Part 3: Chemical Oceanography
Ocean Chemistry
Chemical oceanography studies the composition of seawater and the biogeochemical cycles that control the distribution of elements and compounds. The ocean is a massive reservoir of dissolved substances, playing a critical role in global carbon and nutrient cycles.
Topics in This Part
3.1 Seawater Chemistry
Major and minor elements, residence times, conservative vs non-conservative
3.2 Dissolved Gases
O₂, CO₂, N₂ - solubility, distribution, and biological cycling
3.3 Nutrients & Cycles
Nitrogen, phosphorus, silica, iron - limitation and cycling
3.4 Ocean Acidification
CO₂ uptake, carbonate chemistry, impacts on marine life
3.5 Marine Pollution
Plastics, heavy metals, oil spills, eutrophication
The Carbon Cycle
Ocean Carbon Reservoir
38,000 Gt C
~50× atmospheric carbon
Annual CO₂ Uptake
~2.5 Gt C/yr
~25% of human emissions