This dataset contains laboratory experiment data that were collected to examine the effects of elevated levels of CO2 on phytoplankton physiology and nutrition for fishery-based food webs. Phytoplankton are single-celled photosynthetic organisms at the base of marine food webs that support finfish and shellfish production. At present, it is unclear how changes in atmospheric partial pressure of CO2 and ocean pH will affect phytoplankton physiology and community structure. We were funded to begin single-species, laboratory-culture experiments assessing the influence of experimentally-varied steady-state pH/CO2 upon phytoplankton physiology and nutritional content, including growth rate, elemental composition (C, N, P), total carbohydrates, lipids, and fatty acids. The data presented here represent the single species experiments done from 2011-2013.

Phytoplankton, the foundation of marine ecosystems, are increasingly subjected to ocean acidification (OA). To understand the impacts of OA on the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf (SLEG), this project investigated the physiological responses of phytoplankton to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Specifically, we submitted a natural population of phytoplankton collected in the Estuary to a decreasing gradient of pH (from 8.1 to 7.2) and measured key biogeochemical parameters such as chlorophyll-a (chl-a), nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TA), pH, essential fatty acids (EFAs), bacterial abundance, and genetics (RNA transcriptomics). The sampling was conducted during a 14 day laboratory experiment at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute during summer 2024. By combining controlled mesocosm experiments with metatranscriptomics, we aimed to identify critical thresholds for OA impacts on phytoplankton growth, community composition, and nutritional quality. The dataset includes several inorganic carbon state variables, phytoplankton- and bacterial-associated variables, nutrient concentrations, as well as gene expression analysis data. To ensure the highest standard of data quality, sample collection and processing procedures adhered to the guidelines set by the Guide to Best Practices for Ocean CO2 Measurements (Dickson et al. 2007) and followed detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to maintain consistency (Mitchell et al. 2002). Quality Control (QC) methods included: regular calibration of analytical instruments to ensure accurate measurements; the use of standard reference materials for calibration or control samples to monitor the accuracy and precision of the analysis; running blanks to check for contamination; replicating analyses on certain samples to assess precision.

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and scup (Stenotomus chrysops) compose important recreational and commercial fisheries along the United States Atlantic coast. Black sea bass is a temperate species, associated with reef habitat. Wild stocks and landings have been decreasong in recent decades. The demand for black sea bass exceeds supply, and the high market value has prompted research to evaluate their potential for commercial aquaculture. Recent studies conducted at the National Marine Fisheries Service, Milford, CT laboratory examined growth rates of juvenile scup fed commercial diets. This and other on-going studies at Milford have shown scup to acclimate quickly to tank conditions in the laboratory, and to exhibit rapid growth rates. These studies indicate the possibility that scup have potential as a candidiate species for commercial aquaculture. Studies with both fish species suggest they are interesting species for studies of the effects of ocean acidification because of their economic importance as fisheries species. These studies focused on laboratory-based experiments to measure the biological effects of elevated levels of CO2 on embryos of these important marine finfish. Adult black sea bass were naturally conditioned and spawned in the laboratory by photo-thermal manipulation. Adult scup were strip-spawned at sea and their eggs were fertilized at sea. The fertilized eggs of both species of fish were exposed to two treatment levels of pCO2 and one control level, with three replicates per treatment and the controls. Measurements of biological effects included percent hatch, viable embryos, abnormal embryos, and dead embryos. Measurements of dissolved oxygen concentration, percent oxygen saturation, temperature, salinity and pH were taken daily in each treatment container and the controls. Samples of seawater were taken at the time of intial experimental setup and at the time of hatching from each container for analyses of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and analyses of pH by spectrometry.

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and scup (Stenotomus chrysops) compose important recreational and commercial fisheries along the United States Atlantic coast. Black sea bass is a temperate species, associated with reef habitat. Wild stocks and landings have been decreasong in recent decades. The demand for black sea bass exceeds supply, and the high market value has prompted research to evaluate their potential for commercial aquaculture. Recent studies conducted at the National Marine Fisheries Service, Milford, CT laboratory examined growth rates of juvenile scup fed commercial diets. This and other on-going studies at Milford have shown scup to acclimate quickly to tank conditions in the laboratory, and to exhibit rapid growth rates. These studies indicate the possibility that scup have potential as a candidiate species for commercial aquaculture. Studies with both fish species suggest they are interesting species for studies of the effects of ocean acidification because of their economic importance as fisheries species. These studies focused on laboratory-based experiments to measure the biological effects of elevated levels of CO2 on embryos of these important marine finfish. Adult black sea bass were naturally conditioned and spawned in the laboratory by photo-thermal manipulation. Adult scup were strip-spawned at sea and their eggs were fertilized at sea. The fertilized eggs of both species of fish were exposed to two treatment levels of pCO2 and one control level, with three replicates per treatment and the controls. Measurements of biological effects included percent hatch, viable embryos, abnormal embryos, and dead embryos. Measurements of dissolved oxygen concentration, percent oxygen saturation, temperature, salinity and pH were taken daily in each treatment container and the controls. Samples of seawater were taken at the time of intial experimental setup and at the time of hatching from each container for analyses of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and analyses of pH by spectrometry.

NWFSC scientists are studying the biological effects of ocean acidification on larval geoduck, Pacific oyster, krill, copepods and pteropods (zooplankton that are food for the fish we eat), Dungeness crabs, market squid, surfsmelt and rockfish, all North Pacific species of economic, ecological, or conservation concern that are potentially vulnerable to the effects of ocean acidification, climate change, and deoxygenation. The NWFSC Ocean Acidification (OA) team has built an experimental state-of-the-art facility for growing animals in conditions that mimic pre-industrial, current, and future ocean carbon dioxide levels to observe changes in animal growth, survival and behavior. To more closely mimic conditions that marine organisms experience in the ocean, scientists use the ocean acidification facility to reproduce the natural changes that occur in carbon dioxide levels, temperature, and oxygen concentrations at daily, weekly and seasonal scales. The experimental system allows for the dynamic control of pCO2 and other environmental parameters, which enables us to mimic the natural patterns of variability in carbon chemistry that occur on diurnal and tidal cycles and with upwelling events and phytoplankton blooms. The system also provides control over temperature, dissolved oxygen, food delivery and photoperiod, allowing for experiments on multiple stressors. The relatively high water volumes in the system permit simultaneous experiments on multiple species. The laboratory requires constant uptake to maintain its function and will be modified as needed to support our research program. In addition to the laboratory work, the NWFSC OA team is modeling the effects of ocean acidification on regional marine species and ecosystems using food web models, life-cycle models, and bioenvelope models. Finally, the NWFSC OA team is collaborating with other Genetics and Evolution Program staff and with other NWFSC scientists to examine the genetic effects of exposure to ocean acidification in some of these organisms (notably, Dungeness crab, representing one of the most lucrative fisheries in the United States), using proven genetic breeding designs and pedigree analyses, combined with experimental treatments and exposure over multiple generations. Research on ocean acidification's effects on marine organisms is a focal issue for NMFS and is supported in part by NOAA's Ocean Acidification Program (part of the agency's office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research). This work has components involving laboratory experiments and outreach. Outreach projects by the NWFSC OA research team include participation in community events (e.g., public presentations, working with school groups, etc.) and development of education materials. They also mentor a relatively large number of undergraduate interns and provide other graduate and undergraduate research opportunities. Ocean acidification experimental results for Dungeness crab, China rockfish, Pacific herring, bivalves, krill, and other species.

The NWFSC OA team will model the effects of ocean acidification on regional marine species and ecosystems using food web models, life-cycle models, and bioenvelope models. Spreadsheet.

Feed costs and time to harvest are key factors affecting the economic viability of domestic sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) aquaculture. Use of fast growing all-female monosex stocks dramatically reduces time to harvest, but our research to date indicates that the commercial salmon feeds typically used by industry are not optimally formulated for sablefish and there is still a high degree of potential for improved growth and feed conversion. The effects of dietary balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrate on productive performance, growth and feed conversion at any post-juvenile stage of development are unknown, and there are no commercial diets specifically formulated for sablefish aquaculture in the marketplace. Dietary nutrient imbalances combined with inappropriate feeding schedules and strategies contribute to poor nutrient utilization and are unlikely to fully support the growth potential of this species, impeding continued efforts to improve performance during grow-out to harvest. Thus, research activity focuses on establishing performance optimized diets and feeding strategies that support maximum growth, efficient feed conversion and other economically important traits such as fillet yield. Information on proximate composition of fish and tissues and aqua feeds and of feed constituents and selected fish tissues.

Essential nutrients for seagrass growth may be derived from benthic decomposition of organic matter. Two experiments run consecutively from December 2003 to February 2004 tested this idea. Cores of Halophila ovalis (seagrass-vegetated) and unvegetated sediment (control) from the Swan River, WA were amended with either particulate organic matter (POM) or dissolved organic matter (DOM) to test whether a positive feed-back loop exists, where increased organic matter results in increased seagrass nutrients.

Juvenile red and blue king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus and P. platypus) were exposed to three pH levels: ambient (pH 8.1), pH 7.8, and pH 7.5 for three weeks. Oxygen consumption and feeding ration were determined immediately after exposure to treatment water and after three weeks exposure. Growth can be calculated from the wet mass observations.