[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ admin_label=”PAGE TITLE ROW” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-100%||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”H1 Page Title – Nearshore” module_class=”page-title” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#4d4d4d” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_color_bottom=”#4d4d4d” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”14″ menu_style=”centered” admin_label=”Menu – Regions” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” menu_font=”|||on|||||” menu_font_size=”16px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”8%||||false|false” border_color_bottom=”#000000″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#4d4d4d” _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/aoan.aoos.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/2-APMI-sampling2.jpg” alt=”Bering Sea” title_text=”Bering Sea” admin_label=”Image – Nearshore” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption: Naomi McMullen of Port Graham takes a water sample on the community dock. Photo from CRRC.” module_class=”image-caption” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”13px” text_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Naomi McMullen of Port Graham takes a water sample on the community dock. Photo from CRRC.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – What We Know” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Research on nearshore ocean acidification conditions in Alaska is relatively new, but has expanded significantly in the past few years thanks to Tribal community sampling, shorebased continuous monitoring, and an instrumented state ferry. Current research efforts are focused on documenting baseline conditions by recording how corrosive the waters are right now and learning how their pH levels fluctuate on a seasonal basis. With time, we will be able to identify trends, the role of local influences, and eventually the rate of change due to ocean acidification. Detecting the rate of change takes much longer in the nearshore than in the open ocean because of higher natural variability.<\/p>\n
Why are nearshore conditions so variable?<\/strong> What are we seeing so far?<\/strong> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Box – Community Sampling” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#e6e6e6″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|24px|20px|24px|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Over 20 Tribal communities across Alaska are taking weekly water samples to develop baseline data on ocean acidification in a citizen science effort that is unique in the U.S. 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. Learn more about the Community Sampling Program here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Photo Gallery” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#233f6f” text_font_size=”18px” header_2_font_size=”20px” header_4_line_height=”0em” background_color=”#e6e6e6″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||||false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Click to enlarge” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”20px” background_color=”#e6e6e6″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”||1%||false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n ↓Click to enlarge↓<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”23451,23199,23198,23197″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-2%||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text – Conditions in locations around the state…” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Conditions in locations around the state are starting to come into view with an increase in data collection and analysis. For example, conditions in Kachemak Bay suggest it could be a refuge from ocean acidification while the waters around Juneau appear to be an ocean acidification hotspot. As current monitoring efforts build time series of nearshore data and the community sampling program expands, more gaps will be filled along the coast of Alaska.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-4%||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code – Script to keep all toggles closed on page load” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Nearshore environments are subject to physical (temperature and salinity) and biological (photosynthesis\/respiration) factors that influence the magnitude of chemical changes across daily, weekly and seasonal time scales. In Alaska, unique seasonality, including extended periods of sunlight, proximity to glacial input, and tidal forces can further modify chemical dynamics in the nearshore. Collectively, these factors can lead to significant chemical fluctuations in seawater.<\/p>\n
So far, we know that the nearshore is experiencing corrosive water in some parts of the state during certain times of year. The data indicate a general seasonal trend where the water is more corrosive (lower \u03a9Arag) in fall and winter due to strong storms that mix the water column, and less corrosive (higher \u03a9Arag) during summer months due to the role of photosynthesizing plankton (which take up CO2 and release oxygen during photosynthesis) and glacial and snow melt.<\/p>\nCommunity Sampling<\/h4>\n
Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/h4>\n