Scripps Scientist Edward Goldberg

Scripps Loses an Ocean Science Legend

Geochemist Ed Goldberg was a "scientific humanitarian"

Some of the world's brightest minds in ocean and earth science walk the halls and inhabit the labs at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. Every now and then an extraordinary researcher with a spark in his eye - and a lusty sense of humor - comes along and brightens the world just a little bit more. Scripps marine chemist Ed Goldberg was one such soul.

The marine science world lost a colorful legend on March 7 when Ed Goldberg passed away. He was 86.

In 1949, with his newly acquired Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago, Edward D. Goldberg began his career at Scripps Oceanography. His Chicago mentor, Harrison Brown, influenced Goldberg to work on geochemistry, but Goldberg also was intrigued by Brown's interests beyond science; they shared a deep concern for the problems of mankind - survival, food supply, population, and disease. Goldberg focused his long career at Scripps, spanning more than 50 years, on marine science as well as myriad complex environmental problems facing the world. He was a great champion for the ocean and for the environment.

In the 1970s Goldberg and his colleagues initiated studies of lead in the marine environment that were groundbreaking and influential. In the 1980s, Goldberg became concerned with reports of decimation in the oyster fishery and other shellfish near marinas. Goldberg sampled water in California harbors and identified the problem as tributyltin, a toxic chemical then routinely added as an antifouling agent to marine paints by the U.S. Navy and the marine commercial industry. Goldberg's work persuaded the U.S. Navy to eliminate the chemical, and his work was instrumental in setting new environmental standards for harbors.

In 1975 he initiated the Mussel Watch, a surveillance program on U.S. coastal marine pollution for the Environmental Protection Agency. The program was designed to monitor the key properties of pollutants that were challenging the integrity of marine waters and led to additional contaminant monitoring programs in U.S. coastal waters.

Goldberg earned the reputation not only as an extraordinary marine chemist and seagoing scientist, but also as an engaging professor who truly inspired his students. He taught the next generation, then the next generation after that, of marine scientists.

According to Scripps Director Tony Haymet, "Ed Goldberg was always willing to tackle the tough issues facing the marine environment and our harbors and seas are better off because of his enduring dedication and commitment."

Beyond science, Goldberg enjoyed the world of culture and adventure, including a passion for world travel, fine feasts, and time to share with those around him.

According to his friend and Scripps colleague Doug Inman, "Ed was a connoisseur of good wine, good food, and live theater -- particularly on the London stage. Above all, Ed was the kind of scientific humanitarian that the world so badly needs."

Cindy Clark

April 2008