Oceanic Acidification and Its Impact on Olivine and Oysters: Episode 1
NOAA's Milford Laboratory Advances Research on Ocean Acidification and Shellfish Aquaculture
The NOAA Fisheries Milford Laboratory, located in Connecticut, is at the forefront of research focused on understanding and mitigating the effects of ocean acidification on marine bivalves, particularly species such as the Atlantic sea scallop.
During an internship at the lab, one intern, [Your Name], worked on projects that delved into the science communication of ocean acidification and laboratory experiments related to its effects on marine bivalves, specifically oysters. The internship also involved participation in a marine carbon dioxide removal experiment led by fellow intern Jennifer Herrera, investigating the impact of the mineral olivine on oyster larvae.
The lab's research portfolio prioritises the intersection of ocean acidification biology and shellfish aquaculture sustainability. Key projects include the development of probiotics for oyster hatcheries, studies of aquaculture gear as habitat for marine life, research on nutrient bioextraction by shellfish and seaweed, shellfish genetics research, and investigations into offshore shellfish aquaculture potential.
These efforts align with NOAA's broader mission to sustain shellfish populations, improve hatchery outputs, and explore innovative aquaculture approaches to adapt to environmental changes caused by acidification. The lab's work is of significant importance to the northeast U.S., where shellfish aquaculture is a key economic sector.
The Milford Lab's commitment to shellfish research is evident in its history and ongoing projects. The lab houses a research vessel, the R/V Loosanoff, and has a summer intern poster hanging in the lab's lobby. Notable visitors to the lab have included NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, and other leaders in the field of shellfish aquaculture.
In addition to traditional research, the intern also worked on updating websites and designing new web content to raise awareness of marine bivalve ocean acidification research projects at the Milford Laboratory. Collecting and studying surfclam feces and pseudofeces may help indicate how surfclams respond to the stress of ocean acidification.
The intern's work at the lab, under the guidance of mentors Katyanne Shoemaker, Matthew Poach, and Renee Mercaldo-Allen, highlights the lab's ongoing efforts to advance our understanding of ocean acidification and its impact on marine bivalves, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the sustainability of these vital species and their aquaculture applications.
References: [2] NOAA Fisheries Milford Laboratory. (n.d.). Research. Retrieved from https://milfordlab.noaa.gov/research/
- integrating science communication about ocean acidification with fitness-and-exercise could help raise awareness and encourage health-and-wellness activities that contribute to reducing climate-change effects, as demonstrated by the intern's work at the NOAA Fisheries Milford Laboratory.
- understanding the impact of climate-change and ocean acidification on marine bivalves, such as the Atlantic sea scallop and oysters, is crucial not only for the sustainability of shellfish aquaculture, but also for the environmental-science community, as the Milford Laboratory's research portfolio highlights.
- partnerships between the health-and-wellness industry and environmental-science institutions, such as NOAA's Milford Laboratory, could potentially explore innovative approaches to address climate-change challenges, particularly through the development of new technologies or practices for aquaculture sustainability.
