Transcript Theme C overview - CCS Community Network

UKCCSC Meeting
March 2006 Edinburgh
Theme 3 CCS and the Environment
C.1 Marine Ecosystem Models
Blackford, (PML)
Marine system models to quantify and predict ecosystem affects of acidification.
C.2 Laboratory Mesocosms
Widdicombe, (PML)
Investigate impact on biodiversity, animal health, bioavailability and speciation of
contaminants
C.3 Natural Analogues
Rees, (PML) and in collaboration with Theme B
Investigate potential analogues to determine relevance of natural seepage and seek
funding if appropriate
C.4 Scientific Literature
Turley (PML), Colls (Nottingham)
Access all appropriate scientific information
C.5 Field experiments
Identify responses to terrestrial leaks
Colls (Nottingham)
C.6 Socio-economics
Austen (PML) and in collaboration with Theme D
Environmental/society interaction and policy implications
C.7 Networking
Turley (PML) and Colls (Nottingham)
Facilitate internal and external information exchange including policy makers
C.1 Marine Ecosystem Models
We have recruited a modeller to work specifically on the TSEC project
We have continued tuning the model parameterisation.
This initial work describing the model set up and some initial sensitivities is now accepted
for publication in the Journal of Marine Systems, due out during 2006.
1600
No CO2 sensitivity
Y2000
Net Primary Production (mg C d-1)
No CO2
A synopsis
of the work will be presented
atsensitivity
EGU 2006 in poster 1%
form (session on ocean
1400
2%
acidification).
33%
Y2000
30%
1200
41%
54%
WCSon acidification, with a view to improving model
We 1000
are planning a modelling workshop
14%
descriptions of a range of pH affects and creating potential research
25% synergies. This
800 from separate NERC funding. Significant interest from some key European
benefits
WCS
researchers has already been noted.
Diatoms
600
to get0.5%
legend
27%
Flagellates
We are
400currently investigating the sensitivity of production rates and community
Picoplankton
57%
structure to carbon limitation. It has been broadly accepted that this is
inconsequential.
200
16%
Our (initial)
results indicate not.
Coccolithophores
0
Next stages:
Jan
Feb
Apr
Jun
Aug
Oct
Dec
Spring bloom
biomass
Develop a high resolution physical model (~50m horizontal resolution)
to assess
the
early phase and local impact of leakage.
Develop models of the impacts noted in mesocosm studies
C.2 Laboratory Mesocosms
PML seawater
acidification
experimental facility
CO2 gas
Regulator
Natural
seawater
Acidified
seawater
Water pump for
circulation
pH &
temp
sensor
Control
box
LAN /
internet
connection
Other experiments
Biodiversity –
2 sediment types – 2 exposure links, pH levels – 8, 7.3, 6.5 & 5.6
Biogeochemistry –
nutrient flux, denitrification, sediment nutrient concentrations, pH profiles,
bacterial productivity, CN.
3 sediment types – 3 times a year, pH levels – 8, 7.6, 7.2, 6.5
Sediment pH profiles
Depth, cm
Mud
Sand
Muddy sand
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
6
7
8
9
6
7
8
9
Bio zone
6
7
8
9
Control
7.7
Control
7.7
Control
7.7
7.3
6.5
7.3
6.5
7.3
6.5
Sediments are effective at internal buffering of overlying pH changes
Sandy sediments differ in their optimal pH to muddy sediments
Brittle Star Eggs
pH
8.0
pH
7.6
Developing eggs
pH
7.2
pH
6.8
Mature eggs
Degenerating eggs
Adults are important cod food
Heart Urchin, Gut epithelium.
Larvae are important part of the
meroplankton
body
gut
pH 7.9
pH 7.3
C.2 Laboratory Mesocosms
The worm Nereis virens and the urchins Brissopsis lyrifera and
Echinocardium cordatum are important species for ecosystem functioning
as their activities change the rate at which nutrients moves between the
sediment and overlying water.
By building and irrigating their burrows, worms significantly increase the
movement of nitrate into the sediment whilst burrowing heart urchins
significantly reduce the movement of nitrate into the sediment.
Nereis virens appears resistant to large changes in seawater pH.
The heart urchins Brissopsis lyrifera and Echinocardium cordatum are
vulnerable to even small changes in seawater pH.
Final flux rates represent a balance between the effects of these cooccurring groups.
This balance will change in response to decreased seawater pH.
Acidification may also have
indirect effects of on marine
organisms
HELP!
There are crabs in this
habitat, I must thicken my
shell
Chemical cue
Edible Periwinkle
Green Shore Crab
Littorina littorea
Carcinus maenas
In a future ocean where the availability of bicarbonate ions are reduced,
snails may be less able to thicken their shells and could therefore be more
vulnerable to predation.
Collaborative project between University of Plymouth (Polly Cleall-Harding, Ruth Bibby, Simon Rundle and
John Spicer) and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (Steve Widdicombe)
C.3 Natural Analogues
Possibility of participation in GeoNet initiative
Possible site in Italy, Panarea, may be too shallow
Investigations ongoing
C.4 Scientific Literature
Short literature reviews on the environmental impacts of CO2 release
Marine
Terrestial
Due in May
C.5 Field experiments
C.6 Socio-economics
Formation of marine Reference User Group (M-RUG), Sept 2005.
First meeting 14 June 2006 in Plymouth
Hartley Anderson Ltd DEFRA
Greenpeace
BP
EEA
RSoc
DTI
WWF
EA
UKCIP
BGS
SNH
Rio Tino/E3G
Formation of Terrestrial Advisory Group (TAG) due July 2006.
C.7 Networking
Currently in NZ talking on OA alongside a virtual Tony Blair
13 Mar: Live Radio Interview BBC Cornwall OA and shellfish
13 Mar: Interview Nathan Budd BBC 2hr programme on CC w. David
Attenborough Interview/advice
10-11 Mar: Jonhanan Leake Display page for Sunday Times article on OA
24 Feb: Sunday Times, Jonathon Leak, Interview – OA
21 Feb: GECC, London, Presentation and Q on OA
30 Jan: Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change Book Launch, Royal Society
30 Jan: Interview w. Marian Osullivan NERC Newsdesk
26 Jan: NERC Energy SR2007 bid, Presentation, development of science area
10 Jan: Marine Conservation in Europe 2006. “Climate change, Surface Ocean
Acidification and their impacts on European seas" Laffoley, Hawkins and Turley.
EU, Submitted paper at meeting,
4-6 Oct 05: Climate Change Workshop “Tipping Points in the Earth System”,
British Embassy. Government initiative as part of the UK Presidency of the EU,
Berlin ,Invited participant at workshop: Contribution to paper arising from the
workshop
C.7 Networking
Steve Widdicombe gave evidence to English Nature Council on 13th-14th
March 2006.
Mike Kendall gave an invited talk at the “Britain in Norway” symposium
organised by the British embassy in Bergen, 11th-14th October 2005. “The
potential environmental impacts of CO2 sequestration in the North Sea”.
Hazel Needham presented a poster “The environmental impacts of CO2
release on marine systems following carbon sequestration” during the “SET for
Britain” meeting held at the Houses of Parliament, 13th March 2006.
Steve Widdicombe attended a “Communicating Climate Change” workshop at
the BBC television centre (26th January 2006). The aim of the workshop was
to provide expert opinion to the BBC on subjects relating to climate change
and how the BBC could best fulfil its commitment to public communication and
education.
Steve Widdicombe will present evidence at the “Meeting of the Scientific
Group Intersessional Technical Working Group on CO2 Sequestration within the
framework of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by
Dumping Wastes and Other Matter, 1972.” (3rd – 7th April 2006).
Jerry Blackford gave a presentation to the University of York Environment
Dept faculty and met with the Stockholm Environment Institute (November
2005).
Summary
On target, no problems