Ocean chemistry

Key Takeaways

Understanding ocean chemistry is critical because changes in the water can ripple through marine life and, in turn, human life.
Key concerns include ocean acidification, oxygen-depleted ‘dead zones,’ and the cycling of nutrients that fuel marine ecosystems.
WHOI research measures how a warming, carbon-loaded ocean is changing chemically and what that means for the future.

The chemistry of seawater governs whether marine life — and the people who depend on it — can thrive. As the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and heat, its chemistry is shifting, and WHOI scientists track those changes to understand their consequences for ecosystems and human communities.

Ocean chemistry is the study of the elements and compounds that make up seawater and the chemical processes that shape life in the ocean. It explores how key elements — such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen — move through the ocean and interact with the atmosphere, marine life, the seafloor, and even the planet's geology.

These chemical processes help regulate Earth's climate, fuel marine ecosystems, and influence the health of our planet. For example, the ocean absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But as more carbon dioxide enters the sea, it changes the water's chemistry - a phenomenon known as ocean acidification — which can harm corals, shellfish, and other marine organisms. In some areas, excess nutrients cause algal blooms that can exhaust oxygen levels in the water, leading to "dead zones" where few animals can survive.

Oceanographers study ocean chemistry to understand how the ocean works, how it's changing, and what those changes mean for the environment and people.

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