Marine Chemistry, 10 (1981) 365 365 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands

Obituary

KLAUS GRASSHOFF (1932 - - 1981)

The worldwide communi ty of marine scientists suffered a grievous shock on March 11, 1981, when Klaus Grasshoff, Dr. rer. nat., Professor and Chair- man of the Department of Marine Chemistry of the Institute for Marine Research at Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, G.F.R., died after a short but violent illness at the age of 48 years.

Klaus Grasshoff was a prominent figure in marine science. An inorganic chemist, he joined the institute in 1961. From small beginnings he started to assemble a department which, animated by his energetic and inspired leader- ship, made significant contributions to the development of marine chem- istry. Among his major scientific endeavours were investigations on the spatial and temporal variability of inorganic nutrients and the concentrat ion of dissolved gases such as oxygen, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.

When the AutoAnalyzer system for continuous automated chemical analy- ses was introduced in clinical chemistry, he recognized immediately its potential for application in marine chemistry. His diverse modifications and improvements made the system a powerful tool for continuous trace nutri- ent analyses which is now used successfully by many laboratories. He had the satisfaction, in the last year of his all-too-short life, of seeing his system instrumental in the detection of chemical anomalies of such a magnitude within less than one nautical mile as to render interpretations of chemical analyses based on discrete samples unreliable at best.

These results were obtained from analyses of Baltic Sea water, and it was the chemistry of this unusual, and in many ways unique, sea area that ranked topmos t on the long list of his personal interests. He had a substantial influ- ence in the creation cff the Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Baltic Sea Area, aided in this activity by his many personal friends among marine chemists of all countries bordering the Baltic Sea. His strong impulse to foster the international cooperat ion of marine scientists was no t confined to the Baltic Sea area. He was a member, of ten chairman, of numerous national and international scientific committees and one of the founding editors of Marine Chemistry and other scientific journals. The t ex tbook "Methods of Seawater Analysis", edited by Klaus Grasshoff, has found a wide and well-earned acceptance.

His various activities took him to countries in all parts of the world. He was scientific advisor for the development of marine chemistry in Thailand, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

Klaus' sudden and premature decease at the height of his career is a tragic loss, bu t his memory will continue to inspire his many friends and colleagues.

M. EHRHARDT (Kiel, G.F.R.)