In Memoriam - Wally Broecker

Science has lost a giant. Wally Broecker of Lamont Doherty, Columbia University has passed away. In a career that spanned 6 decades, he was a pioneer in many aspects of what is done today in oceanography and climate science. Often called the grandfather of climate science, it was he who came up with the term "ocean conveyor belt". But his contributions go well beyond that. He pioneered techniques such as using isotopes to identify sources of molecules and atoms as well as to using radionuclides and radioisotopes to trace mass water movement in the ocean. He used isotopes to help recreate past climate conditions including levels of CO2, temperatures. In essence, he founded the field of paleoclimate. His seminal work, the 1982 "Tracers In The Sea" is still cited in today's research papers. He really helped bring together the field of chemical oceanography. His contributions to science are enormous, widespread and can never be overstated. RIP Wally. You did very well.