Page 83 - Livre_MOW2024_EN

SHARING SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS | 81

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES Future editions of the guide will also include
procedures and methods for investigating the effects
One priority is to ensure that ocean acidification is of ocean acidification on marine organisms. Experts
monitored. This is a potentially costly and painstaking at the workshop created a decision tree to help users
task as it involves measuring multiple parameters, solve complex questions relating to data requirements
such as pH and total alkalinity, with great precision. for acidification monitoring in the context of devising
But implementing consistent, affordable monitoring adaptation measures. This tool is designed to help
techniques across the globe is challenging due to a define research objectives, data requirements and
lack of technological capability. Developing simplified appropriate monitoring techniques and procedures.
procedures would enable more researchers and “Developing practical tools like decision trees can
communities around the world, including in developing equip researchers to tackle the local and regional
regions, to measure acidification and its consequences, impacts of ocean acidification effectively”, noted
and in turn adapt to and mitigate its current and future Sam Dupont, a marine biologist at the University of
effects. Gothenburg.

The first edition of the “Practical Best Practices
A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICES for Ocean Acidification Monitoring” guide will be
The aim of the workshop was for the diverse group published online by the end of the year and represents
of scientists present, all of whom are committed to an important step forward for all stakeholders tackling
tackling ocean acidification, to finalise the “Practical ocean acidification worldwide.
Best Practices for Ocean Acidification Monitoring”
guide. This document contains simplified procedures
for measuring key chemical variables like total
alkalinity, pH and carbon dioxide concentrations - World average oceanic pH -
in seawater. Other features include guidance on
laboratory safety and ocean sampling procedures,
and data collection sheet templates. Jana Friedrich,
head of the Radioecology Section at the IAEA Marine
Environment Laboratories, underlined the importance
of “practical, widely-accepted methods that can
be applied consistently in order to track ocean
acidification and assess its impacts”.

IN Global mean ocean surface pH
FIGURES Uncertainties

The pH of seawater dropped
from 8.11 in 1985 to 8.05 in 2021.
Since the pre-industrial era (i.e. 1750),
ocean acidity has increased by 40%.
(Source: ‘Ocean Acidification’,
Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring
Service (CMEMS, marine.copernicus.eu))