Mass spectrometry oceanography

Mass spectrometry (MS) has traditionally played a major role in both the chemical and geological subdisciplines of oceanographic research, but more recently has been introduced into the field of biological oceanography. It has also been used to a limited extent in physical oceanography, primarily for carbon dating and ocean circulation experiments that use 14C tracers. The advent of in situ mass spectrometers... 

Future developments in Accelerator Mass Spectrometry might enable development of Ar to a routine tool in oceanography. If the technical difficulties in measuring this noble gas isotope on small water samples can be mastered, it would offer a unique tool for studies of ocean circulation on time scales ranging from decades to the order of one thousand years, a good match for mean residence times of intermediate and deep waters (e.g., Loosli 1989). 

Lastly, noble gas geochemists need a broad range of other skills in order to make progress. They have to be good at mass spectrometry as already stated. However, nowadays they also need to be able to understand fields as different as mantle geochemistry, stellar evolution, cosmochemistry, crustal fluids, oceanography and glaciology. They are kind of Renaissance individuals. 

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