INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHYINTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY

A. Suryachandra RaoA. Suryachandra RaoIndian Institute of Tropical MeteorologyIndian Institute of Tropical Meteorology

Reading MaterialReading Material

Only 4 lectures, hence complete book will not be coveredOnly 4 lectures, hence complete book will not be coveredPower point presentations will be self explanatory with Power point presentations will be self explanatory with notes included notes included

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

What is Oceanography?What is Oceanography?

Oceanus Oceanus = ocean= oceangraphosgraphos = the description of = the description of

Oceanography = the description of the Oceanography = the description of the oceanocean

Oceanus Oceanus = ocean= oceanlogoslogos = the study of = the study of

Oceanology = the science of the Oceanology = the science of the oceanocean

Originally accurate, but now much more…Originally accurate, but now much more…

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

Some additional confusion of terms:Some additional confusion of terms:

Oceans vs. ocean?Oceans vs. ocean?

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

Mid-Atlantic Mid-Atlantic RidgeRidge

Ocean’s deepest spotOcean’s deepest spot

Earth’s highest mountainEarth’s highest mountain

Pacific Ocean Basin, Earth’s Pacific Ocean Basin, Earth’s largest featurelargest feature

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

Some ocean factoids:Some ocean factoids:Oceans cover 70.8% of earth’ surfaceOceans cover 70.8% of earth’ surface

SizeSizeAtlantic -Atlantic - 33,429,000 mi33,429,000 mi22 (29.4% of ocean) (29.4% of ocean)Pacific - 64,186,300 miPacific - 64,186,300 mi22 (50%) (50%)Indian - 28,350,500 miIndian - 28,350,500 mi22 (20.6%) (20.6%)Arctic - 5,105,700 miArctic - 5,105,700 mi22

Average DepthAverage DepthAtlantic – 12,612 ftAtlantic – 12,612 ftPacific - 12,927 ftPacific - 12,927 ftIndian - 12,598 ftIndian - 12,598 ftArctic - 3,665 ftArctic - 3,665 ft

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

Summary of the relative amount of water in various locations on Summary of the relative amount of water in various locations on or near Earth’s surface. More than 97% of the water lies in the or near Earth’s surface. More than 97% of the water lies in the ocean. Of all water at Earth’s surface, ice on land contains about ocean. Of all water at Earth’s surface, ice on land contains about 1.7%, groundwater 0.8%, rivers and lakes 0.007%, and the 1.7%, groundwater 0.8%, rivers and lakes 0.007%, and the atmosphere 0.001%.atmosphere 0.001%. NONE, as small as they may be, are NONE, as small as they may be, are unimportant!unimportant!

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to Oceanography

Introduction to OceanographyIntroduction to OceanographyOceanography (marine science) is truly anOceanography (marine science) is truly an

interdisciplinary scienceinterdisciplinary science

OceanographyOceanography

The Science or Study of the OceansThe Science or Study of the Oceans

• Geological OceanographyGeological Oceanography

• Physical OceanographyPhysical Oceanography

• Chemical OceanographyChemical Oceanography

• Biological OceanographyBiological Oceanography

Geological OceanographyGeological Oceanography

• Study of earth at edge of oceanStudy of earth at edge of ocean

• Formation processes (seafloor)Formation processes (seafloor)

• SedimentsSediments

• Rocks & mineralsRocks & minerals

• Geothermal ventsGeothermal vents

Physical OceanographyPhysical Oceanography

• How & why oceans moveHow & why oceans move

• WeatherWeather

• Heat transferHeat transfer

• Water cyclesWater cycles

• Waves, tides, currentsWaves, tides, currents

• TemperatureTemperature

Chemical OceanographyChemical Oceanography

• Composition & history of seawaterComposition & history of seawater

• Seawater processes & interactionsSeawater processes & interactions

• SalinitySalinity

• Dissolved gasesDissolved gases

• NutrientsNutrients

Biological OceanographyBiological Oceanography

• Living organismsLiving organisms

• Organisms relationships with each other Organisms relationships with each other and their environmentand their environment

Marine Sediments (geological)Marine Sediments (geological)

created by created by

Living Organisms (biological)Living Organisms (biological)

That are influenced byThat are influenced by

Nutrients (chemical) Nutrients (chemical)

and and

Currents & Temperature (physical)Currents & Temperature (physical)

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Why is Oceanography important?

• The importance of the oceans to physical climate, food supplies and biological stability

• An extra dimension to human activity

And……….

• Long-term habitability of Earth

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A Young Science

• Although oceanography is a relatively young science

• It is the natural setting to ask fundamental questions about the development of life, and the behavior (or misbehavior) of global climate

Ocean Surface Circulation

The global “conveyor belt”The global “conveyor belt”

What role do the oceans play in the climate What role do the oceans play in the climate system?system?

•The oceans are important for our current climateThe oceans are important for our current climate

What role do the oceans play in the climate What role do the oceans play in the climate system?system?

•The oceans are important for our current climateThe oceans are important for our current climate