Let's Talk About Race, Religion, and Climate Change (or) What Eelgrass Studies Say About Ocean Acidification

Climate change - it's one of those sticky subjects you might try to avoid at the dinner party. But with defensible data and increasing global impact, scientists are working hard to prove we need to come to terms with the phrase and what it means in the future.

California Sea Grant's Dr. Joe Tyburczy is studying the effects of climate change on our oceans, specifically what is causing ocean acidification and how to promote sustainable use of marine resources, environmental conservation, and long-term security and prosperity of coastal communities.

Dr. Tyburczy's study focuses on eelgrass - a vibrant green marine plant similar to those that grow on land, that thrives in the estuaries of Humbolt Bay, California - one of the largest areas in the state, and a major spot for migratory birds. The species is in danger because of rising ocean temperatures, Dr. Tyburczy's study it to better understand the repercussions of its decline.

His team, which includes other state researchers, has deployed oceanographic instruments in the eelgrass beds to analyze movement and water samples to understand the capacity of eelgrass to chemically modify seawater as it moves through eelgrass beds with the tidal cycles.  The greater the acidification, the more difficult it is to build and maintain shell—directly related to the growth and development of shellfish.

Join our hosts, Product Manager, Janice Yasui, and Applications Engineer, Dr. Xue Fan, as they speak with Dr. Tyburczy's, and learn more about this important study.

Have questions about this podcast or like to suggest a topic in the future? Send us at note at inquiry@sontek.com - we would love to hear from you!

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Ocean Acidification a Challenge for Shellfish in Humboldt Bay (http://now.humboldt.edu/news/research-shows-ocean-acidification-is-a-challenge-for-shellfish-hatchery-ev/)
• Changing Waters in Humboldt Bay: Extension Specialist Joe Tyburczy Awarded Funds to Track Ocean Acidification (https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/news/changing-waters-in-humboldt-bay-extension-specialist-joe-tyburczy-awarded-funds-to-track-ocean)
• Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) (for real-time seawater carbonate chemistry data for Humboldt Bay) (https://data.cencoos.org/?&sensor_version=v2#metadata/100009/station/data)
• More about the SonTek Argonaut-ADV (https://www.sontek.com/argonaut-adv)

CONNECT ON SOCIAL!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sontekysi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SonTekYSI
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sontek_xylem
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SonTekYSI
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sontek-ysi