An Introduction to the Chemistry of the Sea

by Michael E. Q. Pilson

Overview

Fully updated and expanded, this new edition provides students with an accessible introduction to marine chemistry. It highlights geochemical interactions between the ocean, solid earth, atmosphere and climate, enabling students to appreciate the interconnectedness of Earth's processes and systems and elucidates the huge variations in the oceans' chemical environment, from surface waters to deep water. Written in a clear, engaging way, the book provides students in oceanography, marine chemistry and biogeochemistry with the fundamental tools they need for a strong understanding of ocean chemistry. Appendices present information on seawater properties, key equations and constants for calculating oceanographic processes. New to this edition are end-of-chapter problems for students to put theory into practice, summaries to allow easy review of material and a comprehensive glossary. Supporting online resources include solutions to problems and figures from the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521887076
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/13/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	533
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Michael E. Q. Pilson is Emeritus Professor of Oceanography at the Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island and has taught a course on chemical oceanography for most of the past 40 years. For some years, he directed the Marine Ecosystems Research Laboratory at Rhode Island, conducting experimental study of biogeochemistry in shallow coastal waters. Professor Pilson has published around 90 papers on chemical, physical, biological, ecological and geological aspects of oceanography and has advised students in chemical and biological areas. His broad range of experience has shaped his oceanography course to be accessible and interesting to students with diverse backgrounds, interests and professional goals.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The water in seawater; 3. Salinity, chlorinity, conductivity, and density; 4. Major constituents of seawater; 5. Simple gases; 6. Salts in solution; 7. Carbon dioxide; 8. Nutrients; 9. Trace metals and other minor elements; 10. Radioactive clocks; 11. Organic matter in the sea; 12. Anoxic marine environments; 13. Exchanges at the boundaries; 14. Chemical extraction of useful substances from the sea; 15. Geochemical history of the oceans; Appendix A. The chemical elements; Appendix B. Symbols, units, and nomenclature; Appendix C. Physical properties of seawater; Appendix D. Gases; Appendix E. Carbon dioxide; Appendix F. Dissociation constants and pH scales; Appendix G. Solubility of calcium carbonate; Appendix H. Effects of pressure; Appendix I. Radioactive decay; Appendix J. Geochemical reservoirs, and some rates; Appendix K. Sound absorption; Glossary; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

This second edition is a welcome updating of Pilson's classic text. The book treats the broad range of aspects of marine chemistry for advanced undergraduates and graduate students, but even seasoned researchers will find it a valuable resource. The inclusion of a historical perspective throughout the book is particularly useful.”
J. Kirk Cochran, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University

“Contains an enormous wealth of information, presenting marine chemistry in a way that even non-chemists will be able to grasp. Pilson has taken great care to explain the basics as well as the state-of-the-art. It is a book that any marine scientist (from undergraduate through to professor) will benefit from having close to hand.”
David Thomas, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University; UK and Finnish Environment Institute, Marine Research Centre, Helsinki; Finland and Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark

“This book is unique and clearly presented: not just a textbook for courses on ocean chemistry, but definitely a great reference book for coastal ecosystems and freshwater bodies as well.”
Yushun Chen, Director of Environmental Quality and Ecosystems Health Research Laboratory, Aquaculture and Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas

“This new edition of Pilson’s classic textbook has been brought up to date with regard to the latest analytical techniques and scientific insights of modern marine chemistry. With its broad scope and light narrative style it will likely remain the foundation of many excellent graduate and advanced undergraduate courses for years to come.”
Johan Schijf, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science/Chesapeake Biological Laboratory

"… an excellent overview of the field of marine chemistry … The extensive appendixes provide useful basic information on diverse subjects. Highly recommended."
M. W. Han, Choice

"… offers a comprehensive and accessible foundation for studying the chemistry of the sea, and it likely will become a standard textbook for introductory chemical oceanography courses, as well as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the topic. Pilson has succeeded in his hope to provide an "overview of the whole field of marine chemistry" that "will be helpful to all who care to know something of the marine world"."
Ana Aguilar-Islas, Oceanography

From the Publisher

A textbook for an introductory graduate course for students of oceanography. Assumes no advanced knowledge of chemistry, and strives to be accessible to majors in most any natural science who have been exposed to chemistry, physics, biology, and a bit of geology. Can be used to broaden the knowledge base of marine scientists in general, or as a base from which professional marine chemists can rise to specialized studies. Carbon dioxide is covered in considerable detail. The history of the subject is reviewed if Pilson (oceanography, U. of Rhode Island) finds it interesting or illuminating. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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