Short Science Summary: Changes in Oceanographic Systems

Changes in the Ocean from Marine Renewable Energy: Changes in Oceanographic Systems

The tides, waves, currents, and water circulation make up the oceanographic processes that control the marine environment by determining the concentrations of dissolved gases and nutrients, transporting sediment, and supporting habitats and water quality that allow marine organisms and ecosystems to stay healthy. Harnessing energy from the movement of water with marine renewable energy (MRE) devices has the potential to affect these processes by changing the natural flow patterns around devices, decreasing wave heights, or removing energy from the system.

This Short Science Summary was developed based on the OES-Environmental 2020 State of the Science Report: Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Development Around the World, specifically Chapter 7: Changes in Oceanographic Systems Associated with Marine Renewable Energy Devices.