OCEANOGRAPHY
Course objectives
The purpose of the course is to provide the basic elements for understanding the main dynamic mechanisms underlying ocean circulation, both at the surface and at depth. To achieve this goal, we will start by illustrating the main hydrological features and their distribution in the global ocean, and then move on to the basic processes of ocean dynamics; at the end, these processes will be applied to the global ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
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ENRICO ZAMBIANCHI
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SEAWATER.
Definition of the main hydrological parameters: temperature, salinity, density.
Sea ice: properties and formation processes.
Typical distributions of hydrological characteristics in the global ocean: spatial and temporal variability.
WATER, SALT AND HEAT BALANCE EQUATIONS IN OCEAN BASINS.
Knudsen relations, example budgets for Mediterranean and Black Sea.
INTRODUCTION TO OCEAN DYNAMICS.
Equation of continuity. Equations of motion; main forces involved in ocean dynamics; Coriolis force. Scaling analysis of the equations of motion and their most important approximations: traditional approximation, geostrophic balance and relative degeneracy. Ekman spiral, drift currents.
LARGE-SCALE OCEAN CIRCULATION.
Prevailing winds on the globe at the sea level.
Wind-induced circulation at global scale: subtropical and subpolar gyres, Antarctic circumpolar current. Potential vorticity and its conservation. Westward intensification.
Thermohaline circulation: thermocline theories; formation of intermediate and deep waters. Vorticity in the open ocean, deep western bounday currents.
The oceanic conveyor belt.
Mediterranean amalogues of large-scale ocean circulation mechanisms.
Prerequisites
Basics of calculus and classical physics
Books
G.L.PICKARD, W.J.EMERY: Descriptive Physical Oceanography, Pergamon Press;
R.H.STEWART: Introduction to Physical Oceanography, available online;
M.TOMCZAK, J.S.GODFREY: Regional Oceanography, Pergamon Press.
Frequency
Attendance is strongly recommended, even though not mandatory.
Exam mode
Profit will be assessed through an oral examination designed to test the knowledge acquired during the course.
In order to proceed to the core of the exam students will be asked an initial question on a geostrophic situation.
Lesson mode
Frontal teaching will be carried out at the blackboard and/or using multimedial sources and materials
ENRICO ZAMBIANCHI
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SEAWATER.
Definition of the main hydrological parameters: temperature, salinity, density.
Sea ice: properties and formation processes.
Typical distributions of hydrological characteristics in the global ocean: spatial and temporal variability.
WATER, SALT AND HEAT BALANCE EQUATIONS IN OCEAN BASINS.
Knudsen relations, example budgets for Mediterranean and Black Sea.
INTRODUCTION TO OCEAN DYNAMICS.
Equation of continuity. Equations of motion; main forces involved in ocean dynamics; Coriolis force. Scaling analysis of the equations of motion and their most important approximations: traditional approximation, geostrophic balance and relative degeneracy. Ekman spiral, drift currents.
LARGE-SCALE OCEAN CIRCULATION.
Prevailing winds on the globe at the sea level.
Wind-induced circulation at global scale: subtropical and subpolar gyres, Antarctic circumpolar current. Potential vorticity and its conservation. Westward intensification.
Thermohaline circulation: thermocline theories; formation of intermediate and deep waters. Vorticity in the open ocean, deep western bounday currents.
The oceanic conveyor belt.
Mediterranean amalogues of large-scale ocean circulation mechanisms.
Prerequisites
Basics of calculus and classical physics
Books
G.L.PICKARD, W.J.EMERY: Descriptive Physical Oceanography, Pergamon Press;
R.H.STEWART: Introduction to Physical Oceanography, available online;
M.TOMCZAK, J.S.GODFREY: Regional Oceanography, Pergamon Press.
Frequency
Attendance is strongly recommended, even though not mandatory.
Exam mode
Profit will be assessed through an oral examination designed to test the knowledge acquired during the course.
In order to proceed to the core of the exam students will be asked an initial question on a geostrophic situation.
Lesson mode
Frontal teaching will be carried out at the blackboard and/or using multimedial sources and materials
- Lesson code1041956
- Academic year2025/2026
- CourseSciences and Teaching of Natural Systems
- CurriculumClima ambiente ed energia - Percorso valido anche per coloro che partecipano al percorso internazionale di titolo multiplo italo-svizzero-svedese-francese con prima iscrizione presso l'Università di Stoccolma)
- Year1st year
- Semester2nd semester
- SSDGEO/12
- CFU6