Scientists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute released a study this spring linking Silicon Valley commuters with increasing carbon dioxide levels in the Monterey Bay.Francisco Chavez and his team of researchers at MBARI have been measuring CO2 in the waters off the coast of Moss Landing for 25 years. In 2017 the team started to focus on carbon levels in the air too and noticed a distinct spike in the mornings."We were able to triangulate back to the source of the high CO2 values and they were coming from Hecker Pass and from Salinas Valley," said Chavez.Hecker Pass links the Silicon Valley to the Monterey Bay and Chavez said the pollution is carried on offshore breezes during the morning hours. The data shows those same winds also carry CO2 from Salinas released during the overnight hours at agricultural plants.The team has been using its wave glider, an autonomous vehicle in the bay, to take the measurements daily.Chavez and his team estimate these two sources could account for a 20 percent increase in carbon on the Monterey Bay.CO2 is absorbed by our oceans and while it helps to thwart global warming it leads to ocean acidification. As the PH levels change in our oceans the increasing acidity can negatively impact organisms that depend on calcification like corals and shellfish.Chavez says the sea breezes could also be bringing other pollutants alongside CO2 that is also being absorbed by the ocean.

Scientists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute released a study this spring linking Silicon Valley commuters with increasing carbon dioxide levels in the Monterey Bay.

Francisco Chavez and his team of researchers at MBARI have been measuring CO2 in the waters off the coast of Moss Landing for 25 years. In 2017 the team started to focus on carbon levels in the air too and noticed a distinct spike in the mornings.


"We were able to triangulate back to the source of the high CO2 values and they were coming from Hecker Pass and from Salinas Valley," said Chavez.

Hecker Pass links the Silicon Valley to the Monterey Bay and Chavez said the pollution is carried on offshore breezes during the morning hours. The data shows those same winds also carry CO2 from Salinas released during the overnight hours at agricultural plants.

The team has been using its wave glider, an autonomous vehicle in the bay, to take the measurements daily.

Chavez and his team estimate these two sources could account for a 20 percent increase in carbon on the Monterey Bay.

CO2 is absorbed by our oceans and while it helps to thwart global warming it leads to ocean acidification. As the PH levels change in our oceans the increasing acidity can negatively impact organisms that depend on calcification like corals and shellfish.

Chavez says the sea breezes could also be bringing other pollutants alongside CO2 that is also being absorbed by the ocean.