Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems Division - NOAA/AOML
Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems Division
Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems
The Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division supports NOAA’s mission to understand our oceans and coasts, aid conservation and management of marine ecosystems, and predict changes to these valuable resources. We work on a variety of research topics including the global rise of carbon dioxide, the ability of our ecosystems to support marine life, the safety of our swimming waters, and the health of coral reefs here and across the globe.
OCED Research Teams
Coral Program
Ecosystem Assessment Group
Ocean Carbon Cycle Group
'Omics Program
Recent News
From sample to source: tracking pollution pathways in AOML’s Molecular and Environmental Microbiology Lab
From sample to source: tracking pollution pathways in AOML’s Molecular and Environmental Microbiology Lab
April 1, 2026
With sterile sample bottles at the ready, scientists in the Molecular and Environmental Microbiology Lab at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) prepare to capture water samples for analysis in the lab. Invisible to the naked eye, nutrients, pollutants, and entire communities of bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms drift through these waters leaving clues […]
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March 20, 2026
Scientists at AOML lead workshop for international Surface Ocean CO2 Reference Observing Network (SOCONET)
March 4, 2026
New study suggests electrochemically-induced Alkalinity Enhancement can enhance coral growth rates
February 27, 2026
New study shows the aftermath of a deadly coral disease on the coral reef microbiome
February 25, 2026
Applying omics techniques to examine microscopic life fueling Gulf region ecosystems
Explore the full inventory of our research and ongoing projects with the OCED Catalog.
View OCED Research Project Catalog
Data
We collect and analyze Ocean Acidification, Coral Data, Ecosystem Data, and Carbon Data. Click the thumbnails to visit the Data page and get access.
Ocean Acidification Data
Satellite data and data-assimilative hybrid model maps components of the carbonate system of surface water.
South Florida Ecosystem Data
Ecosystem data from South Florida. Includes Juvenile Sportfish Surveys and South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Research Cruises.
Coral Data
Access data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program, including AOML contributions.
Inorganic Carbon Data
Dissolved inorganic compound (DIC) measurements and underway partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) measurements.
Omics Data
Includes data for coral Omics, the Earth Microbiome Project, and Red Sea Single-Cell Genomes.
Featured Publication
August 2, 2023
Webb, A.E., Enochs, I.C., van Hooidonk, R. et al. Restoration and coral adaptation delay, but do not prevent, climate-driven reef framework erosion of an inshore site in the Florida Keys. Sci Rep 13, 258 (2023).
For reef framework to persist, calcium carbonate production by corals and other calcifiers needs to outpace loss due to physical, chemical, and biological erosion. This balance is both delicate and dynamic and is currently threatened by the effects of ocean warming and acidification. Although the protection and recovery of ecosystem functions are at the center of most restoration and conservation programs, decision makers are limited by the lack of predictive tools to forecast habitat persistence under different emission scenarios. To address this, we developed a modelling approach, based on carbonate budgets, that ties species-specific responses to site-specific global change using the latest generation of climate models projections (CMIP6). We applied this model to Cheeca Rocks…
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New study establishes monitoring framework for evaluating reef persistence under climate change and ocean acidification
August 2, 2023
Webb, A.E., Enochs, I.C., van Hooidonk, R. et al. Restoration and coral adaptation delay, but do not prevent, climate-driven reef framework erosion of an inshore site in the Florida Keys. Sci Rep 13, 258 (2023).
For reef framework to persist, calcium carbonate production by corals and other calcifiers needs to outpace loss due to physical, chemical, and biological erosion. This balance is both delicate and dynamic and is currently threatened by the effects of ocean warming and acidification. Although the protection and recovery of ecosystem functions are at the center of most restoration and conservation programs, decision makers are limited by the lack of predictive tools to forecast habitat persistence under different emission scenarios. To address this, we developed a modelling approach, based on carbonate budgets, that ties species-specific responses to site-specific global change using the latest generation of climate models projections (CMIP6). We applied this model to Cheeca Rocks…
Download Full Paper.
Looking for scientific literature? Visit our Publication Database.
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Engage With Our Science
Research involving Environmental DNA or “eDNA” is an exciting and emerging area of science that can help scientists to manage endangered species, invasive species, and monitor the biodiversity of ecosystems. Learn about environmental DNA through the “Exploring Environmental DNA” video series that covers what
“eDNA” is, environmental DNA sampling technology developed at NOAA AOML, and a hands-on activity for DNA extraction.
Exploring Environmental DNA: What is eDNA?
Under 4 minutes
Exploring Environmental DNA: The New Subsurface Automated Sampler for Environmental DNA
4:25 minutes
Exploring Environmental DNA: At Home DNA Extraction Demonstration
4:45 minutes
International Partnerships
Maintain Ocean Observing Networks
GO-SHIP brings together scientists with interests in physical oceanography, the carbon cycle, marine biogeochemistry and ecosystems, and other users and collectors of hydrographic data to develop a globally coordinated network of sustained hydrographic sections as part of the global ocean/climate observing system.
Participant Information A16N 2023 GO-SHIP/CO2 Repeat Hydrography Cruise
Research Capabilities
Small Boats Program
Key Tools For Ecosystem Monitoring
The AOML small boat program maintains four small boats (a 22 foot flats boat, a 24 foot catamaran, a 25 foot dusky cuddy cabin, and a 21 foot center console) that allows AOML to conduct a variety of coastal research.  Research conducted on the small boats allows AOML scientists to investigate coastal ecosystem, chemical, and oceanographic processes, including on Florida Coral Reefs.
Mobile Carbon Lab
Monitoring the Ocean's Global Carbon Ccle
The Carbon Dioxide (CO
laboratory based out of NOAA/ AOML processes samples from research cruises around the world to determine the CO
uptake by the ocean and to monitor the effect of carbon uptake on ocean health. Sampling is performed at sea during open ocean and coastal cruises and processed in the onboard mobile CO
laboratory or AOML, depending on the nature of the project. Sampling is done to through the whole water column so we can learn more about how the ocean takes up and stores carbon. This collaborative effort between AOML, universities, and other NOAA organizations provides long-term datasets which can be used to measure the changes in carbon content and its effect on the health of the oceans over time.
Experimental Reef Lab
Imagined and Built in 3D
The Experimental Reef Lab (ERL) at the University of Miami was designed and built by AOML and CIMAS to precisely manipulate conditions reef organisms will experience in the future. The lab has 16 completely separate aquarium systems which each can be programmed to have different pH, temperature, and light. One of the unique features of the lab is the fully automated control and logging, facilitating real-time manipulation of dynamic treatment levels. Scientists have used the Experimental Reef Lab’s system to study how certain genotypes of corals may be more resilient to temperature stress, how daily pH fluctuations enhance coral growth, and how ocean acidification will lead to accelerated reef erosion, among other things. Visit the
Lab Page.
Advanced Manufacturing and Design Lab
From Prototype to Proof of Concept
AOML’s Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division has taken a visionary approach to answering our most pressing questions about coral reef health by stepping outside of science and embracing new technology to engineer in-house solutions for underwater sampling. For more information about the Advanced Manufacturing and Design Laboratory, visit the
Lab Page.
Bioinformatics
Developing Capacity for Omics Research
Genome-based techniques improve our ability to characterize and monitor ecosystems. By identifying and studying genomic markers, we can protect fisheries resources and endangered species, locate resources to make advances in pharmaceutical research, and even find natural resources like oil and gas reserves. Genome-based methods include genomics, proteomics, and other “-omics” methods; collectively we call these methods Omics.
One challenge of Omics technologies is that the pace of data generation has outstripped our ability to analyze it. To help address the backlog, AOML has been working to increase bioinformatics capacity, which is critical to the success of all Omics projects. AOML has secured servers dedicated to bioinformatics analysis, hired young scientists to help with analysis, and created user groups (local and NOAA-wide) to provide support.
Who We Are
Jasmin John
Deputy Director, Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems Division
| Jasmin John
Deputy Director, Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems Division
View OCED Staff Page