Ocean biogeochemical dynamics

Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics provides a broad theoretical framework upon which graduate students and upper-level undergraduates can formulate an understanding of the processes that control the mean concentration and distribution of biologically utilized elements and compounds in the ocean. Though it is written as a textbook, it will also be of interest to more advanced scientists as a wide-ranging synthesis of our present understanding of ocean biogeochemical processes.

The first two chapters of the book provide an introductory overview of biogeochemical and physical oceanography. The next four chapters concentrate on processes at the air-sea interface, the production of organic matter in the upper ocean, the remineralization of organic matter in the water column, and the processing of organic matter in the sediments. The focus of these chapters is on analyzing the cycles of organic carbon, oxygen, and nutrients.

The next three chapters round out the authors' coverage of ocean biogeochemical cycles with discussions of silica, dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity, and CaCO3. The final chapter discusses applications of ocean biogeochemistry to our understanding of the role of the ocean carbon cycle in interannual to decadal variability, paleoclimatology, and the anthropogenic carbon budget. The problem sets included at the end of each chapter encourage students to ask critical questions in this exciting new field. While much of the approach is mathematical, the math is at a level that should be accessible to students with a year or two of college level mathematics and/or physics.

Author Notes

Jorge L. Sarmiento is Professor of Geosciences at Princeton University. Nicolas Gruber is Associate Professor of Geophysics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Reviews 1

Choice Review

Sarmiento (geosciences, Princeton Univ.) and Gruber (geophysics, Univ. of California, Los Angeles), two leaders in the field of ocean biogeochemistry, focus on biogeochemical processes that control the chemical composition of the oceans. The book is a combination of lectures the authors have given in courses ranging from upper-division undergraduate to graduate level. Chapters are well written and cover topics on cycling of organic matter, silicate, carbon, and carbonate as well as ocean-atmosphere interactions. The last chapter addresses the anthropogenic influence on geochemical cycles and how the oceans will respond. Readers are assumed to have had at least calculus and a modest amount of training in chemistry, biology, and physical oceanography. At the end of each chapter is a set of thought-provoking questions as well as comprehension questions. Throughout, figures clearly aid in the explanation of the material presented. Overall, a work well suited to advanced readers. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals. M. E. Lenczewski Northern Illinois University

Preface xi
Chapter 1 Introduction	p. 1
1.1 Chemical Composition of the Ocean	p. 1
1.2 Distribution of Chemicals in the Ocean	p. 7
1.3 Chapter Conclusion and Outline of Book 15
Problems	p. 16
Chapter 2 Tracer Conservation and Ocean Transport	p. 19
2.1 Tracer Conservation Equation	p. 19
Advection and Diffusion Components	p. 19
Application to Box Models	p. 22
2.2 Wind-Driven Circulation	p. 23
Equations of Motion	p. 27
Ekman Transport	p. 28
Gyre Circulation	p. 30
2.3 Wind-Driven Circulation in the Stratified Ocean	p. 33
Basic Concepts	p. 34
Ocean Stratification	p. 34
Geostrophic Equations	p. 37
Gyre Circulation with Stratification	p. 37
Insights from the Potential Vorticity Distribution	p. 38
Insights from Tracers	p. 39
Insights from the Thermal Wind Relationship	p. 42
2.4 Deep Ocean Circulation	p. 46
Observations	p. 46
Models	p. 52
Summary of Deep Ocean Circulation	p. 57
2.5 Time-Varying Flows	p. 59
Mesoscale Variability	p. 60
Interannual to Decadal Variability	p. 61
Tropical Variability	p. 61
Extratropical Variability	p. 66
Problems	p. 69
Chapter 3 Air-Sea Interface	p. 73
3.1 Introduction	p. 73
3.2 Gas Solubilities	p. 75
3.3 Gas Exchange	p. 80
Stagnant Film Model	p. 81
Laboratory Studies	p. 83
Field Studies	p. 86
Gas Transfer Velocity Models	p. 89
3.4 Applications	p. 95
Problems	p. 100
Chapter 4 Organic Matter Production	p. 102
4.1 Introduction	p. 102
Nutrient Supply	p. 105
Light	p. 111
Efficiency of the Biological Pump	p. 111
Outline	p. 114
4.2 Ecosystem Processes	p. 115
Nutrients	p. 115
Composition of Organic Matter	p. 115
Limiting Nutrient	p. 117
Paradigm of Surface Ocean Nitrogen Cycling	p. 117
Phytoplankton	p. 123
Classification of Organisms	p. 123
Phytoplankton Distribution and Productivity	p. 128
Modeling Photosynthesis	p. 131
Zooplankton	p. 135
Bacteria	p. 137
4.3 Analysis of Ecosystem Behavior	p. 138
Role of Light Supply	p. 139
Classical Ecosystem Models	p. 142
N-P Model--Bottom-up Limitation	p. 142
N-P-Z Model--Top-Down Limitation	p. 144
Adding the Microbial Loop	p. 146
Multiple Size Class Ecosystem Models	p. 147
The Model	p. 147
Influence of Micronutrients	p. 149
Applications	p. 150
North Pacific versus North Atlantic	p. 152
Oligotrophic Region	p. 155
4.4 A Synthesis	p. 157
The Regeneration Loop	p. 158
The Export Pathway	p. 158
The Role of Iron	p. 160
Conclusions	p. 162
Problems	p. 168
Chapter 5 Organic Matter Export and Remineralization	p. 173
5.1 Introduction	p. 173
Nutrient and Oxygen Distributions	p. 173
Remineralizaton Reactions	p. 178
Preformed and Remineralized Components	p. 179
Dissolved and Particulate Organic Matter	p. 180
Outline	p. 181
5.2 Oxygen	p. 181
Separation of Preformed and Remineralized Components	p. 181
Deep Ocean Oxygen Utilization Rates	p. 182
Thermocline Oxygen Utilization Rates	p. 183
5.3 Nitrogen and Phosphorus	p. 186
Stoichiometric Ratios	p. 186
Phosphate	p. 188
The Nitrogen Cycle	p. 189
N* as a Tracer of Denitrification	p. 189
N* as a Tracer of N2 Fixation	p. 195
The Oceanic Nitrogen Budget	p. 196
Nitrous Oxide	p. 197
5.4 Organic Matter Cycling	p. 200
Particulate Organic Matter	p. 200
Overview	p. 200
Particle Flux	p. 203
The Role of Ballast	p. 206
Particle Remineralization	p. 207
Models of Particle Interactions	p. 209
Dissolved Organic Matter	p. 211
5.5 Models	p. 215
Model Development	p. 215
Sensitivity Studies	p. 217
Applications: Control of Oceanic Oxygen	p. 221
Problems	p. 222
Chapter 6 Remineralization and Burial in the Sediments	p. 227
6.1 Introduction	p. 227
Observations	p. 227
Sediment Properties and Processes	p. 229
Remineralization Reactions	p. 233
6.2 Sediment Diagenesis Models	p. 236
Pore Waters	p. 237
Solids	p. 241
6.3 Remineralization	p. 245
Oxic Sediments	p. 246
Anoxic Sediments	p. 250
Dissolved Organic Carbon	p. 253
6.4 Burial	p. 255
The Substrate	p. 255
The Oxidant	p. 256
Protection by Mineral Adsorption	p. 257
Synthesis	p. 258
6.5 Organic Matter Budget	p. 260
Problems	p. 267
Chapter 7 Silicate Cycle	p. 270
7.1 Int

Available:*

On Order

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews 1

Choice Review

Table of Contents