MSMS 5040 Marine Chemistry
Course Guide for the OC Core Course in Marine Chemistry (MSMS 5040)
LinkedIn Learning
Online Tutorials
- Introduction to CO2 Chemistry in Seawater Part 1Over the past twenty years, accurate measurement of the seawater carbon dioxide system has become a high priority for scientists who have worked to understand just how much of the carbon dioxide created by man's activities has ended up in the ocean, where it is distributed, and how it has changed the chemistry of the oceans; a process known as ocean acidification. Andrew G. Dickson, Professor of Marine Chemistry at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography UC San Diego, has been measuring carbon dioxide in seawater for over 30 years. In this two-part series, he introduces the basic chemical processes underlying the study of carbon dioxide in the oceans, and provides an overview of the experimental techniques that are in use to measure the levels of carbon dioxide in seawater indicating how a newcomer to this field might make decisions as to what research tools best suit them.
- Introduction to CO2 Chemistry in Seawater Part 2Over the past twenty years, accurate measurement of the seawater carbon dioxide system has become a high priority for scientists who have worked to understand just how much of the carbon dioxide created by man's activities has ended up in the ocean, where it is distributed, and how it has changed the chemistry of the oceans; a process known as ocean acidification. Andrew G. Dickson, Professor of Marine Chemistry at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, has been measuring carbon dioxide in seawater for over 30 years. In this two-part series, he introduces the basic chemical processes underlying the study of carbon dioxide in the oceans, and provides an overview of the experimental techniques that are in use to measure the levels of carbon dioxide in seawater indicating how a newcomer to this field might make decisions as to what research tools best suit them.
- Ocean Acidification Symposium: The Other CO2 ProblemKatie Baer Jones talks about the impact of Ocean Acidification on coralline algae and iconic shellfish such as Paua and oysters. Increases in the total dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean lower the pH in the ocean, reducing the availability of carbonate ions for the making of shells.
- Ocean Acidification Symposium: Recent Advances in Measurement of Seawater pHHugh Doyle's research focuses on accurate measurement of the pH in seawater. He explains some of the short-comings of even the most accurate measurement tool: Spectrophotometry
- Ocean Acidification Symposium: Iron and BacteriaEls Maas explains the vital role bacteria play in breaking down larger molecules and releasing nutrients. Bacteria are part of the microbial foodweb in the oceans.
- Ocean Acidification Symposium: The metal isotope toolbox: Linking Oceans and ClimateDr Claudine Stirling talks about bio-active metals such as iron, zinc, cadmium and others, and their role in the ocean climate cycle.
- Marine ChemistryThis course is an introduction to chemical oceanography. It describes reservoir models and residence time, major ion composition of seawater, inputs to and outputs from the ocean via rivers, the atmosphere, and the sea floor. Biogeochemical cycling within the oceanic water column and sediments, emphasizing the roles played by the formation, transport, and alteration of oceanic particles and the effects that these processes have on seawater composition. Cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, and sulfur. Uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide by the ocean. Material presented through lectures and student-led presentation and discussion of recent papers.
- Marine Isotope ChemistryThe objective of this course is to develop an understanding of principles of marine isotope geochemistry, its systematics, and its application to the study of the behavior and history of the oceans within the earth system. The emphasis is on developing the underlying concepts and theory as well as proficiency in working with practical isotope systems. The course is divided into four sections: nuclear systematics, Earth formation and evolution, stable isotopes, and applications to the ocean system.
- Marine Organic GeochemistryThis class is designed to provide the student with a global to molecular-level perspective of organic matter cycling in the oceans and marine sediments. Topics include: Organic matter (C,N,P) composition, reactivity and budgets within, and fluxes through, major ocean reservoirs; microbial recycling pathways for organic matter; models of organic matter degradation and preservation; role of anoxia in organic matter burial; relationships between dissolved and particulate (sinking and suspended) organic matter; methods for characterization of sedimentary organic matter; and application of biological markers as tools in oceanography. Both structural and isotopic aspects are covered.
- Marine Chemistry SeminarThe structure of the course is designed to have students acquire a broad understanding of the field of Marine Chemistry; to get a feel for experimental methodologies, the results that they have generated and the theoretical insights they have yielded to date.
- Marine Chemistry - Lecture Readings - Ocean Biogeochemistry LabThe oceans are in interactive contact with the atmosphere, biosphere and lithosphere and virtually all elements pass through the ocean at some point in their cycles. In this class we will learn about the first-order processes that take place within the sea and affect its chemistry. What controls the distribution of chemical species in seawater and sediments? How long do different elements spend, on average, in the ocean? How do marine chemical processes interact with the biological, geological, and physical processes in the oceans? How can the chemistry of the oceans affect the future of planet Earth?