Researchers from the university of texas at austin will survey microscopic ocean animals to understand the impact of ocean acidification on their populations during the gomecc cruise in the summer…

This Cooperative Agreement, awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Ocean Acidification Program (CFDA 11.017), provides $100,370.00 to researchers at the University of Texas at Austin led by Dr. Sharon Herzka. The purpose is to survey microscopic ocean animals, or zooplankton, to understand the impact of ocean acidification on their populations during the GOMECC cruise in the Gulf of Mexico in the summer of 2025. The team will capture zooplankton samples, analyze their biomass and community structure, with a focus on counting small marine snails called pteropods, to determine if they can be used as biological indicators of ocean acidification. Additionally, they will analyze the carbon and nitrogen content of the zooplankton to assess nutritional quality. This research aims to enhance understanding of how ocean acidification affects marine ecosystems, which is a key focus area of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program.

Researchers from the university of texas at austin will survey microscopic ocean animals to understand the impact of ocean acidification on their populations during the gomecc cruise in the summer of 2025. The team, led by DR. Sharon herzka, will capture a range of zooplankton using fine-mesh nets at 4 stations on each transect carried out on gomecc. They will investigate biomass, zooplankton abundance, and community structure, with special emphasis on counting the abundance of small marine snails called pteropods. Additionally, they will run analyses on the carbon and nitrogen content of the zooplankton to determine their nutritional quality. These tests will help determine if pteropods or other zooplankton can be used as biological indicators of ocean acidification in the gulf of mexico.