SYNTHESIZING
ACIDIFICATION SCIENCE
The Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN) works directly with scientists, resource managers, industry experts and educators to facilitate research and discussion to address coastal and ocean acidification impacts in the U.S. Southeast.
OCEAN & COASTAL ACIDIFICATION
The oceans absorb approximately one-third of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. The absorption of carbon dioxide changes the chemistry of our oceans, reducing the availability of building blocks that organisms like shellfish and coral use to build their skeletons. This process is called ocean acidification. Coastal acidification can also change the concentration of carbon dioxide in the oceans, though through very different mechanisms, such as nutrient pollution and land-use change.
WHAT
WE DO
SYNTHESIZE
SCIENCE
The science of ocean and coastal acidification can be complicated and changing chemistry and its impacts vary by region. SOCAN focuses on the U.S. Southeast to understand how our coastal waters are changing and what this means for coastal resources.
COMMUNICATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS
The U.S. Southeast has many coastal resources considered vulnerable to acidification, such as shellfish and coral reefs. SOCAN seeks to inform stakeholders about acidification and coordinate approaches to drive monitoring and research to address stakeholder needs.
COORDINATE
MONITORING EFFORTS
Current monitoring for acidification in the Southeast is limited but SOCAN has prioritized and is pursuing new locations to monitor coastal chemistry. We seek to leverage existing resources to expand acidification monitoring to answer questions about dynamic coastal conditions.
ENHANCE COLLABORATION
SOCAN supports efforts among scientists and resource managers to collaborate and engage in data-sharing to drive acidification science forward in the Southeast.
ABOUT
S CAN
Formed in February 2015, the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN) is an interdisciplinary network of scientists, resource managers, and industry, non-profit, and government representatives dedicated to supporting and encouraging discussions on ocean and coastal acidification in the Southeast.
SOCAN is supported by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s Ocean Acidification Program and the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA). Since its foundation, SOCAN has synthesized Southeast acidification research, established regional OA monitoring and research priorities, and developed partnerships with regional stakeholders. Current efforts are focused on facilitating the development of collaborative research and monitoring activities with stakeholders to help understand and manage the impacts of acidification in the Southeast region.
GET
INVOLVED
JOIN A WORKING GROUP
ADD YOUR DATA &
CAPABILITIES TO THE MAP
SOCAN has working groups for science and capacity building. The Science Working Group is charged with synthesizing and expanding regional scientific efforts and responding to funding opportunities for acidification research. The Stakeholder Working Group will drive the strategic growth of SOCAN through partnership development and funding recruitment. Contact us below to join a working group.
SOCAN has just released a new monitoring data portal and is in the process of creating a new map for laboratory capabilities and current research. Contact us below to add your data or information to the maps!
