Physical oceanography

• Identify the major components affecting seawater density, calculate it using the equation of state, and calculate its dynamic influence on fluid flow.
• Identify the major factors affecting shelf sea dynamics – inflow, winds, tides – and calculate the position of mixing fronts.
• Identify the physical processes contributing to the spring bloom.
• Describe the various instruments and technologies involved in ocean observation systems.
• Use modern software applications (Ocean Data View) to analyse oceanographic data.
• Construct and interpret box models of through-flow systems such as estuaries to examine the fate of nutrients and contaminants.
• Calculate the magnitude of geostrophic currents, Ekman pumping, and upwelling, and explain the influence of these on marine productivity.
• Explain the major features of wind driven surface circulation, atmosphere-ocean coupling, the meridional overturn circulation and their influence on climate.

Physical properties of seawater.
Oceanic heat budget.
Dynamics of density & wind driven flows, tides, and waves.
Seasonal cycles of stratification and mixing; the spring bloom and tidal mixing fronts.
Estuaries and semi-enclosed basins.
Planetary rotation, and geostrophy.
Wind driven ocean circulation
Descriptive Regional Oceanography
The meridional overturn circulation
Paleo-oceanography
Oceans and climate.

Lectures, guest lectures, computer & analytic exercises, project and excursion.

This course provides students with competences relevant to UN SDGs, particularly #13 (Climate action) and #14 (Life below water)