IOC/OSS/OTGA/SPC & Ocean Foundation: Ocean Acidification in the Pacific Islands

Résumé

Ocean acidification (OA) is a global environmental issue caused by the continuing release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This course covers the causes of ocean acidification, associated chemical changes, its effects on marine organisms and the global ocean, how to measure ocean acidification, how to plan appropriate observations in the field and experiments in the laboratory, and the political response to the threat of ocean acidification on the global, regional and local scale.

Learning Outcomes

1. You will be able to communicate the concept of ocean acidification, its causes, and associated chemical changes,
2. You will become familiar with ocean acidification’s effects on marine organisms and the global ocean, 
3. You will understand how to measure carbonate chemistry parameters in the lab and in the field,
4. You will be able to perform quality control and assurance on data and understand how to submit it to global data portals,
5. You will be able to plan appropriate observations in the field and experiments in the laboratory,
6. You will become familiar with the resources and online groups in the ocean acidification community.

Course Topics

• Introduction to ocean acidification
• The ocean carbonate system
• Data quality and management
• SDG 14.3.1 Indicator Methodology
• Laboratory experiments for ocean acidification
• Chemical observations in the field
• Biological observations in the field

Target audience(s) from Pacific Island Countries and Territories:

• Scientists of all career stages and fields, particularly biology and chemistry
• Governmental representatives with an environmental portfolio
• Others who want to address ocean acidification

Language: English

Organizers:

• The Pacific Community (SPC), Fiji
• University of the South Pacific (USP), Fiji
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
• University of Otago, New Zealand
• National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand
• University of Hawaii, USA

With support from:  

• Department of State, USA
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA
• FUST (Government of Flanders, Belgium)