Ocean Health

Ecosystem dynamics and evolution is a research theme for both the VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada networks. The power of these networks to record real-time variations in the physical, chemical, geological and biological parameters allows for quantitative and cause-and-effect relationships to be determined.

Researchers using both VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada networks are pursuing studies related to ocean hypoxia and ocean acidification. VENUS has data from Saanich Inlet (an exceptional site for hypoxia studies and trends) and for the anthropogenic effects seen in the Strait of Georgia. VENUS is making this a focus area of research in its new CFI/LEF ($11M) award to be implemented between 2011 and 2014.

NEPTUNE Canada has instruments measuring O2 values in coastal waters (Barkley Sound) and others at sites of upwelling (Barkley Canyon) and changes within the water column near the shelf-break (north of Barkley Canyon).