Andrew Watson (scientist)
Encyclopedia
Andrew James Watson FRS is a British marine and atmospheric scientist and an expert in processes affecting atmospheric carbon dioxide
and oxygen
concentrations. He is currently a Professor of biogeochemistry
in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia
.
. He and colleagues applied these to measure the slow mixing vertical rates in the ocean, and to trace the movement of patches of surface water. He also applied the technology to enable iron fertilization
experiments. More than a dozen such experiments have now been carried out and have proved that iron is an essential limiting nutrient in important areas of the world ocean.
, originator of the Gaia hypothesis
of Earth regulation. He and Lovelock introduced Daisyworld
—a simple model showing how environmental regulation can arise from organisms interacting with their environment. Watson and his students have subsequently developed a priori models for the regulation of atmospheric composition through geological time. He has applied the weak Anthropic Principle
to evolution on Earth, suggesting that long-term regulation of the Earth’s temperature and environment may be a necessary pre-requisite to allow sufficient time for the evolution of complex life and intelligence, rather than an intrinsic property of the biosphere as Lovelock proposed.
in 2011.
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
and oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
concentrations. He is currently a Professor of biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry is the scientific discipline that involves the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment...
in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
.
Tracing ocean waters
While at the Marine Biological Association and Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the 1980s, he developed techniques for tracking ocean water bodies using tracers such as sulphur hexafluoride and perfluorodecalinPerfluorodecalin
Perfluorodecalin is a fluorocarbon, a derivative of decalin in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms. It is chemically and biologically inert, and stable up to 400°C. Several applications make use of its ability to dissolve gases....
. He and colleagues applied these to measure the slow mixing vertical rates in the ocean, and to trace the movement of patches of surface water. He also applied the technology to enable iron fertilization
Iron fertilization
Iron fertilization is the intentional introduction of iron to the upper ocean to stimulate a phytoplankton bloom. This is intended to enhance biological productivity, which can benefit the marine food chain and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Iron is a trace element necessary for...
experiments. More than a dozen such experiments have now been carried out and have proved that iron is an essential limiting nutrient in important areas of the world ocean.
Regulation of the Earth Environment
Watson was a PhD student of James LovelockJames Lovelock
James Lovelock, CH, CBE, FRS is an independent scientist, environmentalist and futurologist who lives in Devon, England. He is best known for proposing the Gaia hypothesis, which postulates that the biosphere is a self-regulating entity with the capacity to keep our planet healthy by controlling...
, originator of the Gaia hypothesis
Gaia hypothesis
The Gaia hypothesis, also known as Gaia theory or Gaia principle, proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on Earth are closely integrated to form a single and self-regulating complex system, maintaining the conditions for life on the planet.The scientific investigation of the...
of Earth regulation. He and Lovelock introduced Daisyworld
Daisyworld
Daisyworld, a computer simulation, is a hypothetical world orbiting a star whose radiant energy is slowly increasing. It is meant to mimic important elements of the Earth-Sun system, and was introduced by James Lovelock and Andrew Watson in a paper published in 1983 to illustrate the plausibility...
—a simple model showing how environmental regulation can arise from organisms interacting with their environment. Watson and his students have subsequently developed a priori models for the regulation of atmospheric composition through geological time. He has applied the weak Anthropic Principle
Anthropic principle
In astrophysics and cosmology, the anthropic principle is the philosophical argument that observations of the physical Universe must be compatible with the conscious life that observes it. Some proponents of the argument reason that it explains why the Universe has the age and the fundamental...
to evolution on Earth, suggesting that long-term regulation of the Earth’s temperature and environment may be a necessary pre-requisite to allow sufficient time for the evolution of complex life and intelligence, rather than an intrinsic property of the biosphere as Lovelock proposed.
Popular Publications
Professor Watson published the popular book Revolutions that Made the Earth with colleague Tim LentonTim Lenton
-References:...
in 2011.