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Oceans, Chemical Evolution of

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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology

Definition

The chemical composition of the ocean corresponds to the composition of its major and minor dissolved ions (Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Sr2+, Cl−, SO4 2− HCO3−, Br−, CO23−, B3+,4+, F−). The major ion content is considered relatively constant and defined as salinity, which is a measure of the total dissolved salts in seawater. The chemical evolution of the terrestrial oceans is controlled by complex interactions between the Earth system reservoirs, namely the geosphere (mantle and crusts), the biosphere, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere itself.

Overview

Ocean Chemistry: The Result of Complex Interactions in the Earth System

Table 1resume the average chemical composition of the Earth’s modern oceans with the concentrations of the main ions dissolved in the seawater (in mol/g) and corresponding to an average salinity of 35 g/L (or ca 35,000 ppm, being the density of water equal to 1.025 kg/L). Salinity in the present oceans is relatively constant, between 31 and 38 g/L, yet...

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    Chapter  Google Scholar 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geotop, Research Centre for the Dynamics of the Earth system, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada

    Daniele L. Pinti

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  1. Daniele L. Pinti
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Correspondence to Daniele L. Pinti .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Pessac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  2. Department of Astronomy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA

    William M. Irvine

  3. Centro Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Univ. Autónoma de Madrid Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  4. Analytical-, Environm., Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VUB, Brussels, Belgium

    Philippe Claeys

  5. Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, WASHINGTON, DC, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  6. Radio Astronomy, Paris Observatory, Paris, France

    Maryvonne Gerin

  7. Observatoire de Paris-Meudon, Meudon, France

    Daniel Rouan

  8. International Space Science Institute, Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Tilman Spohn

  9. Centre Francois Viète, Universite de Nantes, Nantes, France

    Stéphane Tirard

  10. Innovaxiom, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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Pinti, D.L. (2022). Oceans, Chemical Evolution of. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1041-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1041-5

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Oceans, Chemical Evolution of
    Published:
    03 August 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1041-5

  2. Original

    Ocean, Chemical Evolution of
    Published:
    05 May 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1041-4

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