Introduction to the Marine Environment from Physical and Chemical Perspectives

Abstract

The oceans and the atmosphere exchange heat, salt, water, and momentum, and most physical andchemical processes in the oceans result from this interaction. Winds blowing over the ocean transfer energy to the surface layers allowing for the development of ocean currents. Solar radiation can evaporate water, removing heat from the ocean that is transferred to the atmosphere when water vapor is condensed into clouds. Evaporation and freezing, both resulting from the ocean-atmosphere interaction, turn liquid water saltier, but rainfall dilutes the salt concentration of the surface ocean. As mentioned, there are many feedback mechanisms between the oceans and the atmosphere. In the next sections, we will introduce some of the physical and chemical properties of the marine environment that result from the ocean atmosphere coupling and are relevant for marine life. Our coverage of these topics is by no means exhaustive, nor at length, but rather aiming to provide the basics anyone interested in marine biology should be familiar with. Those readers interested in more thorough and quantitative treatments of these topics should refer to specific oceanography and biogeochemistry textbooks.