Salish Sea model: ocean acidification module and the response to regional anthropogenic nutrient sources

• Main Authors: Pelletier, G. J., Bianucci, Laura, Long, Wen, Khangaonkar, Tarang, Mohamedali, Teizeen, Ahmed, Anise, Figueroa-Kaminsky, Cristiana, Bednarsek, Nina
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Western CEDAR 2018
• Subjects: Salish Sea model; Ocean acidification; Pteropod threshold; Fresh Water Studies; Life Sciences; Marine Biology; Natural Resources and Conservation; Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology; Pacific
• Online Access: https://cedar.wwu.edu/ssec/2018ssec/allsessions/362; https://cedar.wwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2797&context=ssec

Several monitoring programs indicate the presence of lower pH and related changes in carbonate system variables in the Salish Sea. This project expands the existing Salish Sea Model to evaluate carbonate system variables. This project quantifies the influences of regional nutrient sources on acidification. The model accounts for Pacific Ocean upwelled water, regional human nutrient contributions, and air emissions around the Salish Sea. This effort also identifies geographical areas and seasons experiencing greater influence from regional sources of nutrients to Salish Sea waters. Results from this effort indicate that increased dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phytoplankton biomass, and non-algal organic carbon caused by regional anthropogenic nutrient sources can constitute significant contributors to acidification in the Salish Sea.