Chemical Oceanography



Chemical Oceanography

Chemical Oceanography

Chemical oceanography is the study of the composition of seawater, the elements found in the sea, and their exchange with the atmosphere, the bottom sediments, and the marine plants and animals. Chemical oceanographers study the geochemistry of seawater, the interrelations among and distribution of nutrients. They are concerned about the cycles of salinity, oxygen, carbon, and nutrients, and are particularly interested in the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and the pH balance of the ocean (Erickson 2003). If the ocean temperature becomes too high, or the water is too acidic, for example, coral bleaching is ...