This course examines the critical environmental challenges shaping the Earth today. It focuses on the biogeochemical cycles of key pollutants—particularly carbon and nitrogen—tracing their movement through the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Students will explore the processes that regulate seawater and atmospheric composition, the dynamic exchanges between the ocean, atmosphere, and solid Earth, and the role of marine organisms in these systems. Special emphasis is placed on the transformations of the carbon and nitrogen cycles in the Anthropocene and their implications for global environmental change.

College Chemistry
College Biology

(1) two examinations (40%)
(2) Reports (25%)
(3) Paper presentation (15%)
(4) Group Discussion (20%)

(1) M.E. Pilson, An Introduction to the Chemistry of the Sea, Prentice Hall, 1998.
(1) J.P. Riley & R. Chester, "Introduction to Marine Chemistry", Academic Press, 1981.(2) W.S. Broecker & T.-S. Peng, "Tracers in the Sea", Columbia University, 1982.

Topic 1: Origin of the Earth and ingredients for life
Topic 2: Habitable Earth
Topic 3: Venus versus Earth
Topic 4: Complex Earth systems
Topic 5: Atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide-Measure of Earth biosphere
Topic 6: Gas exchange processes at the air-water interface
Topic 7: Seawater compositions (Major and minor components)
Topic 8: Gases other than carbon dioxide
Topic 9: Marine carbonate system
Topic 10: Fossil-fuel carbon dioxide in the ocean
Topic 11: Nutrients for life
Topic 12: Organic matter in the ocean
Topic 13: Radioisotopes-environmental applications
Topic 14: Stable isotopes-environmental applications
Topic 15: Large-scale earth processes