Around Buzzards Bay to a World of Ocean Science: A Personal Perspective

Abstract

Reading books, a chemistry set, living by the sea, and a chance attendance by John Farrington at a seminar led to doctor of philosophy studies in ocean sciences at the Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, with a focus on organic chemicals in estuarine ecosystems. An unexpected discovery of a chronic oil pollution problem during these studies set a course for a career of research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution focused on the biogeochemistry of biogenic organic chemicals and organic chemicals of environmental concern such as oil chemicals and polychlorinated biphenyls. This involved cruises to deep open ocean, continental margin, and coastal ecosystems. Several times, the research was influenced by unexpected observations opening important avenues of inquiry. Details of portions of the ocean carbon cycle, especially water column particles and surface sediments, were unraveled. Environmental quality‐related research led to activities at the science‐policy interface. These laboratory group efforts have been recognized by my election as a fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, among other recognitions.