Ocean Acidification 2020
OSPAR's group of ocean acidification experts (ICG-OA) met back-to-back with the meeting of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) North-East Atlantic Hub from 22-23 September 2020. Despite the limitations of videoconference, it was a busy and productive meeting with excellent progress being made in the all three elements of the planned ocean acidification assessment contributions for the QSR 2023:
- Physicochemical timeseries and maps of pH and aragonite saturation (ΩAr)
- Modelling and future predictions
- Case studies of OA biological impacts on commercial species and species of conservation importance
Intercalibration exercises on the ocean acidification parameters total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon are planned as part of QUASIMEME are planned for the winter 2020/21. This is an important step in ICG-OA’s work to developing a harmonised monitoring programme as part of OSPAR’s Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme (CEMP).
The draft OSPAR Voluntary Commitment on UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.3 “to minimise and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels” was finalised and will be considered by CoG in November 2020. The intention is for the Voluntary Commitment to be made during OSPAR’s Ministerial Meeting 2021.
