The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN)
seeks to answer basic questions about the intensity, frequency, and location of acidification events. MACAN seeks to understand the causes of those events, whether from atmospheric sources of carbon, land based pollution, or something else. MACAN also works to educate managers, elected officials, industry representatives, and the public about solutions to reduce those sources of acidification. MACAN can be a starting point to work together towards data driven answers to tough acidification questions.
The quickly rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere are leading to ocean acidification (OA), as the oceans absorb this excess CO2. Global ocean pH has declined by about 0.1 units since pre-industrial times, representing an increase in acidity of about 30 percent. The Mid-Atlantic may be especially vulnerable to acidification in coastal waters, where high nutrient levels and rapid growth of plankton further reduce pH. OA causes organisms to expend more energy to regulate their body chemistry and reduces the availability of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which corals, clams, oysters, lobsters, and other species require to build and maintain shells and skeletons. As a result, OA could have important effects on numerous culturally and commercially important species in the region.
MACAN's Workforce Development Fellowship Request for Proposals
Deadline October 31, 2023
Click here for more information
MACAN's Coastal & Ocean Acidification Workshop
Videos & Presentations Available Soon!
September 11-12, 2023
Click here for more information
Watch: OA Research Highlights Around the Region: Part 2
Click here to view a recording of MACAN's May 22 webinar
Watch: A Coupled Biogeochemical-Biological-Economic Modeling System to Quantify Climate Change Impacts on Oyster Aquaculture in Chesapeake Bay
Click here to view a recording MACAN's April 24 webinar
Watch: Mitigating OA through Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR): Opportunities and Challenges in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Click here to view a recording of MACAN's March 30 webinar
Watch: 'OA Research and Education Highlights Around the Region'
Click here to view a recording of MACAN's March 2 webinar
Coastal Acidification in the Classroom: A Module for the Mid-Atlantic
Visit our blog to download this tool for educators
Building Partnerships around Ocean Acidification on the East Coast: The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network Read the NOAA Acidification Program feature on MACAN
Shipwrecks, Oyster Middens & Artifacts
Download this hands-on lesson on ocean acidification for high school students
Civic Science Initiative: Oyster Project
Learn how CSI Oyster engages citizen scientists to study the link between oyster growth rates and water quality in Chesapeake Bay
NOTE TO USERS: Sharing information is an important role that MACAN plays in the region. However, any resources shared from members on this site does not indicate endorsement by the entities coordinating MACAN or those on its Steering Committee.
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