I read with interest Dan Konieczko’s clarification on the origins of ocean acidification since I made a presentation at a meeting convened on Feb. 25 by Professor Jon Reisman on using the Bay of Machias to mitigate, and/or adapt to the threat posed to commercial shell fishing.

At the meeting were marine scientists and local government officials, and contributing was Brian Beal, a distinguished marine scientist who directs the soft-shell lab. Professor Reisman opened the meeting by noting that physical geography of Machias Bay, ascendance of ocean acidification and climate engineering and U.M.M. ‘branding’ as “coastal university” all combine to strongly suggest UMM should take leadership role in efforts to use Machias Bay as an ocean acidification mitigation research venue/lab.

I made a PowerPoint presentation highlighting various issues: Current research and policy efforts in Maine, including Rep. Mike Devin’s pending legislation, a conference in Washington State and the XPRIZE competition to develop Ocean compatible pH measuring devices.

The specific issues and opportunities in Machias Bay were discussed, including increasing the pH levels of treated waste water discharged into the bay, researching the spatial and temporal variability of pH levels, raising the pH levels of freshwater discharges, replicating a Casco Bay study that used crushed shells to buffer the water in plots designed to attract wild clams, and researching/rearing species that will survive in a higher pH in various watershed and precipitation pH, hydrogeology and biology data needs and availability, community partners and potential sources of grant funding.

One of the more interesting observations was from the treatment plant director who had an interest in restoring salmon and spoke of the periodic high pH levels in stream runoff from decaying evergreen forests. This related acidification to the massive effort to restore salmon. For example, a pH lower than 6.2 is harmful to Atlantic salmon, while higher levels can have a similar effect. Nocturnal-diurnal fluctuations of pH indicative of algae blooms can reach 8.5, and an elevated pH may trigger a shift in available nitrogen from dissolved ammonia. Other nutrients, like nitrates, can also contribute to pH levels.

All of this is to say that it is rather simplistic, if not dogmatic, to attribute ocean pH levels to dissolved CO2 when there are other causes which are more significant. Acidification may even be beneficial to the commercial shell fishery, since it can impact on predators.

One participant, Tora Johnson of UMM’s G.I.S. department, presented some background information on ongoing research and policy efforts; and advocated for a focus on adaptation as opposed to mitigation. She suggested that a time sensitive model of the bay’s pH variability could be developed from the data collected.

Dr. Beal suggested both laboratory and field trials of organisms, including larvae and juveniles of blue mussels, sea scallops, soft-shell clams, hard clams, Arctic surf clams, Atlantic surf clams and European oysters. Lobsters would be observed as acidification affects their growth. Test plots of crushed shells protected with netting could be designed as a reduced acidification environment and located at various sites in the Bay.

UMM faculty agreed that this is an opportunity UMM should lead and pursue, and Machias town employees voiced support for such an effort. Professor Reisman noted the multiplicity of potential partners who should be or are already aware of this effort, including the towns of Machias, Machiasport, East Machias, Whiting and Cutler — all Machias Bay bordering municipalities.

Mid Coast ocean researchers can contact either me or Professor Reisman, U.M.M. on the status of the project’s initiatives.

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Frank J. Heller is the founder of Katahdin Energy Works in Brunswick.