General course objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students with an introduction to aspects of marine chemistry that are relevant for non-chemists. This includes an understanding of the major constituents of seawater and the marine biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and silicate. In addition students will learn to sample seawater and measure dissolved constituents in the laboratory. The course aims to provide students with knowledge necessary to contribute to aspects of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14-Life below water, by covering the mechanism behind ocean acidification and eutrophication.
Content
- Major and minor constituents of seawater.
- Gas solubility and exchange with atmosphere.
- The influence of the production and mineralization of organic matter on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous speciation in seawater.
- Chemical constituents as indicators of water mass mixing.
- Coastal eutrophication.
Learning outcomes
A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
- Outline the standard units and measures used for dissolved gases, compounds and ions in seawater and be able to convert between them.
- List the major constituents of seawater and explain their spatial and temporal distributions in the oceans with respect to major sources, turnover and sinks.
- Calculate the solubility of gasses in seawater and rates of air-sea exchange.
- Describe what controls the production and mineralization of organic matter in the oceans and the subsequent impact on carbon and nutrient speciation and distribution.
- Outline the marine carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicate cycles.
- Recognize and communicate how eutrophication influences water quality with focus on oxygen depletion and nutrient biogeochemistry.
- Sample and measure concentrations of dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate and silicate in seawater and interpret the results in light of mixing and biogeochemistry.
- Illustrate how the marine carbon cycle influences and regulates global climate.
Files/Documents
ISCED Categories
Fysische en chemische oceanografie