The AOAT project is engaged in monitoring/modeling efforts designed to: a) establish methodologies for monitoring, assessing, and modeling the impacts of Ocean Acidification (OA) on coral reef ecosystems, b) identify critical thresholds, impacts, and trends necessary for developing forecasts, c) characterize the variability in carbonate chemistry in coral reef environments, and d) provide data and information needed to inform ecological impact forecasting. Existing projections of OA on coral reef ecosystems (e.g. Silverman et al., 2009) make a core assumption that secular declines in carbonate mineral saturation state (O, a key parameter of OA interest) are equivalent to those experienced in the oceanic surface waters. Sustained observations at the AOAT, however, reveal considerable complexity and diverge from neighboring oceanic waters during most periods. Seasonal ranges in O-values exceed those anticipated as aconsequence of OA over the next several decades. Complexities within near-reef waters are likely the norm and we seek to better model the primary controls on near-reef carbonate chemistry. The AOAT has served as a critical venue to foster research from other agency and academic partners towards the development of techniques which can be applied to monitor OA within reef environments and quantify the local feedbacks that can alter rates and magnitude.

The AOAT project is engaged in monitoring/modeling efforts designed to: a) establish methodologies for monitoring, assessing, and modeling the impacts of Ocean Acidification (OA) on coral reef ecosystems, b) identify critical thresholds, impacts, and trends necessary for developing forecasts, c) characterize the variability in carbonate chemistry in coral reef environments, and d) provide data and information needed to inform ecological impact forecasting. Existing projections of OA on coral reef ecosystems (e.g. Silverman et al., 2009) make a core assumption that secular declines in carbonate mineral saturation state (O, a key parameter of OA interest) are equivalent to those experienced in the oceanic surface waters. Sustained observations at the AOAT, however, reveal considerable complexity and diverge from neighboring oceanic waters during most periods. Seasonal ranges in O-values exceed those anticipated as aconsequence of OA over the next several decades. Complexities within near-reef waters are likely the norm and we seek to better model the primary controls on near-reef carbonate chemistry. The AOAT has served as a critical venue to foster research from other agency and academic partners towards the development of techniques which can be applied to monitor OA within reef environments and quantify the local feedbacks that can alter rates and magnitude.

Scientists within the ACCRETE (Acidification, Climate, and Coral Reef Ecosystems Team) Lab of AOML_s Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division (OCED) have constructed a tool to monitor ocean acidification over the wider Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. This tool utilizes satellite data and a data-assimilative hybrid model to map the components of the carbonate system of surface water. This effort represents an update to the experimental Ocean Acidification Product Suite (OAPS) developed by Coral Reef Watch (http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/oa/index.php). To resolve the seawater carbonic acid system, we use the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and pH. Surface pCO2 is approximated by taking total tropospheric column CO2 from the AIRS mid-tropospheric CO2 and AMSU instruments on board the Aqua satellite (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/AIRS/data-holdings/by-data-product-v5/AIRX3C2M) and adjusting it for the marine boundary layer by replacing the annual cycle of the observed AIRS data with that from the NOAA Marine Boundary Layer (http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/mbl/). Following this adjustment, seawater pCO2 is estimated using an empirical model relating the differential between sea surface and atmospheric CO2 partial pressure to changes in CO2 gas solubility (K0). Total alkalinity (TA) is calculated using the Subtropical/Tropical algorithm from Lee et al. (2006). Sea surface temperature is derived from an optimal interpolated product at 9km resolution (http://www.remss.com/measurements/sea-surface-temperature/oisst-description) and salinity is obtained from a data-assimilative hybrid model (HYCOM https://hycom.org/). These measurements, together with pCO2 and TA, allow calculation the complete carbonate system. Data are updated monthly at a 9km resolution. Initial results indicate good agreement with observed values from cruises and MAPCO2 buoys, but further testing and refinement of algorithms is planned.

The AOAT project is engaged in monitoring/modeling efforts designed to: a) establish methodologies for monitoring, assessing, and modeling the impacts of Ocean Acidification (OA) on coral reef ecosystems, b) identify critical thresholds, impacts, and trends necessary for developing forecasts, c) characterize the variability in carbonate chemistry in coral reef environments, and d) provide data and information needed to inform ecological impact forecasting. Existing projections of OA on coral reef ecosystems (e.g. Silverman et al., 2009) make a core assumption that secular declines in carbonate mineral saturation state (omega, a key parameter of OA interest) are equivalent to those experienced in the oceanic surface waters. Sustained observations at the AOAT, however, reveal considerable complexity and diverge from neighboring oceanic waters during most periods. Seasonal ranges in omega values exceed those anticipated as a consequence of OA over the next several decades. Complexities within near-reef waters are likely the norm and we seek to better model the primary controls on near-reef carbonate chemistry. The AOAT has served as a critical venue to foster research from other agency and academic partners towards the development of techniques which can be applied to monitor OA within reef environments and quantify the local feedbacks that can alter rates and magnitude.

This archive package contains calcification data from coral cores extracted from Flower Gardens East Bank Reef as part of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program’s (CRCP’s) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). Corals annually form bands within their skeletons that manifest as high-density lines perpendicular to their growth axes. By precisely measuring the spacing and density of these bands, scientists can obtain a record of linear extension and skeletal density, respectively. Linear extension and skeletal density are, in turn, used to calculate annual calcification. Cores are collected by diver, underwater, using a pneumatic drill rig. Once removed, the small (~5 cm diameter) lesions are plugged with epoxy, and the resulting cores are analyzed using computed tomography (CT). Coral core data included herein were collected at long-term monitoring sites by the Acidification Calcification and Coral Reef Ecosystems Team (ACCRETE), based at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML).

Coral cores collected nearby the Atlantic Ocean Acidification Test-bed (AOAT) at La Parguera, Puerto Rico were used to characterize the relationship between paleo-variations in coral growth and calcification and seawater pH via the boron isotope proxy. This study addressed impacts of ocean acidification in a geological context to quantify baseline variability in growth and pH and assess the historical response of coral ecosystems to increased atmospheric CO2 and enhance on-going AOAT observations.

This dataset includes high-frequency (hourly to sub-hourly) coastal acidification time-series data collected during nine deployments in the aforementioned seven estuaries along the US East Coast, US West Coast and Gulf of Mexico from 2015-04-23 to 2020-07-29. These data include water temperature, salinity, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in water, dissolved oxygen (DO) in water, and pH on the total scale. The instruments used to collected these data include Sunburst SAMI-CO2, Pro-Oceanus CO2-Pro CV and a LiCOr LI-820 CO2 gas analyzers for autonomous pCO2 measurements, Sea-Bird SeapHOx and SeaFET instruments for pH measurements, Sea-Bird SeapHOx and Aanderaa Oxygen Optode instruments for DO measurements, and YSI water sensing instrument packages for measurements of conductivity (salinity), temperature and depth. Beginning in 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Estuary Program (NEP) started a collaboration with partners in seven estuaries along the East Coast (Barnegat Bay; Casco Bay), West Coast (Santa Monica Bay; San Francisco Bay; Tillamook Bay), and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Coast (Tampa Bay; Mission-Aransas Estuary) of the United States to expand the use of autonomous monitoring partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and pH sensors to evaluate carbonate chemistry in the estuarine environment.

The Long-Term Monitoring at the East and West Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 2002-2006 data include biological and oceanographic measurements collected to satisfy the MMS and NOAA contracts 1435-01-02-CT-85088 and 1435-01-04-CT-33137 through the monitoring year 2006. The Flower Garden Banks are located in the northwest Gulf of Mexico and are unique within the region. The Flower Garden Banks are coral reefs with biological assemblages typical of Caribbean coral reefs, including approximately 23 Caribbean scleractinian coral species, a low abundance and diversity of sponges, and reef fishes. These data are the result of yearly monitoring events and are used for comparison purposes required to complete technical reports and presentations. Statistical analyses, photographs, and videography are not included in this submission. On the East and West Flower Garden Banks there are 100 m by 100m study sites within which monitoring is conducted every year. The data included in this submission are from these study sites and include the following: (1) random transect benthic cover data obtained using videography (2002-2006), still photographs (2002-2003) and linear point intercept observer data (2002-2003). Random transect data include the proportional cover of benthic components including coral species, sponges, algae, and other groups. (2) Sclerochronology data are taken during odd years to look at short-term (10 years) change in coral growth rates. (3) Photographs of marked Diploria strigosa colony margins are taken annually to track lateral growth or recession of colony margins over time. Data within this dataset start with comparisons between 2001 and 2002. (4) Repetitive 8m2 quadrat planimetry data follow specific coral colonies over time. Coral colonies are traced each year to measure lateral growth, loss, and/or replacement within a continuously monitored 8m2 area. Data within this dataset start with comparisons between 2001 and 2002. (5) Abiotic water quality parameters are recorded on a continual basis using YSI datasondes. Data include temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen concentration, dissolved oxygen charge, pressure, depth, pH, pHmV, par1, par2, turbidity, and salinity. Additionally, HoboTemp thermographs are used as a back-up to record temperature. On YSI datasonde changeout cruises water samples are taken at surface, mid-water and at the benthos for nutrient and cholorphyll analysis. (6) Fish population surveys are completed to monitor fish species abundance and size from year to year.

To support a long-term NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, from 2010-02-17 to 2010-03-23, reef fish assessment surveys were conducted, as a part of Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA), during the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise HA1001 in the American Samoa region by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) at the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). During the cruise, 123 REA sites were surveyed at Tutuila in the American Samoa region. At each REA site, fish biologists entered the water and conducted a fine-scale (~700 m^2) and high degree of taxonomic resolution REA survey to assess and monitor species diversity, size distribution, and abundance of fish in shallow-water hard-bottom (less than 30 m) habitats. Reef fish assessment surveys were focused on cataloging the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages. The stationary point count (SPC) method was used to quantify reef fish species. Two divers lay out a 30 m transect line, and position themselves at the 7.5 and 22.5 meter marks. The SPC biologist then records estimated size and abundance of all fish within a visually estimated 15-m diameter cylinder centered on the stationary diver (7.5-m radius, total area ~ 177m^2 per cylinder). The diver first spends 5 minutes identifying all fish species in the cylindrical area, then proceeds to count and estimate size (total length) for each in a series of "instantaneous" point counts or sweeps of the cylinder. Fish were identified at the species level, wherever possible. All reef-associated fish, including those in the water column, were surveyed. The survey time for each stationary point count survey was approximately 20 min and generally four stationary point count surveys (two per diver) were conducted at each fish REA site. After completing REA surveys, divers noted the presence, at the survey site, of any unusual fish species not counted during SPC counts, in order to facilitate species lists per location.