Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine
Abstract The Gulf of Maine holds significant ecological and economic value for fisheries and communities in north-eastern North America. However, there is apprehension regarding its vulnerability to the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2. Substantial recent warming and the inflow of low alkalinit...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84537-3 |
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| author | Joseph A. Stewart Branwen Williams Michèle LaVigne Alan D. Wanamaker Aaron L. Strong Brittany Jellison Nina M. Whitney Diana L. Thatcher Laura F. Robinson Jochen Halfar Walter Adey |
| author_facet | Joseph A. Stewart Branwen Williams Michèle LaVigne Alan D. Wanamaker Aaron L. Strong Brittany Jellison Nina M. Whitney Diana L. Thatcher Laura F. Robinson Jochen Halfar Walter Adey |
| author_sort | Joseph A. Stewart |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The Gulf of Maine holds significant ecological and economic value for fisheries and communities in north-eastern North America. However, there is apprehension regarding its vulnerability to the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2. Substantial recent warming and the inflow of low alkalinity waters into the Gulf of Maine have raised concerns about the impact of ocean acidification on resident marine calcifiers (e.g. oysters, clams, mussels). With limited seawater pH records, the natural variability and drivers of pH in this region remain unclear. To address this, we present coastal water pH proxy records using boron isotope (δ11B) measurements in long-lived, annually banded, crustose coralline algae (1920–2018 CE). These records indicate seawater pH was low (~ 7.9) for much of the last century. Contrary to expectation, we also find that pH has increased (+ 0.2 pH units) over the past 40 years, despite concurrent rising atmospheric CO2. This increase is attributed to an increased input of high alkalinity waters derived from the Gulf Stream. This delayed onset of ocean acidification is cause for concern. Once ocean circulation-driven buffering effects reach their limit, seawater pH decline may occur swiftly. This would profoundly harm shellfisheries and the broader Gulf of Maine ecosystem. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d38cef8a093646e585b29eb66c0fb409 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d38cef8a093646e585b29eb66c0fb4092025-01-19T12:23:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111210.1038/s41598-024-84537-3Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of MaineJoseph A. Stewart0Branwen Williams1Michèle LaVigne2Alan D. Wanamaker3Aaron L. Strong4Brittany Jellison5Nina M. Whitney6Diana L. Thatcher7Laura F. Robinson8Jochen Halfar9Walter Adey10School of Earth Sci. University of BristolKravis Department of Integrated Science, Claremont McKenna CollegeDepartment of Earth and Oceanographic Science, Bowdoin CollegeDepartment of Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate, Iowa State UniversityEnvironmental Studies Program, Hamilton CollegeDepartment of Earth and Oceanographic Science, Bowdoin CollegeMarine and Coastal Science, Western Washington UniversityDepartment of Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate, Iowa State UniversitySchool of Earth Sci. University of BristolChemical and Physical Sciences Department, University of Toronto MississaugaDepartment of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural HistoryAbstract The Gulf of Maine holds significant ecological and economic value for fisheries and communities in north-eastern North America. However, there is apprehension regarding its vulnerability to the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2. Substantial recent warming and the inflow of low alkalinity waters into the Gulf of Maine have raised concerns about the impact of ocean acidification on resident marine calcifiers (e.g. oysters, clams, mussels). With limited seawater pH records, the natural variability and drivers of pH in this region remain unclear. To address this, we present coastal water pH proxy records using boron isotope (δ11B) measurements in long-lived, annually banded, crustose coralline algae (1920–2018 CE). These records indicate seawater pH was low (~ 7.9) for much of the last century. Contrary to expectation, we also find that pH has increased (+ 0.2 pH units) over the past 40 years, despite concurrent rising atmospheric CO2. This increase is attributed to an increased input of high alkalinity waters derived from the Gulf Stream. This delayed onset of ocean acidification is cause for concern. Once ocean circulation-driven buffering effects reach their limit, seawater pH decline may occur swiftly. This would profoundly harm shellfisheries and the broader Gulf of Maine ecosystem.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84537-3 |
| spellingShingle | Joseph A. Stewart Branwen Williams Michèle LaVigne Alan D. Wanamaker Aaron L. Strong Brittany Jellison Nina M. Whitney Diana L. Thatcher Laura F. Robinson Jochen Halfar Walter Adey Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine Scientific Reports |
| title | Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine |
| title_full | Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine |
| title_fullStr | Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine |
| title_short | Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine |
| title_sort | delayed onset of ocean acidification in the gulf of maine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84537-3 |
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