Chemical oceanography allows one to fully understand the impact of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide on the oceans. Approximately 20-35% of the carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere is dissolved in the ocean where it enters the inorganic ocean carbon cycle. Understanding the interactions between the species of inorganic carbon (CO2, H2CO3, HCO3, and CO3) requires knowledge of many other factors in the ocean–pH, cations and anions, sallinity, temperature, and many other factors. Without a knowledge of ocean chemistry it is impossible to predict the impact of anthropogenic carbon on future global warming and ocean pH changes.
Chemical oceanography allows one to fully understand the impact of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide on the oceans. Approximately 20-35% of the carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere is dissolved in the ocean where it enters the inorganic ocean carbon cycle. Understanding the interactions between the species of inorganic carbon (CO2, H2CO3, HCO3, and CO3) requires knowledge of many other factors in the ocean–pH, cations and anions, sallinity, temperature, and many other factors. Without a knowledge of ocean chemistry it is impossible to predict the impact of anthropogenic carbon on future global warming and ocean pH changes.