A.E. Redfield

A.E. Redfield, or Alfred E. Redfield, was a scientist known for discovering the consistent ratio of oxygen to carbon in marine phytoplankton and ocean water, approximately 106:16:1 for oxygen, carbon, and other elements. This ratio, called the Redfield ratio, highlights a fundamental balance in ocean chemistry and biological processes, indicating that life's biochemical reactions maintain a stable elemental relationship in the ocean. It is important for understanding nutrient cycling, marine ecosystems, and global carbon exchange between the oceans and atmosphere.