Ocean Acidification Community Sampling

Over 20 communities across Alaska are taking weekly water samples to develop baseline data on ocean acidification. This effort is unique in the U.S. and is primarily coordinated through Tribes. The water samples are used to build an understanding of current local conditions in the nearshore environment, seasonal changes, and potential natural influences. By creating a consistent time series, communities can better understand the current water chemistry in areas that are important for harvesting shellfish and other species they rely on for their subsistence way of life. The data also fills critical gaps in a broader network of ocean acidification monitoring that includes moorings, underwater gliders, ship-based studies, and the ferry Columbia that runs from Bellingham to Skagway in Southeast Alaska.

Community Sampling at Kodiak DockA

Community members learn sampling techniques during a water quality workshop in Kodiak. Photo: KANA

Who is sampling?

Sampling is mostly conducted by the designated Tribal environmental coordinator in each community. These coordinators conduct this environmental monitoring alongside other monitoring programs through funding from EPA IGAP program. In a few communities, science center or agency staff conduct the sampling.

Explore this interactive map to learn more about our community partners and where they are sampling!

Alutiiq Pride sampling

What’s involved in taking a sample?

Collecting a water sample generally takes about 10 minutes. In most communities, samplers dip a 5-gallon bucket into the water to collect ~ 3 gallons of sea water. From the bucket, they fill a clean beer bottle with seawater, record the temperature, add a preserving agent, and cap the bottle. On Kodiak Island, samplers use instruments (YSI and Niskin) to collect surface and subsurface samples. All samplers are trained in the protocols and are sent sampling materials in an action packer from the lab that processes their samples.

Video: Demonstration of OA sampling (Naomi McMullon in Port Graham)
Document: Sampling protocol (developed by Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute)

What happens to the samples?

Water samples can be stored for weeks or months until a critical mass of bottles are ready to ship to a lab for analysis. Three Tribal programs have taken the lead in coordinating and processing sampling in their region: the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute in Seward, the Sitka Tribe of Alaska in Sitka, and the Kodiak Area Native Association in Kodiak. Each of these entities trains community samplers, ships out collection materials, and analyzes the samples using a Burke-o-Lator. A Burke-o-Lator is a system that measures a suite of carbon chemistry parameters critical to ocean acidification: pCO2, TCO2. temperature and salinity. Using these four parameters, the saturation state of aragonite and pH are determined in real-time. Aragonite is a form of calcium carbonate that is critical to shell formation, and the aragonite saturation state provides a unit of measurement for how favorable the water is to shell-building organisms.

A consistent time series spanning multiple years is ideal for interpreting the data and understanding the natural variability. An effort is already underway to analyze and interpret some of the data collected so far. This science poster describes findings from southcentral Alaska.

Statewide collaboration

The Alaska Ocean Acidification Network has established a Tribal Monitoring Working Group to help community samplers and their Tribal coordinating organizations connect and collaborate. The goals are to:

  • Expand tribal capacity for research and monitoring and support Tribes taking the lead in some areas in Alaska which are under sampled by university and agency researchers
  • Create consistency in data collection
  • Partner with researchers to build local capacity.

Is your community interested in sampling? A few things need to be in place before a new community can be added. We can help connect you with the regional program in your area to start the conversation. Contact Darcy Dugan (dugan@aoos.org).

This short video by the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute shows community sampling efforts in Southcentral Alaska.

Communities currently sampling

Scroll from left to right to learn more about the communities that are currently sampling.

Communities by RegionWhen Sampling BeganAnalysis Lab
SOUTHEAST
Craig2019Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Hoonah2017Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Juneau2018Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Ketchikan2017Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Petersburg2018Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Sitka2017Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Skagway2019Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Yakutat2018Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
Wrangell2018Sitka Tribe (SEATOR)
SOUTHCENTRAL
Chenega2020Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Eyak2019Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Nanwalek2017Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Port Graham2019Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Seldovia2017Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
KODIAK
Kodiak-Trident Basin Float Dock2019NOAA Kodiak Lab
Larsen Bay2019NOAA Kodiak Lab
Old Harbor2019NOAA Kodiak Lab
Ouzinkie2019NOAA Kodiak Lab
Port Lions2019NOAA Kodiak Lab
ARCTIC/ALEUTIANS
King Cove2019Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Nome2019Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Kotzebue2019Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute
Utqiagvik2019Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute