| Contributors | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Balch, William M. | Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences | Principal Investigator |
| Fields, David | Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences | Co-Principal Investigator |
| White, Meredith | Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences | Contact |
| Switzer, Megan | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO) | BCO-DMO Data Manager |
Results for fecal pellet sinking rate experiment and calculated density. This experiment was performed at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME. These data are presented in:
White, M. M., L. C. Lubelczyk, J. Waller, D. T. Drapeau, B. C. Bowler, A. Vermont, D. M. Fields, and W. M. Balch (2017), Testing the Tums hypothesis: Dissolution of coccoliths buffers copepod guts., Nature, in prep.
Please see paper for complete description and methods. Data are restricted until publication of manuscript.
| File |
|---|
720671.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 1.52 KB) MD5:88023ef4cd3ce27574b131d324de74c1 Primary data file for dataset ID 720671 |
| Parameter | Description | Units |
| Time | Time after start of feeding | hours |
| pellet_size | Fecal pellet size | um (micrometers) |
| sinking_rate | Fecal pellet sinking rate | meters per day |
| water_viscosity | Dynamic molecular viscosity of the water | kg m^-1 s^-1 |
| water_density | Water density | Kg m^-3 |
| calculated_density | Calculated fecal pellet density from fecal pellet size and sinking rate | kg/m^3 |
| Dataset-specific Instrument Name | Point Grey Flea 3 camera fitted with a 105 Nikon lens separated by a 25mm bellow system |
| Generic Instrument Name | Camera |
| Generic Instrument Description | All types of photographic equipment including stills, video, film and digital systems. |
(Extracted from the NSF award abstract)
Ocean acidification is one of the most pressing marine science issues of our time, with potential biological impacts spanning all marine phyla and potential societal impacts affecting man's relationship to the sea. Rising levels of atmospheric pCO2 are increasing the acidity of the world oceans. It is generally held that average surface ocean pH has already declined by 0.1 pH units relative to the pre-industrial level (Orr et al., 2005), and is projected to decrease 0.3 to 0.46 units by the end of this century, depending on CO2 emission scenarios (Caldeira and Wickett, 2005). The overall goal of this research is to parameterize how changes in pCO2 levels could alter the biological and alkalinity pumps of the world ocean. Specifically, the direct and indirect effects of ocean acidification will be examined within a simple, controlled predator/prey system containing a single prey phytoplankton species (the coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi) and a single predator (the oceanic metazoan grazer, Calanus finmarchicus). The experiments are designed to elucidate both direct effects (i.e. effects of ocean acidification on the individual organisms only) and interactive effects (i.e. effects on the combined predator/prey system). Interactive experiments with phytoplankton prey and zooplankton predator are a critical starting point for predicting the overall impact of ocean acidification in marine ecosystems. To meet these goals, a state-of-the-art facility will be constructed with growth chambers that are calibrated and have highly-controlled pH and alkalinity levels. The strength of this approach lies in meticulous calibration and redundant measurements that will be made to ensure that conditions within the chambers are well described and tightly monitored for DIC levels. Growth and calcification rates in coccolithophores and the developmental rates, morphological and behavioral effects on copepods will be measured. The PIC and POC in the algae and the excreted fecal pellets will be monitored for changes in the PIC/POC ratio, a key parameter for modeling feedback mechanisms for rising pCO2 levels. In addition, 14C experiments are planned to measure calcification rates in coccolithophores and dissolution rates as a result of grazing. These key experiments will verify closure in the mass balance of PIC, allowing the determination of actual dissolution rates of PIC within the guts of copepod grazers.
NSF Climate Research Investment (CRI) activities that were initiated in 2010 are now included under Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES). SEES is a portfolio of activities that highlights NSF's unique role in helping society address the challenge(s) of achieving sustainability. Detailed information about the SEES program is available from NSF (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504707).
In recognition of the need for basic research concerning the nature, extent and impact of ocean acidification on oceanic environments in the past, present and future, the goal of the SEES: OA program is to understand (a) the chemistry and physical chemistry of ocean acidification; (b) how ocean acidification interacts with processes at the organismal level; and (c) how the earth system history informs our understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on the present day and future ocean.
Solicitations issued under this program:
NSF 10-530, FY 2010-FY2011
NSF 12-500, FY 2012
NSF 12-600, FY 2013
NSF 13-586, FY 2014
NSF 13-586 was the final solicitation that will be released for this program.
PI Meetings:
1st U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(March 22-24, 2011, Woods Hole, MA)
2nd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(Sept. 18-20, 2013, Washington, DC)
3rd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting (June 9-11, 2015, Woods Hole, MA – Tentative)
NSF media releases for the Ocean Acidification Program:
Press Release 10-186 NSF Awards Grants to Study Effects of Ocean Acidification
Discovery Blue Mussels "Hang On" Along Rocky Shores: For How Long?
Press Release 13-102 World Oceans Month Brings Mixed News for Oysters
| Funding Source | Award |
|---|---|
| NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) |