Next week, Alaska State Ferry begins OA monitoring along 1,000 miles of coastline
After 3 years of planning and preparation, the Alaska Marine Highway System's M/V Columbia will begin collecting data on ocean acidification during its weekly round trip between Bellingham, WA and Skagway, AK. This multi-partner project constitutes the longest distance CO2 monitoring effort in the world conducted by a ferry. Learn more through the KRBD radio story.
Fall fieldwork spans waters across Alaska
September was a busy month for OA monitoring, with data collection efforts encompassing the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering Seas, as well as the Gulf of Alaska. Highlights included the completion of 10 years of OA sampling on the Seward Line (a transect extending from Resurrection Bay), and an autonomous Saildrone equipped with carbon sensors that set a record for the furthest north unaccompanied autonomous surface vehicle (ASV). Read more.
Scientist interview: meet Allison Bidlack
Allison Bidlack is the director of the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center at the University of Alaska in Juneau. With a focus on temperate rainforests and carbon cycle dynamics, she has been one of the leading proponents behind using the Alaska Marine Highway System to collect OA data. Read the interview.
Southeast residents learn about ocean acidification at Petersburg festival
On Sept 7, the 10th annual Rainforest Festival in Petersburg kicked off with a keynote address on ocean acidification. Amanda Kelley, the co-director of the Ocean Acidification Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, led an audience of 50 through the nuts and bolts of ocean acidification and answered questions. Amanda’s visit was part of an effort by the Alaska OA Network to connect researchers with as many coastal communities as possible. Read more.
Alaska writer Nancy Lord publishes new novel on ocean acidification
This month, acclaimed Alaska writer Nancy Lord released her latest book called "pH: A Novel". The story investigates what happens when toxic academic forces collide with scientific inquiry and performance art. A surprisingly entertaining story, "pH: A Novel" involves marine scientists working on ocean warming and ocean acidification issues while getting into conflict with one another. More on the novel.
Nancy and OA Network director Darcy Dugan will be giving a joint talk at the UAA Bookstore on October 4 at 5pm. Event details.
Upcoming events
Oct 3: Ferry M/V Columbia begins inaugural voyage with OA sensor package link
