Ocean Acidification in Alaska

Welcome to Ocean Acidification in Alaska, presented by the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network. 

The objective of this course is for students to gain a process-based understanding of ocean acidification’s impact within Alaskan environments. This course will cover the fundamentals of the carbon cycle, ocean carbon chemistry, and the biological pump, as well as special topics including species case studies and regional profiles of Alaska’s waters.

Learning Outcomes

Through this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the principles of ocean acidification, including the functions of key biological and chemical processes. 

• Explain the effects of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide on ocean processes. 

• Describe the current scientific understanding of how ocean acidification impacts different marine species of interest in Alaska. 

• Evaluate potential changes in human activities that can affect environmental outcomes and advocate for effective changes within local communities. 

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course, but a willingness to engage with unfamiliar concepts is essential. This course is recommended for ages 14+. 

Course Format

This course is arranged into 8 modules that consist of instructional material, educational videos, and infographics. Learning is self-paced and students may complete modules in any order. Each module will vary in the time it takes to complete, depending on the student’s level of engagement with the material. The average student completes this course within 10 hours. This course does not require students to submit homework or other assignments.  

Module 1: Climate, Carbon, Chemistry Module 5: Salmon Case Study

Module 2: Acidification in Alaska Module 6: Crab Case Study

Module 3: Local Conditions Module 7: What Are We Doing About It?

Module 4: Impacts on Local Species Module 8: What Can I Do?