This course will cover the fundamentals and applications of equilibrium aquatic chemistry to seawater and freshwater environments including the following topics:

• Ocean acidification by anthropogenic CO2 and its impact on marine organisms
• The chemistry of the prebiotic ocean and that of hypothesized oceans on other planets
• The role of metals and metal speciation in limiting biological production and toxicity
• The redox sequence in sediments, water columns and ground water

We will cover basic concepts in chemical thermodynamics, activity corrections at high ionic strength, acid-base reactions, metal ion complexation reactions, oxidation/reduction reactions, basic kinetics and box models, mineral nucleation and crystal growth. Students will acquire proficiency in setting up and solving quantitative equilibrium problems by hand and through the use of numerical methods. This graduate course is designed for all students that are interested in environmental aquatic chemistry including SAFS, ESS, Oceanography, Chemistry, and Atmospheric Sciences, as well as the Programs on Astrobiology and Climate Change.

The text will be sections from Stumm and Morgan (3rd edition) and outside readings.

Instructors: Alex Gagnon (OCN)(3-5627) gagnon@uw.edu

Note: Ocean 520 is not a prerequisite this year. If you have trouble registering for the course, please email mtown@uw.edu and provide your student number.