This course is designed for first-year graduate students majoring in earth/ocean science, as well as undergraduate juniors and seniors with a basic background in chemistry.

The course primarily focuses on the ocean's role in the global biogeochemical cycling of elements, with special attention given to the impact of human activities on the transport of these elements within these cycles. We will begin by covering basic ocean chemistry, followed by an exploration of the concept of global geochemical cycles based on water/rock interactions. The discussion will then delve into nutrient and trace metal cycling, emphasizing redox reactions and the biologically mediated oxidation of organic matter. Steady-state models will be employed to explain the global distribution of these components in the oceans.

We will also examine the role of sediment in shaping ocean chemical composition, considering both equilibrium and kinetic perspectives. The course will touch upon marine chemistry related to radioactive and stable isotopes.

This course aims to provide young marine scientists with a foundation in the fundamental concepts of ocean chemistry, while offering a global perspective on the subject. There are no prerequisites for enrollment, but a background in basic chemistry (e.g., Chemistry 101) is preferred.