BIOACID Programme - Natural Environment Research Council

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BIOACID: Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification
4. Structure of the Project and Consortium Building
4.1. Scientific programme
In order to achieve the objectives of BIOACID, five thematic areas have been identified which
cover the range of processes from the base of the marine food chain to the community and
ecosystem level, and of mechanisms from the sub-cellular to the whole organism level. In view
of their distinct sensitivities to ocean acidification, calcification and carbonate dissolution
processes will be the focal point of a separate theme. According to these research priorities the
scientific programme of BIOACID is structured under the following five themes:
Theme 1: Primary production, microbial processes
& biogeochemical feedbacks
Theme 2: Performance characters:
Reproduction, growth & behaviours in animal species
Theme 3: Calcification: Sensitivities across phyla and ecosystems
Theme 4: Species interactions and community structure in a changing ocean
Theme 5: Integrated assessment: Sensitivities and uncertainties
BIOACID will pursue a multidisciplinary approach, involving scientists with expertise in cell and
molecular biology, microbiology, physiology, evolutionary biology, marine ecology, marine
chemistry, biogeochemistry and numerical modelling. BIOACID will employ a wide range of
scientific approaches and methodologies, extending from field monitoring of OA-sensitive areas
and ecosystems to joint mesocosm perturbation experiments, combined with closely coordinated
ecosystem and biogeochemical modelling activities using parameterizations of observed
biological responses and their biogeochemical implications.