Oceanography >> The World Ocean >> What is Oceanography?
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1.1 - What is Oceanography?
Objectives:
- To understand that oceanography is the study of the oceans and their interactions with the land and atmosphere.
- To understand that ocean science is a mixture of biology, chemistry, physics, geography, geology and many other disciplines.
- To know the names and locations of the world's oceans.
Simply put, oceanography is the study of the oceans. The science encompasses all of the branches of science that you have met so far; biology, chemistry, physics, geology, environmental science as well as such diverse subjects as engineering, economics, poetry, history and politics. They even form an aspect of the world of reinsurance. In this course we will focus on the physical and chemical aspects of the world's oceans, how we can measure important quantities and their effect on the world's weather and climate system.
How many oceans are there? Well.... this is not as a trivial a question as it first seems. The answer varies depending on context. For many scientists there is only one ocean - the world ocean, for others there are four - the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans. Others prefer the old romantic notion of the seven seas - North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, Arctic and the Southern oceans. What is the difference between a 'sea' and an 'ocean'? Obvious answer here is sheer size. Other definitions have included that seas are areas that are bounded - although the Sargasso Sea to the SE of Bermuda breaks that rule. The answer is probably just size, local names and history. The name 'ocean' came originally from the name a massive river that encircled the world in Greek mythology. As the sailors left the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar, they saw an endless sea that had a noticeable current following to the south, they assumed that it was a vast river.
Why study the oceans? This a huge question. There are many reasons that we should devote time and effort to learning how the ocean works. In the beginning it was to assist navigators in crossing the oceans and building ports, but as time progressed mankind has realised that the oceans are more than just a highway or barrier but a vast source of life (food). Further studies revealed that the oceans also have a major part to play in the world's energy transfer systems of weather and climate, and if the oceans were to change their behaviour, that this would have a knock on effect on the climate and our lifestyles.
Biology
The ocean is teaming with a huge variety of life, from coastal waters, open oceans and even in the abyssal deep ocean. Understanding how these species travel and interact with each other has a key role to play in the world's ecosystem and food webs.
Chemistry
Water is a powerful solvent and the oceans contain many dissolved minerals and chemicals. Changes in the salinity and acidity of the oceans will have consequences for the species that live in them.
Physics
The oceans are liquids that can flow, and so transport heat. Heat can also be transferred between the ocean and the atmosphere. The movement of the atmosphere affects the surface of the ocean in terms of waves and currents. The tides are caused by the gravitational effect of the Moon.
Geography and Geology
The oceans were formed by plate tectonics as the plates move on the mantle. The sediments from erosion of rocks and other material will eventually end up on the seafloor and long dead organisms form fossil fuel deposits. The geography of ports and harbours provided shelter for ships and hence the rise of coastal cities.
Why study the oceans? This a huge question. There are many reasons that we should devote time and effort to learning how the ocean works. In the beginning it was to assist navigators in crossing the oceans and building ports, but as time progressed mankind has realised that the oceans are more than just a highway or barrier but a vast source of life (food). Further studies revealed that the oceans also have a major part to play in the world's energy transfer systems of weather and climate, and if the oceans were to change their behaviour, that this would have a knock on effect on the climate and our lifestyles.
Biology
The ocean is teaming with a huge variety of life, from coastal waters, open oceans and even in the abyssal deep ocean. Understanding how these species travel and interact with each other has a key role to play in the world's ecosystem and food webs.
Chemistry
Water is a powerful solvent and the oceans contain many dissolved minerals and chemicals. Changes in the salinity and acidity of the oceans will have consequences for the species that live in them.
Physics
The oceans are liquids that can flow, and so transport heat. Heat can also be transferred between the ocean and the atmosphere. The movement of the atmosphere affects the surface of the ocean in terms of waves and currents. The tides are caused by the gravitational effect of the Moon.
Geography and Geology
The oceans were formed by plate tectonics as the plates move on the mantle. The sediments from erosion of rocks and other material will eventually end up on the seafloor and long dead organisms form fossil fuel deposits. The geography of ports and harbours provided shelter for ships and hence the rise of coastal cities.
Activities:
- Naming the seven oceans and the principal seas of the world.
- Explain to each other, or the class, what the ocean means to you, what aspect interests you and why you have chosen to study it.
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