Project Highlight
This project fills a critical gap in ocean acidification and hypoxia monitoring off California's North Coast by establishing the Trinidad Head Ocean Observing Node and enhancing existing observation programs to better understand environmental stressors affecting marine ecosystems.
Project Summary
Ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) pose significant threats to marine ecosystems along California's North Coast, yet comprehensive monitoring of these conditions has been lacking in this region. This project addresses that critical gap by building upon and connecting three existing observation programs: monthly ship-based surveys along the Trinidad Head Line, the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) shore station at Trinidad Wharf with complementary sensors in Humboldt Bay and a glider line extending 300 nautical miles offshore. The research team has established the Trinidad Head Ocean Observing Node at a mid-shelf station and enhanced ship-based survey coverage of state waters to create a more comprehensive monitoring network.
The project aims to increase understanding of the origins, timing, duration and intensity of OAH exposures and related biological stressors, particularly harmful algal blooms, that affect ecosystems and natural resources in coastal waters north of Cape Mendocino. Researchers are assessing potential OAH exposure risks for krill, larval fish, larval crabs and other zooplankton while examining connections between OAH and phytoplankton blooms, including harmful algal blooms. The project also investigates connections between OAH and eDNA-based measures of marine biodiversity and evaluates direct OAH impacts on sensitive species.
The team has completed two successful field seasons and established a seasonal observational system to measure OAH, oceanographic parameters and currents near the seafloor and throughout the water column along the Trinidad Head Line. Enhanced with a second profiling mooring instrument, the system now allows for more efficient equipment swaps and improved observation continuity. Researchers are developing automated quality control systems and statistical models to translate observations into real-time forecasts of OAH exposure, while maintaining active engagement with stakeholders including resource managers, shellfish growers, fishers and Tribal governments. These comprehensive data sets will support the development and application of coupled physical-biogeochemical models as decision-support tools for northern California's marine resources.
Alex Harper