# Presentation: 208112

## Ocean Acidification Research 

**at the **
**Alaska Fisheries Science Center**

**Jeffrey Short**

**Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute**

## Ocean Acidification in the North Pacific Ocean

- Vulnerabilities and Challenges

- AFSC Research Agenda

- AFSC Research Capabilities

## Projected Aragonite Surface Saturation, 2100 (IS92a)

- Orr et al. Science 2005

## 2006 Blue king crab pH experiment results

## Ocean  Acidification - Corals

## Ocean Acidification in the North Pacific Ocean

- Vulnerabilities and Challenges

- AFSC Research Agenda

- AFSC Research Capabilities

## AFSC Infrastructure for OA Research

- Kodiak: 2,300 ft2 wet lab with 200 gal/min of 34 psu 	    seawater
- 	   Shellfish culture expertise

## Slide 8

## AFSC Infrastructure for OA Research

- Kodiak: 2,300 ft2 wet lab with 200 gal/min of 34 psu 	    seawater
- 	   Shellfish culture expertise

- TSMRI: 2,100 ft2 wet lab with 1,200 gal/min of 28-31 psu 	      seawater
- 	     Chem Lab with 6 chemists & 5 techs, research 	           	      level salinometer, coulometric titrator, alkalinity 	      titrator, ion chromatograph, UV-vis spectro-		      photometer

## AFSC Infrastructure for OA Research

- Newport: 20,000 ft2 wet lab with 250 gal/min of 32 		        psu seawater
- 	       Fish behavior & dosing design expertise

- Sand Point: Expertise in ecological and economic modelling, 	        and in molecular biomarkers

## Ocean Acidification in the North Pacific Ocean

- Vulnerabilities and Challenges

- AFSC Research Agenda

- AFSC Research Capabilities

## Ocean Acidification at AFSC: Initial Projects

- 1.  Characterize calcium carbonate dependence of                  shellfish and corals

- 2.  Develop static and flow-through dosing methods

- 3.  Determine larval & juvenile king crab sensitivity to CO2-mediated acidification

## Kodiak Laboratory AFSC Ocean Acidification Studies: Past and Present

**2006**: Calcite undersaturation reduces calcium uptake, growth and survival in early life history blue king crabs (*Paralithodes platypus*).
- Measured BKC larval survival, growth, and calcium content at 3 pH treatments (via HCL) from hatch to first juvenile instar (79 days).
**2007**: Building on 2006 BKC experiments with wider pH range (via HCL and NaOH), DIC measurement for carbon availability for shell growth, and morphology.
**2008**: Red king crab (*Paralithodes camtschaticus*) larval survival, growth, calcium content ~ 5 pH treatments **via CO****2**** concentrations**.

## 2008 Red king crab CO2 concentration experiment

- Objectives
- Assess and compare survival
- Measure growth ~ total weight gain
- Measure morphology changes (body length, spine length and area)
- Measure calcium content of larvae
- Measure CHN before and after experiment
- Treatments
- 5 CO2 concentrations to represent pre-industrial revolution (280 ppmv), current (400 ppmv), one decade projection (500 ppmv), two decade projection (750 ppmv), zero reduction projection (1000 ppmv)
- Methods
- Use artificial seawater as a base
- Design experimental CO2 dosing chambers
- Design experimental CO2 delivery system
- Per treatment: 5 replicate 2 L chambers with 26 RKC zoea each; controls
- Microalgae growth experiment to determine impact of algal food on pH and vice versa.

## Future Kodiak Lab OA Studies

- Species
- Include blue king, golden king, Tanner, and snow crab
- Include shrimp
- Response variables
- Include reproductive potential, larval fitness, biochemical indices of condition (CHN, lipid, respiration)
- Experiments
- CO2 interactions with temperature
- Design experimental CO2 delivery system for later life history stages (ie. flow through system)
- In situ process studies
- CO2 and pH monitoring in nearshore Kodiak water near key crab stocks
- Monitor crab life history parameters (ie. growth, settlement, survival, distribution) in relation to CO2 and pH

## Future Kodiak Lab OA Studies

- Predictions based on depth and distribution
- Model likelihood of impact on crab stock distributions in the Eastern Bering Sea in collaboration with oceanographic data collections.
- Apply laboratory finding to spatially and temporally model magnitude of impact on various life history stages of EBS crab.
- Compare mechanisms of CO2 influence on spatial (across shelf and depth) distribution of crab (see following distribution maps).

## 2007 Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio)

- 2007 Snow Crab (*Chionoecetes opilio*)

## 2007 Tanner Crab (Chionoecetes bairdi)

- 2007 Tanner Crab (*Chionoecetes bairdi*)

## 2007 Red King Crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus)

- 2007 Red King Crab (*Paralithodes camtschaticus*)

## Ocean Acidification at AFSC: Longer-Term Projects

- 1.  Link lab & field process studies to ecological and economic models

- 2.  Develop molecular biomarkers for OA impacts

- 3.  Develop coastal seawater monitoring network in Alaska?