In the summer of 1803, Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on a journey to establish an American presence in a land of unqualified natural resources and riches. Is it fitting that, on the 200th anniversary of that expedition, the United States, together with international partners, should embark on another journey of exploration in a vastly more extensive region of remarkable ... Full description.

What can sharks teach us about our immune system? What can horseshoe crabs show us about eyesight? The more we learn about the ocean, the more we realize how critical these vast bodies of water are to our health and well-being. Sometimes the ocean helps us, as when a marine organism yields a new medical treatment. At other times, the ocean poses the threat of coastal storm surges or toxic algal ... Full description.

Since the early 1970s, experts have recognized that petroleum pollutants were being discharged in marine waters worldwide, from oil spills, vessel operations, and land-based sources. Public attention to oil spills has forced improvements. Still, a considerable amount of oil is discharged yearly into sensitive coastal environments. Oil in the Sea provides the best available estimate of oil pollutant ... Full description.

Missions by Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) teams and other naval units involved in Naval Special Warfare encompass some of the most unique and arduous challenges facing naval personnel in combat situations. Real-time decision- making is crucial, and the need for adequate and accurate environmental data is paramount for minimizing uncertainty, reducing risk, and ensuring mission success. Based on discussions ... Full description.

This resource explains how the oceans became salty. Topics include the source of the salt, how rainwater dissolves rock and carries the material away as dissolved ions, and the two most common ions in seawater. A link to additional information is also provided. Full description.

Well written and easy-to-understand primer with definition and measurements of salinity. Explains the origin of the ocean, sources of salts and processes affecting its chemical composition, including the hydrologic cycle. Introduces the complexity of salinity, many constituents of seawater, and variability of ocean salinity worldwide. Discusses the compounds that marine plants and animals extract ... Full description.

This dataset includes a broad suite of biogeochemical measurements, particularly dissolvable iron. The measurements span the time period from August 1998 to December 2004 and were taken at the most inshore station of a set of three which are maintained by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). The data show a large pulse of dissolvable iron consistently occurring during the first spring ... Full description.

Chemical Oceanography is part of the site characterization describing the physical setting of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). This site describes chemical sources, chemical sinks, and water column characteristics and processes in MBNMS, including nutrients, trace metals, and organics. There is also a page of selected resources for additional information. Full description.

This reference discusses the composition and chemistry of seawater, and how they affect organisms in the sea. Topics include salinity, temperature, density, dissolved gases, dissolved nutrients, and pH. Full description.

This essay with a field journal focus reports on a family vacation to the Dead Sea, where the saltiness of the water made it difficult to keep their feet underwater. The reasons for the salinity level of this sea, along with what scientists do and do not know about why the ocean is so salty is also included in the essay. There is also an overview of the importance of salt to humans and the chemistry ... Full description.