Introduction to Oceanography PDF

Introduction to Oceanography  What is oceanography? Oceanography is the study of the ocean – An interdisciplinary science: Geology Geography Chemistry Physics Biology Astronomy  Geological Oceanography Study of earth at edge of ocean Form...

Introduction to Oceanography  What is oceanography? Oceanography is the study of the ocean – An interdisciplinary science: Geology Geography Chemistry Physics Biology Astronomy  Geological Oceanography Study of earth at edge of ocean Formation processes (seafloor) Sediments Rocks & minerals Geothermal vents  Physical Oceanography How & why oceans move Weather Heat transfer Water cycles Waves, tides, currents Temperature  Chemical Oceanography Composition & history of seawater Seawater processes & interactions Salinity Dissolved gases Nutrients  Biological Oceanography Living organisms Organisms relationships with each other and their environment  Marine Sediments (geological) created by Living Organisms (biological) That are influenced by Nutrients (chemical) and Currents & Temperature (physical)  What is oceanography? Oceanography consists of several specialized disciplines – Marine Biology (Biological oceanography) – Chemical Oceanography – Geological Oceanography – Physical Oceanography – Marine Engineering – Marine Ecology – Marine Management  Oceanography ≠ Dolphins! Chemical Biological Oceanography Oceanography Physical Geological Oceanography Oceanography …but it is one way to unleash your inner dolphin hugger…  Got Ocean? The ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface Accounts for >97% of the Earth’s water! The average depth of the ocean is 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) and at its deepest depth is 7,000 ft greater than the highest elevation on land (Mt. Everest 29,000 ft; Mariana Trench 36,163 ft) The average temperature of the ocean is only 3.9 ̊C (39 ̊F)  Oceanography For our convenience, the oceans are separated into 5 named ocean basins (and many smaller seas), but they all constitute one world ocean; one great intermixing mass of saline (salty) water All oceans are, in fact, interconnected with one another  One World Ocean Pacific Ocean (the largest) Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Arctic Ocean Southern Ocean  One World Ocean Arctic Ocean Atlantic Pacific Ocean Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean http://www.gebco.net/data_and_products/gebco_world_map/images/gda_world_map_large.jpg  The Ocean’s Origins The Earth is believed to be 4.6 billion years old During the Earth’s formation, heavy (dense) metals such as iron and nickel gravitated towards the hot center in a molten state At the same time, lighter elements such as aluminum and silicon rose towards the surface, forming the Earth’s crust  The Ocean’s Origins Crust is made up of different rock types, and so is thinner and thicker in places Thick = land; thin = ocean!  The Ocean’s Origins Eventually, the young Earth cooled enough such that water vapor condensed and collected in the ocean basins As water collected, it dissolved minerals within the rocks After 20 million years of rain, the oceans were born!  Why study oceanography? ~80% of all Americans live within 1 hour of an ocean or Great Lake 100% of all Long Islanders live within 1 hour of the Atlantic Ocean 50% of the world’s population live on a coastline  Why study oceanography? We live on Long ISLAND; The ocean is our backyard!!!  Why study oceanography? Our Earth is a BLUE planet Why blue?  Why study oceanography? More than half of the oxygen we breath is produced in the ocean! http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/images/content/95573main_plankton_satellite.jpg  Why study oceanography? Oceans moderate the Earth’s climate  Why study oceanography? "Old Inlet" breach in Fire Island caused by Sandy. Photo by National Park Service Why study oceanography? Because it’s the stuff of legends (and nightmares…) Why study oceanography? Because it’s the stuff of legends (and inspirations)  Why study oceanography? So you can understand this on a deeper level http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwlZUKv57B4 Why study oceanography? Why study oceanography?  Why study oceanography? WHY NOT???!!!  Oceanography Oceanography deals with understanding the complex relationships between physics, geology, chemistry and biology Oceanography must consider the relationships between land and sea, and within the ocean itself Oceanography: The Final Frontier?