ABSTRACT

Seawater consists of a complex mixture of inorganic salts, atmospheric gases, small amounts of particulate matter, and traces of organic matter. As noted by Millero, 1 seawater components can be subdivided into four phases:

Solids (material that does not pass through a 0.45 µm filter)

Particulate organic material (plant detritus)

Particulate inorganic material (minerals)

Gases

Conservative (N2, Ar, Xe)

Nonconservative (O2 and CO2)

Colloids (passes through a 0.45 µm filter, but is not dissolved)

Organic (complex sugars)

Inorganic (iron hydroxides)

Dissolved solutes

Inorganic solutes

Major (>1 ppm)

Minor (<1 ppm)

Organic solutes 1