Time-Series Observations of Ocean Acidification: a Key Tool for Documenting Impacts on a Changing Planet

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Background

Ocean acidification is a global phenomenon with local effects. Marine ecosystems are facing multiple stressors leading to significant changes. Time-series observations are the basis to understand these changes and distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic variability of physical, chemical, and biological components of marine environments. Moreover, field monitoring is often neglected as a tool to document the responses of marine organisms and key habitats to ocean acidification. Time-series observations of ocean acidification are thus critical to understanding the current threats that the ocean's ecosystems are witnessing and efficiently developing and implementing adaptation and mitigation solutions.



Time-series dedicated to observing ocean acidification, other stressors, as well as biological parameters, are the baseline for long-term assessment of the ocean's health and for evaluating the efficiency of local and global actions toward achieving climate targets. Therefore, the goal of this Research Topic is to highlight the latest research efforts conducted to document ocean acidification patterns and trends and their consequences on marine life. In this issue, we will focus on new and old time-series stations, efforts to bridge physical, chemical, and biological observations, and their application for modeling and future projections.



This Research Topic encompasses all aspects of time-series observations that contribute to the quantification and forecasting of ocean acidification patterns and trends, and their impact on marine organisms, ecosystems, and societies, whether in coastal or open ocean areas.



Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and methodological/guidelines papers. The topics covered in this Research Topic include but are not limited to:



- Time-series observations related to ocean acidification in coastal areas, marginal seas, and the open ocean;

- Studies that link physical, chemical, and biological observations;

-Modeling and projections of ocean acidification variability and patterns;

-Methodologies, best practices, new products, and recommendations that can help the observational community in advancing ocean acidification research and linking it with other climate-related consequences;

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We encourage those submitting to pay special attention to Frontiers' publication ethics concerning data availability and use. Data providers of the time-series observations should be cited appropriately and funders should be acknowledged as well. If the research involves surface ocean carbonate chemistry trends, we recommend those submitting to consider best practices in trend analysis (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.1045667).

Keywords: Ocean Acidification, Time-Series Observations, Biological Effects, Biogeochemical Trends, Changing Planet

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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