Funded Research
Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia
Over the last two years, Oregon's Ocean Science Trust dispersed $1,000,000 to seven grant recipients prioritizing strategic research, monitoring, and communications to address ocean acidification and hypoxia.
Funding originated when the Oregon Legislature passed funding bill HB 3114 in 2021, to provide $1,000,000 to priority actions from the Oregon Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Action Plan 2019-2025. In consultation with the Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH Council) the Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) began a competitive grant process to fund strategic research and address the risks and vulnerabilities caused by OAH that threaten Oregon’s economy and ecosystems.
What is ocean acidification and hypoxia?
Oregon’s ocean is changing, and many species have
already shown signs of distress. Just as humans need
calcium to build their bones, sea creatures need calcium
carbonate to build strong skeletons and shells. The
ocean absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide, which is changing
the ocean’s chemistry and prevents the development of
calcium carbonate. This is called ocean acidification.
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As a result of the changing chemistry, we are seeing
sea creatures’ skeletons and shells becoming thinner or
more brittle. Climate change is also the cause of hypoxia, as warmer waters hold less oxygen. As the Pacific Ocean warms, its ability to hold a lot of oxygen declines. The term “hypoxia” refers to low or depleted oxygen in a body of water. Because most organisms need oxygen to live, few organisms can survive in hypoxic conditions. Local actions will lead to a brighter future, for the oceans, its species, and the communities that depend on them.
This core message was developed through an OOST grant in partnership with the OAH Council. Learn
more about the process of writing this message for the public in project 7, as well as the six other ocean acidification and hypoxia funded research grants supported by the OOST:
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Grant Progress Reports
