Many studies of the biological effects of ocean acidification have focused on the predicted change of mean pH level in the ocean according to the IPCC scenarios. However, current nearshore environments are also influenced by acidified water if hypoxic, low-pH sea water upwells from below the continental shelf, and is advected to shallow nearshore environments. Even though the upwelled water can generally persist in the nearshore environment for only a few hours, this can happen routinely (50- 200 times / yr) in upwelling driven ecosystems, such as those of the California Current and Peruvian upwelling large marine ecosystems.

Many animals living in nearshore marine environments have adapted to the local natural fluctuations of pH and DO. However, some organisms or life stages may be adversely affected by these conditions, depending on the duration or frequency of exposure during upwelling events. Frequent and prolonged upwelling events induced by climate change may negatively influence marine animals, particularly those that produce calcified structures.  I am exploring the effect of fluctuating exposure to acidified and low oxygen water on various nearshore animals such as abalone and clams.