Virginia Institute of Marine Science

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- With 500+ faculty, staff and students and three campus locations, VIMS is equipped to tackle pressing challenges through research, education and advisory service.
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- Research & Advisory
- VIMS celebrates 50 years of shark research, a milestone for marine conservation.
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- Academics
- Research published in Nature Communications by Ph.D. student Mary Bryan Barksdale shows coastal landscapes are at risk of a diminished, fleeting blue carbon stock.
  
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- Marine Science Day 2024 drew 2,000+ with educational exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages.
  
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- A new report by VIMS emphasizes a collaborative approach to mitigating sudden oyster mortality syndrome.
  
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- Giving
- Lifetimes dedicated to environmental science inspired Fu-Lin Chu Ph.D. '82, P '97, P '12 and William Chu P '97, P '12 to create a fellowship for graduate students in the School of Marine Science.
  
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Acidification Forecasts

AcidificationSummary
Quick Summary Acidification occurs when the amount of CO₂ dissolved in the water changes, thus changing the water pH. Acidification of estuaries and the coastal ocean can have detrimental effects on shellfish, such as oysters, by impacting their growth and survival. The impacts of acidification may be more prominent in lower salinity waters, particularly those impacted by eutrophication. Eutrophication leads to excessive growth of algae and a corresponding increase in respiration (decay of the algae). The increased respiration decreases the pH through the production of CO₂. This means the Chesapeake Bay may be especially vulnerable to acidification. Water CO₂ concentrations are also increasing globally as the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere increases, resulting in a global-scale decrease in pH.

Click on the headings below to see Nowcast, Forecast, Trend, and difference from the long-term average line plots and maps. One set of maps shows the entire Chesapeake Bay and a second set focuses on the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers.

Another dropdown tab highlights effects of climate change and related stressors, including acidification, on oysters in Chesapeake Bay.

costressors_dropdown
Climate Change, Acidification, and Multiple Stressor Effects on Chesapeake Bay Oysters A recent research project was conducted by a team of scientists from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Oregon State University, and Anchor QEA to evaluate how the compounding effects of multiple stressors affect oyster growth and oyster aquaculture production in the Chesapeake Bay. This research utilized extensive outreach to shellfish aquaculturists, including oyster farmers and resource managers, and cutting-edge science to evaluate how sensitive Chesapeake Bay oyster aquaculture is to past and projected future habitat conditions in the Bay. Results from the project indicate that under future acidification, warming, and nutrient management, there will be substantial reductions in shell and tissue weights of Eastern oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Lower oyster growth rates will be largely driven by lowered calcium carbonate saturation states and lowered food availability. Oyster aquaculture practices in the region could also be affected. Natural selection in wild oysters and selective breeding in hatchery-based aquaculture in response to changing conditions may help mitigate some of these impacts. Choices about where to locate oyster farm operations may become increasingly important as impacts will be highly variable across the Bay. The results of the study are presented on an interactive web map that visualizes the modeled influence of numerous oyster stressors on aquaculture harvest landings. The project-specific webpage and interactive map viewer can be found at the Interactive Map Webpage.

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pH Line Plots pH can be viewed through time at select locations to understand the seasonal and weekly changes in pH in the Chesapeake Bay. Overlaying the modeled pH on top of long-term averages from observed data shows how the forecasted pH compares to the historical average. Grey lines show one standard deviation above and below the average.

TribPhSurf
pH - Surface Maps Difference From Long-Term Average Current conditions are compared to the long-term average conditions to put current conditions in perspective relative to average conditions. Long-term average conditions were calculated using a computer model simulation spanning 1985 through 2023. The below map shows the difference between current conditions and the long-term average conditions on the day noted. For more information on the long-term averages please see the Chesapeake Atlas.

TribAlkSurf
Alkalinity - Surface Maps Difference From Long-Term Average Current conditions are compared to the long-term average conditions to put current conditions in perspective relative to average conditions. Long-term average conditions were calculated using a computer model simulation spanning 1985 through 2023. The below map shows the difference between current conditions and the long-term average conditions on the day noted.For more information on the long-term averages please see the Chesapeake Atlas.

BayOmegaSurf
Aragonite Saturation State (Omega) - Surface Maps Note: As part of an active research project, the aragonite saturation state (omega) from the forecast model is currently being improved. Please interpret with caution. Difference From Long-Term Average Current conditions are compared to the long-term average conditions to put current conditions in perspective relative to average conditions. Long-term average conditions were calculated using a computer model simulation spanning 1985 through 2023. The below map shows the difference between current conditions and the long-term average conditions on the day noted.For more information on the long-term averages please see the Chesapeake Atlas.

pHbottom
pH - Bottom Maps

bottom alkalinity
Alkalinity - Bottom Maps

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Aragonite Saturation State (Omega) - Bottom Maps