Evolution, chemical oceanography

Mackenzie F.T. (1975) Sedimentary cycling and the evolution of seawater. In Chemical Oceanography, 2nd edition, Volume 1 (eds. J.P. Riley and G. Skirrow), pp. 309-364. Academic Press, London. 

Figure 1. The evolution of chemical oceanography, 1884-1984, Oceanic fronts are characterized by areas of enhanced biological activity—the major process by which the chemistry of the upper ocean varies on a short time...

Because the science of chemical oceanography is focused on distributions of chemical constituents in the sea, its evolution has been controlled to some extent by anal5dical developments. It is not our goal to dwell on analytical methods however, discoveries of new mechanisms and processes often follow the development of better techniques to make accurate measurements. Probably the most recent example has been the evolution of a variety of mass spectrometers capable of precisely determining extremely low concentrations of metals, isotopes on individual organic compounds, and atmospheric gas ratios on small samples. There have been a host of other breakthroughs that are too numerous to mention that have had a great influence on our ability to interpret the ocean s secrets. 

Schwartz, A.W. (1981) Chapter 2, Chemical evolution the genesis of the first organic compounds, in Marine Organic Chemistry, vol. 31 (eds E.K. Duursma and R. Dawson), Elsevier Oceanography Series, pp. 7-30. 

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