The marine chemistry research program is based largely on chemical analysis of samples from a variety of marine environments.  Ongoing projects include measurements of salinity (chlorinity), pH, alkalinity and several nutrients (such as phosphate and silica) in the Great Bay-Mullica River estuary. Redox potential and sulfate reduction to sulfide has been monitored in the past at several hypoxic or anoxic sites in the Bay. These and other projects are planned on a semester-by-semester basis.

The marine chemistry program also works on seawater aquarium chemistry and general physical and chemical modeling of closed seawater systems. Such systems (e.g. aquaria and mariculture facilities) have a choice of employing natural seawater or preparing their own, artificial seawater. Those that use artificial seawater - such as Adventure Aquarium in Camden - find it is more economical than transporting large quantities of uncontaminated ambient seawater to the facility. Managing these additions such that ion concentrations are in the same basic proportions as in natural seawater requires regular monitoring and modeling of these environments.

Faculty and student research projects

• Chemical and Nutrient Trends Along a Salinity Gradient
• Water Quality in the Bass River Borrow-Pit Depression

For more information on the Marine Chemistry program, contact Dr. Gordan Grguric.

 

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Water quality data is collected during a sampling trip, Great Bay, NJ (Photo Credit: Steve Evert).