Redfield, Alfred -

(1890-1983): American oceanographer. He made major contributions to the understanding of the chemistry and fertility of the ocean. In particular, he is known for establishing the major patterns of composition in phytoplankton and demonstrating that the ratios of the main elements in marine organic matter are similar to those in seawater. Redfield wrote on physical oceanography, including tides, and he also wrote on the effects that deep circulation in the oceans has on the major patterns of nutrient chemistry of the ocean.