chemical oceanography

Chemical oceanography is a branch of oceanography focused on the composition of seawater and the physical, biological, and chemical processes that influence its changes over time and space. The six most abundant ions in seawater are chloride, sodium, sulfate, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, making up about 99% of sea salts. Salinity, a measure of salt content, typically ranges from 34 to 37 parts per thousand in the open ocean.1234

Seawater also contains dissolved gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, as well as organic substances such as carbohydrates and amino acids, which originate from photosynthesis. These dissolved substances are crucial for marine life. Human activities, like pollution and increased carbon dioxide emissions, are impacting ocean chemistry, leading to issues like ocean acidification and warming.354