M/V Columbia starts its study of ocean acidification

An Alaska state ferry recently started work doubling as an ocean research platform.

The M/V Columbia, which conducts weekly runs between Bellingham, Washington and Alaska, has been installed with a seawater monitoring system to study ocean acidification, a byproduct of human-caused climate change which could affect sea life in Alaska and around the world.

The Columbia travels the same route every week from Washington to Skagway, making it an ideal research platform. Every three minutes along the 1,854-mile journey, the Columbia will measure the seawater temperature as it enters the vessel through a port in its bow, about six feet below the sea surface.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The seawater is then pumped to a monitoring system on the ferry’s car deck, where sensors will again record temperature along with dissolved oxygen, salt content and CO2 levels.

By continuously tracking these variables, scientists will be able to study changes in ocean chemistry, how it varies from place to place and what drives those changes.

“Ocean acidification is a moving target. It’s the trajectory of our coastal waters being forced by increasing atmospheric CO2 content and in order to capture that we need to make measurements over a long period of time,” said oceanographer Wiley Evans, of Canada’s Hakai Institute in a release.

The round trip between Bellingham and Skagway is the longest ferry run in North America, according to the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center. The Columbia’s schedule will allow researchers to gather about 11 months of data before the boat is put up for repairs.

The ocean is actually alkaline, not acidic. Ocean acidification is a process linked to climate change by which sea water has become more acidic — less alkaline — which could have a big impact on marine ecosystems, especially shellfish. Scientists predict varying degrees of changes depending on the amount of CO2 humans continue to put into the atmosphere.

More in Neighbors

Cooked Chinese-style fried rice. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking for Pleasure: Chinese-style fried rice

At most of the Chinese restaurants I’ve eaten at over the years,… Continue reading

Guided by generations of traditional knowledge, Indigenous harvesters carefully dry black seaweed along the shoreline, demonstrating how cultural values and sustainable practices ensure these vital marine resources thrive for future generations. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)
Woven Peoples and Place: A conversation with regional catalysts for economic development and mariculture

A growing contingent of Southeast Alaskans are driving local economic transformation toward… Continue reading

Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: Gathering to share ‘Faith in the Future’

First, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)
Living and Growing: The light of the world

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the… Continue reading

Orange apricot muffins ready to eat. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Orange apricot muffins for breakfast

A few years ago when I had a bag of oranges and… Continue reading

Tari Stage-Harvey is pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: Watching our words for other people

I could be wrong, but the only time Jesus directly talks about… Continue reading

A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gimme A Smile: Help me up

I fell on the ice the other day. One minute, I was… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: Imagine the comfort of Jesus’ promise of heaven

Earlier this month, former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of… Continue reading

Caesar salad ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Restaurant-style Caesar salad

When I go to a fine restaurant and Caesar salad is on… Continue reading

(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
Living and Growing: Free will

Genesis 1: 26 -28 And God said, Let us make man in… Continue reading

Becky Corson is a member of Shepherd Of The Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo provided by Becky Corson)
Living and Growing: ‘Secondhand’ can be a wonderful way to go

These clothing sales are ruining my life. Maybe that’s an overstatement. It’s… Continue reading

A sculpture of Constantine the Great by Philip Jackson in York. (Public domain photo republished under a Creative Commons license)
Living and Growing: Christianity or Churchianity?

Several cruise ship passengers arriving in Juneau this September were greeted on… Continue reading