Includes bibliographical references.

Part I of this book deals with the physical chemistry of aqueous electrolytic solutions using seawater and related systems as examples whenever possible. Part II presents materials tradionally described as chemical oceanography but hopefully in a more coherent and orderly manner than hitherto. Part III attempts to give a systematic presentation of this information, with particular attention to the basic principles involved. Part IV is a selection of topics which could not be injected elsewhere without disrupting the development of ideas but which the author feels are too important to omit.