Ocean Acidification

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Since the publication of The Royal Society's report Ocean Acidification Due to Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (June 2005, www.royalsoc.ac.uk), there has been growing concern for the potential adverse impacts of a slowly acidifying sea upon marine ecosystems. In recognition of the need for basic research concerning the nature, extent and impact of ocean acidification on oceanic environments in the past, present and future, this announcement has the following broad goals: To understand the chemistry and physical chemistry of ocean acidification and, in particular, its interplay with fundamental biochemical and physiological processes of organisms; To understand how ocean acidification interacts with processes at the organismal level, and how such interactions impact the structure and function of ecosystems, e.g. through life histories, food webs, biogeochemical cycling, and other interactions; To understand how the earth system history informs our understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on the present day and future ocean. New research frontiers require the development of interdisciplinary partnerships and capacity building within the scientific community. Accordingly, full research proposals, exploratory proposals, and community development efforts such as workshops and symposia all are encouraged. Proposals must clearly demonstrate links between the research outcome and the emphasis areas described within the solicitation. Preference will be given to proposals that create new partnerships across traditional disciplines (including molecular and cellular biology, physiology, marine chemistry and physics, ecological sciences, paleoecology, and earth system history) and use diverse approaches (observational systems, experimental studies, theory and modeling) to examine cutting edge research questions related to ocean acidification.

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