Ocean acidification (OA), the lowering of the ocean’s pH due to human-driven increases in atmospheric CO2, threatens many coastal communities and industries, and is thus linked to high environmental, economic, and societal losses. Yet, OA and its local context remains under-discussed by educators, industry workers, and community members. To address this shortcoming, NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, and the Aquarium Conservation Partnership collaboratively created the “Exploring Our Changing Ocean: Impacts and Response to Ocean Acidification in the U.S.” StoryMap collection. The six StoryMaps, which I researched for and storyboarded, support localized OA education, outreach, and calls to action by showcasing regional OA trends, impacts, and community responses taking place across each of NOAA’s six Coastal Acidification Network regions. The StoryMaps intend to 1) Increase understanding about impacts of carbon emissions on our oceans and contribute to aquariums' place-based storytelling efforts on addressing climate change in their communities, 2) Reach new audiences, specifically members of the public visiting U.S. aquariums and marine education centers, although traditional audiences, such as academics, government leaders, and seafood growers can engage as well, and 3) Accelerate calls to action by showcasing detailed personal calls to action which help move OA activities beyond science. Currently, I am working with the United Nations Foundation on effectively distributing the StoryMaps to partner aquariums and implementing the content into larger climate change narratives and outreach. The StoryMaps can be shared as interactive displays, virtual-learning materials, or hard-copy outreach materials in participating aquariums, as well as through networks like educators, non-profits, conservation organizations, or international climate leadership fora. Through regionalized storytelling, this project will increase awareness of local OA trends and responses, facilitating enhanced awareness and action in at-risk communities.

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) can be produced from lignocellulosic fibers using a novel peracetic acid (PAA) oxidation treatment in combination with mechanical treatment. The nature of lignin - the glue that holds fibers together in a plant - present on the fibers is not well researched. In order to explore this, we will start by taking different samples of cellulose fibers extracted from wheat straw, each with a different lignin content and treating them with a low dosage of PAA to oxidize the fibers. Then we will run Klason chemical analysis and Shimadzu High-Pressure Lignin Chromatography (HPLC) to collect data on the lignin and sugars present in the treated fibers. We then mechanically fibrillate them via high-shear blending to produce NFC and compare the yields of NFC of each lignin level. NFC itself has a high specific strength and specific surface area and is biodegradable. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, NFC can be used in various applications from smart food packaging, to building materials, sensors, bioplastics and more. Using our findings, the lignin content within the fibers can be tuned at the processing level to best suit certain applications. The ability to maximize the final lignin content of NFC can increase yields and potentially lower operating costs significantly. We aim to prove that NFC can be produced from high-lignin cellulosic fibers to minimize chemical input and lower energy demands with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of the process.