exposing caprellids to acidified treatments, and determining their response. Second, Em tested for indirect effects by examining habitat complexity by counting the number of caprellids in several different types of habitats. Testing for direct impacts seemed straightforward enough: place the caprellids in one of three treatments of increasing acidity for 72 hours (pH = 8.3, 7.9, 7.5), then measure their heartrate, a commonly used proxy for metabolism and stress level. But Em says they ran into several challenges that made collecting the data rather tricky. For one, caprellids are tiny, and Em could only see their hearts beating through a microscope. Small hearts also beat really quickly, so Em had to find a way to record the heart beats and slow the film down to be able to count them properly. “I had to build a homemade microscope camera out of a toilet paper tube with an old phone case attached to it. I’d film the caprellids, then slow down the video so I could count and calculate BPM (beats per minute),” Em explains. “One of the reviewers suggested I put a picture of my set-up in the paper, so you can see a figure of it in the paper.” Another challenge was that the caprellids didn’t want to sit still, which made counting their heart beats even harder. “I’d be almost finished and then they’d move out of scope, so I’d have to start all over again,” Em says, chuckling. Em also tried to be conscious of sex biases that are often seen in biological studies, but this also proved to be challenging. “Many studies only look at the males because researchers don’t want to deal with or disturb fecund females [that are reproductive or carrying offspring],” Em points out. Em explains that they had originally conducted experiments on both females and males, but it was too challenging to measure the heartrates of the females. Only data for the males ended up being included in the final paper. “The females have brood pouches, which makes them have big round bellies, and I couldn’t get them to lay flat enough. They would just roll around,” Em says. To examine indirect effects, Em first had to test for habitat preferences of caprellids to see if they would prefer the OA-vulnerable hydroids (Obelia) over other habitat types. Em put out settlement plates and then counted the caprellids on the different habitat types, consisting of either mussels, tunicates, or hydroids, after 10 weeks. Then, Em examined the role of habitat complexity on caprellid abundance. Em manipulated hydroid colony complexity by taking clumps of between one and four colonies, picking off all the caprellids, and then hung them from bricks off a dock. After eight weeks, Em counted all the caprellids on each hydroid clump, and then laid out each clump to trace the branchiness as a means of quantifying habitat complexity when comparing it to caprellid abundance. One of Em’s favourite moments of the study was when a family happened upon Em while they were working on their project at the marina. “I was covered in grime and laying on the dock, which must have looked interesting,” Em admits. The father asked Em what they were doing, so Em took the opportunity to engage the whole family in their research project. “It’s my favourite part of doing science in public spaces,” Em says. “It’s a great way to do outreach.” Em found that, contrary to what they had expected, caprellids experienced direct negative impacts from OA. “I was a bit surprised, but OA increased caprellid heartrates, so maybe they were stressed, or their bodies were working harder due to OA,” Em explains. In terms of habitat, as Em expected, caprellids preferred hydroids over mussels or tunicates (sea squirts). “Caprellid appendages look kind of like a hand, which they use to grab onto things,” Em says. “Sea squirts are smooth and squishy, and hard for caprellids to grab.” Hydroids, on the other hand, are branchy, providing an easy structure on which caprellids can cling. Caprellids are detritivores, and the bushy, branching structures of hydroid colonies also provide a means of capturing and collecting more food than other habitat types. So what happens when hydroid colonies become reduced in size and complexity as a consequence of ocean acidification? In the final part of their experiment, Em found that there was a strong relationship between the complexity or bushiness of hydroid colonies and the number of caprellids found amongst them. “Basically, more hydroids meant more caprellids,” Em says. With an expected reduction in hydroids due to continued ocean acidification, caprellids will have less habitat, and corresponding food sources, available to them. Essentially, not only will OA negatively impact caprellids in terms of their physiology (heartrates), but OA may also reduce their abundances as less habitat becomes available. And it won’t just be caprellids that are impacted by a loss of hydroid habitat. Many other organisms live in hydroid colonies too. Em points out that the results of this research highlight the need to examine both direct and indirect impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms. “If we had only included one of these aspects [direct or indirect impacts of OA], we would have underestimated the effects of OA on caprellids." “If we had only included one of these aspects [direct or indirect impacts of OA], we would have underestimated the effects of OA on caprellids,” Em says. Of course, it is hard to include everything in one study always, Em acknowledges, but these results highlight the need to be cautious when estimating impacts of OA on organisms, and to be mindful of indirect effects. Em says that one other take-home of their research is the “exceptional” complexity and interconnectedness of marine communities. “There are so many amazing, breathtaking interactions that happen on a day-to-day basis that shape these communities. It is really astonishing.” Em continues to explore the complexity of marine ecosystems through their M.Sc. research at SFU. As a non-binary graduate student in marine ecology, Em says that it is important to think about some of the opportunities that not everyone has had to study marine biology, especially when it comes to Indigenous and Black people. To provide more opportunities for students with historically excluded identities, Em has helped the SFU Biology Grad Student EDI Committee launch a fundraiser to endow an Indigenous and Black Graduate Scholarship in Biology. Em hopes such efforts will provide a means of increasing inclusion and diversity within scientific fields such as marine biology. Read Lim and Harley, 2018 here. Lim EG, Harley CDG. 2018. Caprellid amphipods (Caprella spp.) are vulnerable to both physiological and habitat-mediated effects of ocean acidification. PeerJ, 6:e5327 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5327 To learn more about Em and their research, visit em-lim.weebly.com, and follow them on Twitter @sea_en_emily. Watch Em’s SFU and Regional winning 3MT presentation on their M.Sc. research on animal pee here. To learn more about the Indigenous and Black Graduate Scholarship in Biology at SFU, visit https://give.sfu.ca/ways-to-give/fund/indigenous-black-graduate-scholarship-biology.

Here are some of the latest happenings in the world of ocean acidification in Canada and beyond! DEADLINE TOMORROW (July 30th) - We’re Hiring! Ocean Acidification Community of Practice Coordinator MEOPAR is searching for a dedicated and self-motivated individual to facilitate and co-ordinate activities for the Canadian Ocean Acidification Community of Practice. The aims of the Community are to facilitate the uptake and exchange of information and data related to ocean acidification, collate and promote best practices, use online platforms to facilitate knowledge mobilization, and disseminate activities through webinars and workshops. Find out more here. Upcoming Webinar Ocean Acidification in the Gulf of Maine: Issue and Solutions Date: Friday, July 30 Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm Location: No physical location, online via Zoom Admission: Free to the public, registration IS required Join us for a one-hour panel discussion on ocean and coastal acidification’s impact on scallops and softshell clams, methods of remediation, and future projections for the Gulf of Maine. This online talk will be moderated by Dr. Libby Jewett, Director of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. Panelists include, Dr. Samantha Siedlecki, University of Connecticut; Dr. Nichole Price, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences; and Dr. Robert J Holmberg, Downeast Institute. REGISTER HERE Save the Date – OA Week (September 13 – 17, 2021) Cross posted from the OA Info Exchange: “Ocean Acidification Week will be back in 2021! Last September, GOA-ON launched OA Week as a response to the postponement of conferences and events due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We received such positive responses that GOA-ON, in partnership with NOAA OAP, IAEA OA-ICC, and IOC-UNESCO, is bringing OA Week back this year. We will bring you even more information and sessions from the regional hubs, more presentations by plenary speakers, and more conversations about global ocean acidification research. Please visit the new OA Week 2021 webpage for more details on the event. This webpage will be updated regularly as we continue planning the meeting. We also need your help: please suggest topics for the Community Discussion Sessions. Think of Community Discussion Sessions as short workshops, listening sessions, interactive presentations, or other platforms for promoting conversations about issues that are relevant to the OA community. Even if you cannot commit to leading a session, we'd still like your thoughts on what topics you'd like to see covered during OA Week 2021. Share your suggestions by commenting on the post on the OA Info Exchange. Finally, please share this news with your professional networks, and most importantly, don't forget to save the dates: Monday 13 September - Friday 17 September, 2021! If you have other questions about OA Week 2021, please contact us at secretariat@goa-on.org.” Video Highlight The Tipping Point Project: Studying the effects of ocean acidification on pink salmon in Alaska Source: AOOSonline (YouTube) Watch the video here. New Educational Resource FAQ: Ocean Acidification Source: Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego) Read the full article here. New Paper of Interest Schirrmacher, P., Roggatz, C.C., Benoit, D.M. et al. 2021. Ocean Acidification Amplifies the Olfactory Response to 2-Phenylethylamine: Altered Cue Reception as a Mechanistic Pathway? Journal of Chemical Ecology¸ 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-021-01276-9 Have a news item you'd like us to feature? Email coordinator@oceanacidification.ca!

Here are some of the latest happenings in the world of ocean acidification in Canada and beyond! New on the Blog Scientist Spotlight: Benjamin Richaud, Ph.D. Candidate, Dalhousie University Benjamin Richaud is a Ph.D. candidate at Dalhousie University studying the variability of biogeochemistry in the Arctic Ocean using a numerical modelling approach. His research examines the impacts of biogeochemistry and sea-ice on carbon dioxide exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere. Benjamin shares with us his background and interests in marine carbonate chemistry, chemical oceanography, and perspectives on Canada’s role in marine carbon research. Read the full post here. DEADLINE EXTENDED to July 30th - We’re Hiring! Ocean Acidification Community of Practice Coordinator MEOPAR is searching for a dedicated and self-motivated individual to facilitate and co-ordinate activities for the Canadian Ocean Acidification Community of Practice. The aims of the Community are to facilitate the uptake and exchange of information and data related to ocean acidification, collate and promote best practices, use online platforms to facilitate knowledge mobilization, and disseminate activities through webinars and workshops. Find out more here. Upcoming Webinar Ocean Acidification in the Gulf of Maine: Issue and Solutions Date: Friday, July 30 Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm Location: No physical location, online via Zoom Admission: Free to the public, registration IS required Join us for a one-hour panel discussion on ocean and coastal acidification’s impact on scallops and softshell clams, methods of remediation, and future projections for the Gulf of Maine. This online talk will be moderated by Dr. Libby Jewett, Director of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. Panelists include, Dr. Samantha Siedlecki, University of Connecticut; Dr. Nichole Price, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences; and Dr. Robert J Holmberg, Downeast Institute. REGISTER HERE Save the Date – OA Week (September 13 – 17, 2021) Cross posted from the OA Info Exchange: “Ocean Acidification Week will be back in 2021! Last September, GOA-ON launched OA Week as a response to the postponement of conferences and events due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We received such positive responses that GOA-ON, in partnership with NOAA OAP, IAEA OA-ICC, and IOC-UNESCO, is bringing OA Week back this year. We will bring you even more information and sessions from the regional hubs, more presentations by plenary speakers, and more conversations about global ocean acidification research. Please visit the new OA Week 2021 webpage for more details on the event. This webpage will be updated regularly as we continue planning the meeting. We also need your help: please suggest topics for the Community Discussion Sessions. Think of Community Discussion Sessions as short workshops, listening sessions, interactive presentations, or other platforms for promoting conversations about issues that are relevant to the OA community. Even if you cannot commit to leading a session, we'd still like your thoughts on what topics you'd like to see covered during OA Week 2021. Share your suggestions by commenting on the post on the OA Info Exchange. Finally, please share this news with your professional networks, and most importantly, don't forget to save the dates: Monday 13 September - Friday 17 September, 2021! If you have other questions about OA Week 2021, please contact us at secretariat@goa-on.org.” Call for student volunteer – blue carbon project Dr. Kristina Boerder (Dalhousie University): “Looking for a summer student volunteer to work with me & some awesome folks on a novel project exploring blue carbon in eelgrass beds and coastal wetlands. Can be remote but ideally located in Nova Scotia (fieldwork!). Experience with GIS and imaging software a plus.” Find more info here. In the News “West Coast heat wave burned B.C.’s shellfish sector” Source: National Observer Read the full article here. New Paper of Interest Burt, D.J., Fröb, F., and Ilyina, T. 2021. The Sensitivity of the Marine Carbonate System to Regional Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. Frontiers in Climate, 3:624075. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2021.624075 Have a news item you'd like us to feature? Email coordinator@oceanacidification.ca!

Benjamin Richaud is a Ph.D. candidate at Dalhousie University studying the variability of biogeochemistry in the Arctic Ocean using a numerical modelling approach. His research examines the impacts of biogeochemistry and sea-ice on carbon dioxide exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere. Benjamin shares with us his background and interests in marine carbonate chemistry, chemical oceanography, and perspectives on Canada’s role in marine carbon research. “I have always had an interest in the ocean,” Benjamin says. Benjamin grew up in France, spending holidays in Brittany, the western tip of France that dives into the Atlantic, and Provence, a region in the southeast of France that borders the Mediterranean Sea. Spending time near the sea fostered his interest in marine science and sailing early on, but also made him aware of climate change. Benjamin says as a teenager he started to think about the consequences of climate change for both his generation and future generations. These experiences drove him to pursue his interests in oceanography and he earned an Engineering Diploma from ENSTA Paris (specializing in mechanical and naval engineering, and physical oceanography) and completed, in parallel, an M.Sc. in physical oceanography and renewable energies from Polytechnique Graduate School in France. He also took a gap year before his M.Sc. at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (USA), where he conducted climatology and observation-based research, and then started working at OpenHydro in Ireland doing resource assessments for tidal turbines. Benjamin then applied for a Ph.D. program at Dalhousie University with Drs. Katja Fennel and Eric Oliver. The project he works on examines biogeochemical variability and extreme events in the Arctic using numerical models. Benjamin said he was intrigued at the prospect of using modeling studies which he describes as an “amazing complementary tool to observations” to study carbonate chemistry and the role of sea ice in controlling air-sea carbon dioxide fluxes. “Ice is a full ecosystem on its own,” Benjamin continues. The life inside and surrounding ice adds a layer of complexity that is usually discounted in models, he explains. But the density of bacteria and phytoplankton can be very high, especially in brine channels and directly below sea ice. For example, long strings or chains of diatoms are commonly found attached to the bottom of the ice. “It’s fascinating to think that organisms can thrive in such cold and salty environments,” Benjamin adds. Benjamin’s research seeks to account for the life and chemistry that occurs in and around sea-ice in models of carbon dioxide fluxes between the ocean and the atmosphere (air-sea carbon dioxide fluxes). These models are important to both national and global carbon budgets, and help us predict how and where atmospheric carbon will be taken up by the oceans. His research thus far indicates that this biogeochemistry and sea ice life enhances carbon dioxide uptake, at least on regional and seasonal scales. Some of the tools, equations, and theoretical framework that Benjamin has developed can also be applied to a relatively new field of study on ocean alkalinization. Alkalinization seeks to increase the buffering capacity of seawater and increase its carbon sink without increasing seawater acidity. This is usually done through a geoengineering process, but it is also naturally occurring in polar seas, Benjamin explains. When sea-ice forms, it naturally decreases the ratio of total alkalinity (TA) to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the underlying waters. This reduces the ability of the oceans to store carbon dioxide and could even lead to outgassing of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during winter. Then, in spring, as the sea-ice melts, it releases the TA back into the water, leading to stronger uptakes of carbon dioxide while buffering the co-occurring acidification. “Ocean alkalinization is the same idea,” Benjamin explains. By increasing seawater alkalinity (TA), the oceans can take up more carbon dioxide, but retain their buffering capacity, meaning that acidification (a by-product of added carbon dioxide in seawater) is avoided. The concept of ocean alkalinization has therefore drawn the interest of researchers wanting to explore ways of increasing seawater alkalinity as a possible means of mitigating ocean acidification. The sea-ice systems that Benjamin studies might allow him to better understand these processes on a larger scale, as well as how sea-ice life might impact these cycles. For example, Benjamin points out that despite seasonal effects and variability, there is still increasing sea-ice melt occurring, which will impact carbon sinks, especially in the Arctic. Benjamin says that one of the take-homes of his research is that it demonstrates the strong impact the ocean has on our lives. “People in Canada, even those not close to the oceans, will still be impacted [by changes to the carbon cycle and by climate change].” His work will help us understand carbon sinks in the Arctic, which has a direct impact on Canada’s carbon budget. There are also many social impacts of air-sea carbon dioxide fluxes to consider, Benjamin points out. Everything from our lifestyles, such as how much carbon we can use, to policy and social outcomes, will be impacted by ocean acidification and climate change. Even policy impacts and efforts towards Truth and Reconciliation will become harder, as Indigenous communities are put under even more strain due to the impacts of climate change. And delaying action will only make these social impacts harder to address, he concludes. But while the future might be full of challenges, Benjamin adds that there is a lot to be excited about in Canadian climate change research. He is part of Canada’s Marine Carbon Cohort, a group of students and early career researchers that work together to better assess the role of Canada’s oceans on carbon sinks and sources. Some of his favourite aspects of the group are the opportunities to interact, build skills, work together, and learn from other students, postdocs, and PIs (Principle Investigators). He says they build their knowledge by pushing each other forward. The group is part of a larger community at the forefront of climate change research. Benjamin is excited to be part of this research field right now, as he says there is an expected boom in our knowledge of [carbonate] chemistry. New technologies, such as improved biogeochemical sensors and oceanographic equipment (like the northwest North Atlantic BGC [biogeochemical] Argo array overseen by Dr. Katja Fennel and colleagues), will improve our understanding of biogeochemistry and help constrain models. Alkalinization is based on new technology, and could lead to new solutions and knowledge that could mitigate the effects of ocean acidification and climate change. “It’s really motivating to know that this work is at the forefront of the biggest challenge of the 21st Century,” Benjamin says. To learn more about Benjamin and his research, visit his website. To learn more about the Canadian BGC Argo initiative, visit their website.

Here are some of the latest happenings in the world of ocean acidification in Canada and beyond! DEADLINE EXTENDED to July 30th - We’re Hiring! Ocean Acidification Community of Practice Coordinator MEOPAR is searching for a dedicated and self-motivated individual to facilitate and co-ordinate activities for the Canadian Ocean Acidification Community of Practice. The aims of the Community are to facilitate the uptake and exchange of information and data related to ocean acidification, collate and promote best practices, use online platforms to facilitate knowledge mobilization, and disseminate activities through webinars and workshops. Find out more here. Upcoming Webinar Ocean Acidification in the Gulf of Maine: Issue and Solutions Date: Friday, July 30 Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm Location: No physical location, online via Zoom Admission: Free to the public, registration IS required Join us for a one-hour panel discussion on ocean and coastal acidification’s impact on scallops and softshell clams, methods of remediation, and future projections for the Gulf of Maine. This online talk will be moderated by Dr. Libby Jewett, Director of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. Panelists include, Dr. Samantha Siedlecki, University of Connecticut; Dr. Nichole Price, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences; and Dr. Robert J Holmberg, Downeast Institute. REGISTER HERE Save the Date – OA Week (September 13 – 17, 2021) Cross posted from the OA Info Exchange: “Ocean Acidification Week will be back in 2021! Last September, GOA-ON launched OA Week as a response to the postponement of conferences and events due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We received such positive responses that GOA-ON, in partnership with NOAA OAP, IAEA OA-ICC, and IOC-UNESCO, is bringing OA Week back this year. We will bring you even more information and sessions from the regional hubs, more presentations by plenary speakers, and more conversations about global ocean acidification research. Please visit the new OA Week 2021 webpage for more details on the event. This webpage will be updated regularly as we continue planning the meeting. We also need your help: please suggest topics for the Community Discussion Sessions. Think of Community Discussion Sessions as short workshops, listening sessions, interactive presentations, or other platforms for promoting conversations about issues that are relevant to the OA community. Even if you cannot commit to leading a session, we'd still like your thoughts on what topics you'd like to see covered during OA Week 2021. Share your suggestions by commenting on the post on the OA Info Exchange. Finally, please share this news with your professional networks, and most importantly, don't forget to save the dates: Monday 13 September - Friday 17 September, 2021! If you have other questions about OA Week 2021, please contact us at secretariat@goa-on.org.” Call for student volunteer – Blue Carbon and Eelgrass Dr. Kristina Boerder (Dalhousie University): “Looking for a summer student volunteer to work with me & some awesome folks on a novel project exploring blue carbon in eelgrass beds and coastal wetlands. Can be remote but ideally located in Nova Scotia (fieldwork!). Experience with GIS and imaging software a plus.” Find more info here. In the News “This craft brewery is using carbon capture to reuse CO2 in its brews” Source: CBC News Calgary Read the full article here. New Paper of Interest Tai, Travis C., U. Rashid Sumaila, William W. L. Cheung. 2021. Ocean Acidification Amplifies Multi-Stressor Impacts on Global Marine Invertebrate Fisheries. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8:596644. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.596644 Have a news item you'd like us to feature? Email coordinator@oceanacidification.ca!

Here are some of the latest happenings in the world of ocean acidification in Canada and beyond! New on the Blog Research Recap: New Paper: Carbonate dissolution in response to bottom-water acidification in Gulf of St. Lawrence Lead author, William Nesbitt, gives us an inside perspective on a new paper studying carbonate dissolution and the impacts of acidification in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Read the full post here. We’re Hiring! Ocean Acidification Community of Practice Coordinator MEOPAR is searching for a dedicated and self-motivated individual to facilitate and co-ordinate activities for the Canadian Ocean Acidification Community of Practice. The aims of the Community are to facilitate the uptake and exchange of information and data related to ocean acidification, collate and promote best practices, use online platforms to facilitate knowledge mobilization, and disseminate activities through webinars and workshops. Find out more here. New Video – The Ocean Organ From The University of Plymouth Creative Associates, The Ocean Organ is a collaborative visual art installation designed to teach people about ocean acidification and ocean chemistry (with Kate Crawfurd and Jason Hall-Spencer). To learn more, watch the video here. In the News “Ocean Visions’ Experts to Advise/Evaluate Innovation Tackling Ocean Acidification Pilot project will develop new electrochemical approach to mitigate ocean acidification and enhance ocean-based carbon sequestration” Source: Ocean Visions Read the full article here. New Paper of Interest Cornwall, Christopher E., Steeve Comeau, Niklas A. Kornder, Chris T. Perry, Ruben van Hooidonk, Thomas M. DeCarlo, Morgan S. Pratchett, Kristen D. Anderson, Nicola Browne, Robert Carpenter, Guillermo Diaz-Pulido, Juan P. D’Olivo, Steve S. Doo, Joana Figueiredo, Sofia A. V. Fortunato, Emma Kennedy, Coulson A. Lantz, Malcolm T. McCulloch, Manuel González-Rivero, Verena Schoepf, Scott G. Smithers, and Ryan J. Lowe. 2021. Global declines in coral reef calcium carbonate production under ocean acidification and warming. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118:e2015265118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2015265118 Have a news item you'd like us to feature? Email coordinator@oceanacidification.ca!

The Gulf of St. Lawrence is a large, partially enclosed sea that connects the St. Lawrence Estuary to the North Atlantic Ocean and is home to a significant portion of Canada’s fisheries. Less dense, warmer waters sit near the surface, with denser, cooler bottom-waters intruding from the North Atlantic, leading to a permanently stratified water column. This stratification allows for metabolic carbon dioxide (a by-product of the microbial degradation of organic matter) to accumulate in these bottom-waters, causing them to become progressively more acidic. Consequently, the bottom-waters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have reached pH levels expected for the global surface ocean by the end of the century, providing a natural analogue for studying future effects of ocean acidification. Understanding how ocean and coastal acidification impacts the preservation of carbonate minerals found below these bottom waters provides important clues that not only indicate how organisms with calcium carbonate skeletons may be impacted, but also how the buffering capacity provided these sediments will continue to change over time. William Nesbitt, Scientific Coordinator for the TReX Deep Experiment (CERC.OCEAN Lab at Dalhousie University), and lead-author of a new study examining potential dissolution of carbonate sediments in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, was finishing his undergraduate degree in Geological Sciences at Queen’s University when he had the opportunity to attend an oceanographic field course in Bermuda. It was while snorkeling amongst the unique cup reefs and underwater cities of corals that he became inspired to pursue research in carbonate chemistry and oceanography. William completed an M.Sc. in oceanography at McGill where he examined how oceanographic conditions and acidification in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have influenced carbonate minerals in the underlying sediments. William gives us some perspectives on the results of his research, published in the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences in January. “I am an aqueous geochemist and oceanographer with research interests in carbon cycling and the carbonate-carbonic acid system. I conducted my M.Sc. research under the supervision of Dr. Alfonso Mucci at McGill University where I investigated the effects of bottom water acidification in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the preservation of detrital carbonate minerals in the seafloor sediments,” Mr. Nesbitt says. “The coastal ocean is the most productive marine environment on the planet, making it at particular risk of eutrophication from the increased flux of land-derived nutrients and the resulting increase of organic matter generation.” Eutrophication presents numerous consequences to marine ecosystems, such as the depletion of dissolved oxygen (and the creation of oxygen minimum zones) and acidification driven by the accumulation of metabolic carbon dioxide, which can exacerbate ocean acidification in the coastal ocean. “When [eutrophication] occurs in a stratified water column, such is the case in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the increased load of organic matter can lead to the depletion of dissolved oxygen and the accumulation of metabolic carbon dioxide. The generation of the latter makes coastal environments particularly vulnerable to acidification, as the isolated bottom waters are pre-acidified from when they were previously in contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, adding metabolic carbon dioxide to these bottom waters drives the effects of ocean acidification beyond that of the anthropogenic atmospheric contribution. The preservation of carbonate minerals is greatly impacted by the acidification of seawater as it drives their dissolution.” Mr. Nesbitt says that his research highlights the connections between biological and chemical processes when it comes to ocean acidification and the ocean’s ability to neutralize absorbed anthropogenic carbon dioxide. It is well established that shelled organisms that build their skeletons from calcium carbonate are vulnerable to ocean acidification, but what happens if these materials dissolve more quickly? “Beyond the ecological importance of carbonate minerals as the material many marine invertebrates (bivalves, corals etc.) precipitate to construct their exoskeleton, their dissolution provides a critical short-term buffering method and sink of anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the ocean.” “Beyond the ecological importance of carbonate minerals as the material many marine invertebrates (bivalves, corals etc.) precipitate to construct their exoskeleton, their dissolution provides a critical short-term buffering method and sink of anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the ocean.” In other words, as acidification continues over time, carbonates will experience more dissolution, meaning that there will be less material left to buffer against carbon dioxide driven changes in pH. “The combination of carbonate minerals being biologically important as well as acting as a sort of anti-acid tablet for the ocean is what got me interested in studying the carbonate system in an acidifying ocean,” Mr. Nesbitt says. But, there have been few studies which have documented acidification-driven carbonate dissolution in natural settings, or over longer modern time-series. “Several previous studies had explored carbonate precipitation/dissolution and calculated rates in controlled, lab-based environments but very few had quantified them in a natural setting,” Mr. Nesbitt explains. “The pH of the bottom waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence have decreased by 0.3-0.4 units, which is proportionate to the variation expected for the global surface ocean by the end of the century. This provided us a perfect natural laboratory to investigate the effects of these conditions on the preservation of carbonate minerals.” Mr. Nesbitt says that the main questions they wanted to address were: Can we detect evidence of diagenetic dissolution of carbonate minerals in the Gulf of St. Lawrence sediments? If so, can we quantify the magnitude of dissolution and calculate dissolution rates? Have carbonate dissolution rates changed temporally? To answer these questions, Mr. Nesbitt and his co-author, Dr. Alfonso Mucci, explored samples dating back several years. “We derived evidence of diagenetic dissolution from the analyses of pore water chemistry and solid sediments sampled from three box cores recovered over a 13-year time frame (2003, 2013, 2016) at a specific station (Station 18) to the south of Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Pore-water pH and alkalinity measurements (along with phosphate and silica) were used to calculate saturation states with respect to calcite (one of the main polymorphs of carbonate). Pore-water calcium concentrations were measured to compliment saturation state calculations,” Mr. Nesbitt writes. “This showed that when undersaturation occurred within the pore-waters, a significant increase in calcium was observed, suggesting that active dissolution is occurring.” Other measurements, including manganese and iron concentrations of the pore-waters, also provided information on the depth of oxygen in the column, or box cores, indicating the extent of vertical dissolution. Inorganic carbon content was also measured in each sediment core to quantify, through an integration method, the amount of carbonate that had already dissolved and to calculate dissolution rates. There were three key outcomes of this research: Carbonates within the sediments at the bottom of the Gulf of St. Lawrence are actively dissolving. “Pore-water chemistry provides strong evidence of active calcium carbonate dissolution in the sediments of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,” Mr. Nesbitt explains. Just below the sediment water interface (the top of the seafloor), they observed an increase in calcium concentration in conjunction with decreasing pH and carbonate saturation state, suggesting active dissolution is occurring. The carbonate deficit in solid sediment content within the first few centimeters of the core relative to constant concentrations at depth compellingly supports the pore-water data. Furthermore, the calculated magnitude of carbonate deficit can be paired with sedimentation rates to quantify the rate of dissolution. The rate at which carbonates are dissolving in the sediments of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is increasing over time. “Calculated dissolution rates in each core shows that dissolution has significantly accelerated in the sediments of the Gulf of St. Lawrence between 2003 and 2016,” Mr. Nesbitt indicates. The results of this study are critical to understanding how such an economically and ecologically important Canadian water body, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, will be impacted as ocean acidification progresses. “Often when we hear about the impacts of ocean acidification in the media it is focused on tropical reef environments. Our study provides an example of a Canadian environment that has become progressively more acidic on a decade time scale and quantifies the impacts of this change on a crucial mineral to the marine system.” Mr. Nesbitt says that one of the biggest things he learned from conducting this research was the interconnectedness biological, physical, and chemical properties of the ocean. Changes to one part of the system can have huge impacts elsewhere in the system. “We see the ocean as a vastly large system, but it’s very sensitive,” he points out. He says that his work has made him realise the significant impact humans have had on our oceans, and that our connections and reliance on the ocean means that all of us will be affected by the consequences of these anthropogenic changes. The timeline of the study (13 years) demonstrates the drastic changes he observed have happened in his lifetime. He suggests that this rapid rate of change means that mitigation and adaptation will be important priorities moving forward. Mr. Nesbitt is motivated to continue research in oceanography. He says that the project not only allowed him to pursue his interests in chemical oceanography, but also allowed him to develop a new skillset and geochemical tools that can be applied to other projects. “Following my MSc, I worked as a research assistant in the Department of Biology at McGill on the IDRC-NutriFish project, exploring micronutrient utilization in East African fisheries. Now I am the scientific coordinator for MEOPAR’s Tracer Release Deep Experiment (TReX) where I oversee the coordination of logistics and planning of the deep release experiment.” Mr. Nesbitt plans to start a Ph.D. program next year, where he hopes to continue to conduct research on the oceanic carbon cycle and forecasting the impacts of ocean acidification. Read Nesbitt and Mucci, 2021 here (journal access required): Direct evidence of sediment carbonate dissolution in response to bottom-water acidification in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada Or Request a full text on Research Gate here. Citation: Nesbitt, W. A. and A. Mucci. 2021. Direct evidence of sediment carbonate dissolution in response to bottom-water acidification in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 58:84–92. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2020-0020 Acknowledgments: Thanks to William Nesbitt for his virtual “in-person” interview and written responses. To learn more about William and his research, please visit his Research Gate profile.

Here’s what’s new from the MEOPAR OA Community of Practice this month: June Quarterly Newsletter New Blog Posts We're Hiring! Past Events - World Oceans Week June Quarterly Newsletter We released our June Quarterly Newsletter on June 1st! Take a look to see new resources, webinars, blog posts, and more! Find and download our June Newsletter here. New Blog Posts Here are our latest posts from May and June: Scientist Spotlights: Learn more about the scientists leading the way in new ocean acidification research across Canada and beyond. Scientist Spotlight: Dr. Ana Franco, Postdoctoral Fellow, UBC Scientist Spotlight: Samantha Jones – Blending Science and Poetry Scientist Spotlight: Fiona Beaty, Ph.D. Candidate, UBC OA News (You Could Use): Find out the latest happenings in the world of OA in Canada and beyond, including new resources, papers, and news articles. June 24, 2021 June 17, 2021 June 10, 2021 June 3, 2021 May 27, 2021 May 20, 2021 May 13, 2021 May 6, 2021 We're Hiring! Ocean Acidification Community of Practice Co-ordinator MEOPAR is searching for a dedicated and self-motivated individual to facilitate and co-ordinate activities for the Canadian Ocean Acidification Community of Practice. The aims of the Community are to facilitate the uptake and exchange of information and data related to ocean acidification, collate and promote best practices, use online platforms to facilitate knowledge mobilization, and disseminate activities through webinars and workshops. The co-ordinator would ideally be located at the University of Calgary. Remote work, or a posting at the St. Andrews Biological Station in New Brunswick can also be considered. The selected candidate would work closely with Community members from stakeholder groups, academia, non-profit and governance groups. This is a full-time position, funded by MEOPAR until Oct. 2022. We would very much appreciate it if you could circulate this email amongst your network to help us reach the largest pool of candidates. Please see attached PDF for full job description and posting details. Apply online at: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/7075278-research-associate-department-of-geography-faculty-of-arts World Oceans Week Events The OA Community of Practice participated in two webinars for World Oceans Week on June 8th and 10th, which featured a video of Samantha Jones's Ocean Acidification poems. Find the webinar recordings here: June 8, 2021: IMPLEMENTING UN SDG 14.3—PROTECTING COMMUNITIES AND LIVELIHOODS FROM THE THREAT OF A CHANGING OCEAN (Co-hosted by the OA Alliance and The Ocean Foundation) June 10, 2021: ADVANCING CLIMATE AND OCEAN ACTION THROUGH ART, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH (Co-hosted by the OA Alliance and Peace Boat US) Have an idea for content? Want to contribute? We’re always looking for ideas and feedback! Email us at coordinator@oceanacidification.ca! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

We're Hiring! Ocean Acidification Community of Practice Co-ordinator MEOPAR is searching for a dedicated and self-motivated individual to facilitate and co-ordinate activities for the Canadian Ocean Acidification Community of Practice. The aims of the Community are to facilitate the uptake and exchange of information and data related to ocean acidification, collate and promote best practices, use online platforms to facilitate knowledge mobilization, and disseminate activities through webinars and workshops. The co-ordinator would ideally be located at the University of Calgary. Remote work, or a posting at the St. Andrews Biological Station in New Brunswick can also be considered. The selected candidate would work closely with Community members from stakeholder groups, academia, non-profit and governance groups. This is a full-time position, funded by MEOPAR until Oct. 2022. We would very much appreciate it if you could circulate this email amongst your network to help us reach the largest pool of candidates. Please see attached PDF for full job description and posting details. Apply online at: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/7075278-research-associate-department-of-geography-faculty-of-arts Have an idea for content? Want to contribute? We’re always looking for ideas and feedback! Email us at coordinator@oceanacidification.ca! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Here are some of the latest happenings in the world of ocean acidification in Canada and beyond! New on the Blog Scientist Spotlight: Dr. Ana Franco, Postdoctoral Fellow, UBC Dr. Ana Franco is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia with Professor Phil Tortell in the MEOPAR project OxyNet: A network to examine ocean deoxygenation trends and impacts. She is also an expert in ocean acidification, having worked on the topic since her undergraduate degree. Dr. Franco shares with us her expertise, research, and past experiences that led her to become an expert in ocean acidification and oceanography. Read the full post here. Upcoming Webinar "Sustainability and systemisation in the ocean sector" Tuesday, June 29, 2021 7:00 p.m. Newfoundland Time Accomplished business leader, academic and Memorial alumna Dr. Sue Molloy, M.Eng.’01, PhD’07 – the president of Nova Scotia-based Glas Ocean Electric – is delivering the 2021 Canada Ocean Lecture Series. Initiated in 2006, the Canada Ocean Lecture Series is a joint initiative between the registered charity Shorefast, Memorial University and other partners. The aim of the lecture series is to create awareness of Canada’s vast marine environment and its importance to Canadians. To date, lectures have been held on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in central Canada. Please note, this is a virtual session. All are welcome to attend! TO RSVP, PLEASE VISIT: https://event-wizard.com/canadaoceanlectureseries2021/0/register/ New Resource for Educators From NOAA’s Teaching Climate series, “Ocean Acidification” is an educational resource designed for educators of middle school – college level classrooms. Learn more about this educational resource here. In the News “B.C. scientists look at climate change impacts on aquaculture production” Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin Read the full article here. New Paper of Interest Mongin, Mathieu, Mark E Baird, Andrew Lenton, Craig Neill and John Akl. 2021. Reversing ocean acidification along the Great Barrier Reef using alkalinity injection. Environmental Research Letters, 16:064068. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac002d Have a news item you'd like us to feature? Email coordinator@oceanacidification.ca!

Here are some of the latest happenings in the world of ocean acidification in Canada and beyond! UCalgary ocean acidification poet takes the world stage for Oceans Week University of Calgary’s own, Samantha Jones (Ph.D Candidate, Geography), was interviewed last week for World Oceans Day on CBC Radio Calgary’s The Homestretch to share her poem, “Ocean Acidification”, and her experiences combining science and poetry on the world stage! Listen to the interview here (~8 min). Read our Scientist Spotlight interview with Samantha here. New Resource From the OA Alliance: “The OA Alliance is excited to unveil our updated website, complete with a new resources section including the OA Action Plan toolkit, posters and infographics, publications, webinars, workshops, events and more!!” Visit their new website: oaalliance.org In the News “Petrifying Climate Change” Source: Hakai Magazine Read the full article here. New Paper of Interest Peijnenburg, Katja T. C. A., Arie W. Janssen, Deborah Wall-Palmer, Erica Goetze, Amy E. Maas, Jonathan A. Todd, and Ferdinand Marlétaz. 2020. The origin and diversification of pteropods precede past perturbations in the Earth’s carbon cycle. PNAS, 117:25609-25617. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1920918117 Have a news item you'd like us to feature? Email coordinator@oceanacidification.ca!

Dr. Ana Franco is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia with Professor Phil Tortell in the MEOPAR project OxyNet: A network to examine ocean deoxygenation trends and impacts. She is also an expert in ocean acidification, having worked on the topic since her undergraduate degree. Dr. Franco shares with us her expertise, research, and past experiences that led her to become an expert in ocean acidification and oceanography. What is your background? At the end of my bachelor studies in oceanography, almost by chance, I had the opportunity to participate as an undergrad in an ocean acidification (OA) cruise in the Pacific coast of Canada-US-Mexico. I had never participated in a cruise or had heard about OA before (this was 2007). I’m not even sure that I understood English very well at the time, but there I go to spend 30+ days immersed in ocean acidification science of the highest quality. Intimidating! The science from that cruise was a turning point for OA research (Feely et al., 2008), but the main result, from my own personal perspective, is that I haven’t stopped researching ocean acidification since then. In the years following the cruise I went on to work with inorganic carbon data from the tropical Pacific off Mexico for my bachelor and master’s thesis at the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, in Ensenada, Mexico. During that time, I collected and analysed dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity samples from one of the most intense oxygen minimum and carbon maximum zones. The objective was to establish a baseline for future ocean acidification research and sea-air carbon fluxes in this particularly undersampled region. During my PhD I changed tools and went on to tackle ocean acidification with numerical model simulations at the Environmental Physics group at ETHZ, Switzerland. During that time, I studied the mechanisms driving ocean acidification on the long term and interannual time scales on another prominent oxygen minimum region: the Humboldt Current System, off Peru and Chile. No fieldwork here, but the experience gained from those days at sea and in the lab did allow me to easily imagine the ocean moving in my computer. What is your interest in OA? I am interested in investigating the marine carbon cycle using observations and numerical models. I am particularly interested in researching anthropogenic stressors such as ocean acidification and deoxygenation, but also in investigating the natural variability of the carbon cycle. Can you tell us about your past or current contributions to OA research? I still feel the ripples of that 2007 OA cruise, where I met who is currently one of my main collaborators, Dr. Debby Ianson. Debby presented me with the opportunity to work with carbon data from the Line P program, to look at long term ocean acidification and the impact on the marine carbon cycle. Together with collaborators from UVic, IOS and UBC, we have put together a work that is currently in review and where we discuss the anthropogenic and climatic contributions to carbon system trends in the Northeast Pacific (Line P region). What do you see as the most pressing OA issue? Ocean acidification does not act in isolation and other stressors need to be considered when investigating the anthropogenic impacts to the ecosystem. Attention is now also focused on understanding the driving mechanisms and implications of compound events (e.g., deoxygenation + ocean acidification) and extreme events (e.g., marine heatwaves). What excites you most about the current or future of OA research in Canada? Canada sustains the Line P carbon time series, one of the longest (~ 30 years) and better spatially resolved (5 time series stations in the northeast Pacific) ocean acidification time series of the world. We can observe ocean acidification with this time series and the processes enhancing or dampening the OA trend at different time scales. The high quality of this time series allows us to differentiate the anthropogenic impact from the natural oscillations with a high level of certainty. This time series is a treasure and a privilege to work with. To learn more about Ana’s research, please visit her LinkedIn profile. References: Feely, Richard A., Christopher L. Sabine, J. Martin Hernandez-Ayon, Debby Ianson, Burke Hales. 2008 Evidence for Upwelling of Corrosive "Acidified" Water onto the Continental Shelf. SCIENCE1 320:1490-1492.