The Ocean Chemistry Division (OCD) is a part of the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) together with the Physical Oceanography Division and Hurricane Research Division. The diverse Ocean Chemistry Division scientific staff is comprised not only of chemical oceanographers and atmospheric chemists but also biological and physical oceanographers. OCD typically employs multi-disciplinary approaches to solve scientific research questions central to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mission requirements. The division's research includes projects that are important both in enhancing our basic understanding of the coupled atmospheric/ocean system but also in assessing the current and future effects of human activities on the coastal and oceanic environments.
Research Focus
- The near real-time monitoring, modeling, and reporting of physical environmental conditions on coral reefs;
- The oceanographic and coastal environmental factors that influence public health and coastal biota;
- The effect of environmental factors on the South Florida coastal biology;
- The ocean's role in controlling atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2);
- The study of environmental microbiology using traditional microbiology and cutting-edge molecular technologies with a focus on coastal water quality;
These studies have important applications to ecosystems and global climate change. To learn more about our work, please click the links on the left or the pictures on the right.
Highlighted Research
Microbes help control the flow of energy and matter on the planet. They cycle nutrients, decompose pollutants, control the composition of the atmosphere, and produce medicines. Microbes also degrade water quality and cause infections in humans, protected species, and critical habitats such as coral reefs. The OCD Environmental Microbiology Laboratory uses traditional microbiology and cutting-edge molecular techniques for a variety of projects with a focus on coastal water quality. Applications of work include the following: provide new understanding of biodiversity to aid exploration and stewardship, improve evaluation of baseline and changed ecosystem function, and help stakeholders manage and mitigate contamination issues to protect health and economies. Click here to learn more about the AOML Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (NOAA Science Day Presentation, January 30, 2013). [pdf]
Highlighted Publications
Upcoming Seminars
- No seminars scheduled at this moment