Ocean acidification

The on-going rise of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is not only changing our climate – it is also changing our oceans.

Ocean acidification

More than a quarter of the CO2 released to the air by human activities is absorbed by the world’s oceans. 

This helps buffer global climate change but also causes seawater to acidify.

This acidification may threaten the delicate balance of life in our oceans.

Take a look below at the research NIWA and its partners are carrying out into this important global issue.   

NIWA is working with a range of national and international partners to understand the impact of ocean acidification and to look for solutions.

You can find out more about our activities at: 

New Zealand Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NZOA-ON)

CARIM

Sustainable Seas

Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network

Commonwealth Blue Charter

Latest news

A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves.
New Zealand’s changing ocean environment has prompted the call to develop a system that will keep closer tabs on information from scientific monitoring buoys so the data they produce can be shared as widely as possible.

The on-going rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) that is fuelling climate change is also driving significant changes in the waters off our coasts.

At a laboratory just outside Whangarei, scientists are putting very young snapper through comprehensive physical testing - including a full medical check-up involving smell, hearing, vision, and even anxiety testing.

Latest videos

Ocean acidification - what is it?

The on-going rise of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is not only changing our climate—it is also changing our oceans. Take a look at the work of the NIWA-led CARIM project into what these changes may mean for the delicate balance of marine life.

Mitigating ocean acidification to protect mussels

Professor Cliff Law from NIWA describes research to protect mussels from ocean acidification. New Zealand has a $300 million mussel industry that is under threat from climate change, as coastal waters become increasingly acidic due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. 

Ocean Acidification

The oceans are an important sink for atmospheric CO2, but as they take up increasing amounts of CO2 they are becoming more acidic.

This has knock-on effects on some marine organisms and on the ocean's ability to sequester carbon. NIWA oceanographer Dr Cliff Law explains the impacts of ocean acidification on organisms that use carbonates to build their shells, and on bacteria. Effects on bacteria may reduce the ocean's ability to take up atmospheric CO2, creating a positive feedback loop, whereas organisms that use carbonate may find it more difficult to form and maintain their shells. (07:00) 

Thin Ice

In late 2013, a group of scientists from NIWA travelled to Antarctica to perform a series of experiments under the sea ice to look at how climate change and ocean acidification could affect this fragile ecosytem.

How can we help you?
A joint NIWA and Department of Conservation (DOC) project is extending New Zealand’s ocean acidification monitoring network to include marine reserves.
New Zealand’s changing ocean environment has prompted the call to develop a system that will keep closer tabs on information from scientific monitoring buoys so the data they produce can be shared as widely as possible.

The on-going rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) that is fuelling climate change is also driving significant changes in the waters off our coasts.

Ocean acidification - what is it?

The on-going rise of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is not only changing our climate—it is also changing our oceans. Take a look at the work of the NIWA-led CARIM project into what these changes may mean for the delicate balance of marine life.

Mitigating ocean acidification to protect mussels

Professor Cliff Law from NIWA describes research to protect mussels from ocean acidification. New Zealand has a $300 million mussel industry that is under threat from climate change, as coastal waters become increasingly acidic due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. 

At a laboratory just outside Whangarei, scientists are putting very young snapper through comprehensive physical testing - including a full medical check-up involving smell, hearing, vision, and even anxiety testing.
A decade of scientific research into how ocean acidification is affecting New Zealand waters has led to far greater understanding of the vulnerability of our marine ecosystems, according to a newly published review.
Ocean Acidification

The oceans are an important sink for atmospheric CO2, but as they take up increasing amounts of CO2 they are becoming more acidic.

This has knock-on effects on some marine organisms and on the ocean's ability to sequester carbon. NIWA oceanographer Dr Cliff Law explains the impacts of ocean acidification on organisms that use carbonates to build their shells, and on bacteria. Effects on bacteria may reduce the ocean's ability to take up atmospheric CO2, creating a positive feedback loop, whereas organisms that use carbonate may find it more difficult to form and maintain their shells. (07:00) 

The world’s oceans are acidifying as a result of the carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by humanity.
A NIWA-led project to tackle coastal acidification in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s answer to ocean acidification is a model of the ‘best team’ approach – when organisations pool talent and resources to find solutions to national, or global, issues.]
Thin Ice

In late 2013, a group of scientists from NIWA travelled to Antarctica to perform a series of experiments under the sea ice to look at how climate change and ocean acidification could affect this fragile ecosytem.

Acidification of the world’s oceans from rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reduces the availability of carbonate required by some marine organisms to build shells and skeletons, and potentially affects their ability to maintain existing structures.

Ocean acidification

Otago water shows how the ocean is changing.

For the last 14 years, in collaboration with the University of Otago's Chemistry Department, Dr Kim Currie has run a time series tracking ocean acidification. Every two months, she collects water samples along a 65-kilometre line from the tip of Otago Harbour out into subantarctic waters.

The series is invaluable because it covers the different subtropical and subantarctic water currents in a one-day trip: the only place in the world where this is possible. Along the line, Otago University scientists measure the pH, while Currie measures the other three parameters - alkalinity, total dissolved inorganic carbon and partial pressure of CO2. The data helps to model changes in different water masses at different times. For example, pH is linked to temperature, and so varies between summer and winter and from year to year. 

Our oceans are expected to become more acidic as carbon dioxide concentrations rise. This will likely have impacts on the plankton, which play a major role in ocean ecosystems and processes.
 

Key contacts

Principal Scientist-Marine Biogeochemistry
Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology

All staff working on this subject

Principal Technician - Marine Ecology
Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
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Marine Biogeochemistry Technician
Principal Scientist-Marine Biogeochemistry
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Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) Numerical Modeller
Principal Scientist - Carbon Chemistry and Modelling
Principal Scientist - Marine Ecology
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Ocean-Atmosphere Technician
Fisheries Scientist
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