Investigating the power of kelp to mitigate ocean acidification
Presentation Abstract
Washington State is on the front lines of ocean acidification in myriad ways. Along with Oregon, we’re among the first to experience its effects, but we’re also among the first to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Acting on a recommendation of the Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel, Puget Sound Restoration Fund is currently spearheading a top-notch team of scientists to investigate the potential for kelp to improve carbonate chemistry in local waters. Cultivating and harvesting kelp and other seaweeds in the marine system may help mitigate ocean acidification by directly removing CO2 from the water, creating local pH refugia for marine organisms during grow-out and then removing carbon from the system by harvesting the kelp and using it to produce marketable products.
With partial funding from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the 4-year investigation is being conducted at a demonstration site in Hood Canal, Washington. Pilot scale cultivation of Sugar kelp is scheduled for 2016 with full-scale cultivation and in-field investigation planned for 2017 and 2018.
Our collaborative team is highly motivated to find solutions for mitigating ocean acidification locally in order to protect species that are important ecologically, culturally, and economically. Key calcifying species are already being affected by ocean acidification, including pteropods, tiny marine snails that are an important part of the marine food chain. Recent research shows that 50% of pteropods off the Washington and Oregon coast are already showing signs of dissolution. Moving forward, it is vital that we develop multiple tools and mitigation strategies that can be used in a variety of marine spaces and habitats, since carbon emissions will likely continue to increase the effects of ocean acidification. Kelp cultivation should be part of our growing toolkit to improve conditions for multiple species and bolster resiliency in marine waters.
Session Title
Tackling ocean acidification in the Salish Sea: Six projects happening now to mitigate the impacts, adapt to changing conditions and strengthen resiliency of these marine waters
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
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)
Kelp bed ecology--Washington (State)--Hood Canal; Ocean acidification--Washington (State)--Hood Canal
Geographic Coverage
Hood Canal (Wash.); Salish Sea (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
Investigating the power of kelp to mitigate ocean acidification
Washington State is on the front lines of ocean acidification in myriad ways. Along with Oregon, we’re among the first to experience its effects, but we’re also among the first to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Acting on a recommendation of the Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel, Puget Sound Restoration Fund is currently spearheading a top-notch team of scientists to investigate the potential for kelp to improve carbonate chemistry in local waters. Cultivating and harvesting kelp and other seaweeds in the marine system may help mitigate ocean acidification by directly removing CO2 from the water, creating local pH refugia for marine organisms during grow-out and then removing carbon from the system by harvesting the kelp and using it to produce marketable products.
With partial funding from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the 4-year investigation is being conducted at a demonstration site in Hood Canal, Washington. Pilot scale cultivation of Sugar kelp is scheduled for 2016 with full-scale cultivation and in-field investigation planned for 2017 and 2018.
Our collaborative team is highly motivated to find solutions for mitigating ocean acidification locally in order to protect species that are important ecologically, culturally, and economically. Key calcifying species are already being affected by ocean acidification, including pteropods, tiny marine snails that are an important part of the marine food chain. Recent research shows that 50% of pteropods off the Washington and Oregon coast are already showing signs of dissolution. Moving forward, it is vital that we develop multiple tools and mitigation strategies that can be used in a variety of marine spaces and habitats, since carbon emissions will likely continue to increase the effects of ocean acidification. Kelp cultivation should be part of our growing toolkit to improve conditions for multiple species and bolster resiliency in marine waters.
