Local Inorganic Carbon Dynamics: Acidification Status in the Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits
Presentation Abstract
We present findings from recent carbon modeling studies and 5 years of carbon sampling in the Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits. Near-surface pH and aragonite saturation state (ΩA) are highly variable (temporally and with depth) in stratified areas like the Strait of Georgia, and vary less in well-mixed areas like Juan de Fuca Strait and the San Juan Islands. Strong seasonal productivity increases Strait of Georgia surface pH and ΩA during summer, but these waters are naturally corrosive (aragonite-undersaturated) during winter and below 20 m depth. Several potentially acidification-sensitive species of plankton and shellfish reside at least partially within these corrosive zones. Strong Fraser River freshets can offset surface pH and ΩA increases because of low-salinity carbon dynamics, river shading of phytoplankton, and calcium dilution. Estuarine-driven inflows from the Pacific Ocean characterize the deep Juan de Fuca Strait and are carbon-rich during the upwelling season. However, these inflows effectively increase pH and ΩA in the Strait of Georgia because of local carbon retention. These findings may provide insights into several areas of marine management including preservation area planning, aquaculture best practices, and seasonal fisheries forecasting.
Session Title
Ocean Acidification in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Environmental monitoring--Georgia, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Ecosystem management--Georgia, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Seawater--Carbon dioxide content--Georgia, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Environmental monitoring--Juan de Fuca, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Ecosystem management--Juan de Fuca, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Seawater--Carbon dioxide content--Juan de Fuca, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Georgia, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Juan de Fuca, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Local Inorganic Carbon Dynamics: Acidification Status in the Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits
2016SSEC
We present findings from recent carbon modeling studies and 5 years of carbon sampling in the Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits. Near-surface pH and aragonite saturation state (ΩA) are highly variable (temporally and with depth) in stratified areas like the Strait of Georgia, and vary less in well-mixed areas like Juan de Fuca Strait and the San Juan Islands. Strong seasonal productivity increases Strait of Georgia surface pH and ΩA during summer, but these waters are naturally corrosive (aragonite-undersaturated) during winter and below 20 m depth. Several potentially acidification-sensitive species of plankton and shellfish reside at least partially within these corrosive zones. Strong Fraser River freshets can offset surface pH and ΩA increases because of low-salinity carbon dynamics, river shading of phytoplankton, and calcium dilution. Estuarine-driven inflows from the Pacific Ocean characterize the deep Juan de Fuca Strait and are carbon-rich during the upwelling season. However, these inflows effectively increase pH and ΩA in the Strait of Georgia because of local carbon retention. These findings may provide insights into several areas of marine management including preservation area planning, aquaculture best practices, and seasonal fisheries forecasting.
