Marine Geophysics and oceanography
Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: FRANCESCO PANZERAExpected Learning Outcomes
Provide adequate knowledge and skills in the field of physical oceanography and marine geophysics.
Knowledge and understanding:
- Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the physical processes that govern the oceans, including ocean circulation, waves, tides, and ocean-atmosphere interactions.
- They will be able to explain the theoretical principles underlying the main oceanographic phenomena, integrating concepts of physics, mathematics and meteorology.
- They will acquire appropriate knowledge and understanding of the main marine geophysical surveys.
Ability to apply knowledge:
- Students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to analyze oceanographic data and interpret physical models.
- They will demonstrate the ability to solve complex problems in physical oceanography, connecting theory and empirical observations to explain specific phenomena.
- Based on the acquired knowledge, students will be able to choose the most suitable geophysical methods to apply in a marine environment.
Autonomy of judgement
- Students will be able to critically evaluate scientific studies in the field of physical oceanography.
- They will be able to make autonomous judgments about the complex physical processes that regulate the oceans.
- Students will be able to critically evaluate the results obtained from marine geophysical surveys.
Communication skills
- Students will develop skills in communicating scientific results, using appropriate technical language.
- They will be able to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, contributing specific expertise in physical oceanography and geophysics.
Course Structure
Frontal lessons.
If the teaching is taught in mixed or remote mode, the necessary variations may be introduced in order to respect the planned program and reported in the syllabus.
Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata - Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) professor of our Department, prof. Giorgio De Guidi.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Introduction to oceanography: space and timescales of physical oceanographic phenomena, brief history of physical oceanography.
Ocean dimensions, shapes and bottom materials: dimensions, plate tectonics and deep-sea topography, seafloor features, spatial scales, shore coast and beach, continental shelf slope and rise, deep ocean sills straits, and passages, methods for mapping bottom topography, bottom material, ocean basins.
Physical properties of seawater: molecular properties of water, pressure, thermal properties of seawater, density of sea water, tracers, sound in the sea, light and the sea, ice in the sea.
Typical distributions of water characteristics: temperature distribution of the oceans, salinity distribution, density distribution, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and other tracers, age, turnover time, and ventilation rate.
Mass, salt and heat budgets: conservation of volume and mass, conservation of salt, conservation of heat energy the heat budget, geographic distribution and temporal variation of the heat-budget terms, meridional heat transport, buoyancy fluxes.
Dynamical processes for descriptive ocean circulation: mechanisms, momentum balance, mixing layers, response to wind forcing, geostrophic balance, vorticity, wind-driven circulation: sverdrup balance and western boundary currents.
Gravity waves and tides: general properties of waves, surface gravity waves, internal gravity waves, tides.
Ocean Observations: in situ ocean observations, remote sensing of the global ocean circulation, summary and outlook.
Magnetic Method: Basic concepts of geomagnetism; magnetic surveying; interpretation; applicability to the context of marine exploration.
Gravimetric Method: Basic concepts of gravimetry; gravimetric surveying; corrections to gravity observations; interpretation methods; applicability to the marine context.
Textbook Information
Talley, Lynne D. Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction. Academic press, 2011.
Lowrie, W., & Fichtner, A. (2020). Fundamentals of geophysics. Cambridge university press.
Siedler, Gerold, et al. Ocean circulation and climate: a 21st century perspective. Academic Press, 2013.
Dispense.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction (Chapter 1, S1) | |
| 2 | Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction (Chapter 2), Fundamentals of Geophysics Lowrie (Chapter 5) | |
| 3 | Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction (Chapter 3) | |
| 4 | Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction (Chapter 4) | |
| 5 | Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction (Chapter 5) | |
| 6 | Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction (Chapter 7, S7) | |
| 7 | Descriptive physical oceanography: an introduction (Chapter 8) | |
| 8 | Ocean Circulation and Climate (Chapter 3, 4) | |
| 9 | Slides | |
| 10 | Slides | |
| 11 | Slides | |
| 12 | Slides | |
| 13 | Slides | |
| 14 | Slides |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The exam consists of an oral test lasting approximately 30 minutes aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge and understanding achieved by the student on the theoretical and methodological contents indicated in the program. Students will be able to begin the exam by explaining a topic of their choice.
Verification of learning can also be carried out on-line, should conditions require it.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Talk about techniques for measuring the physical characteristics of the oceans.
What is the geostrophic balance?
Talk about gravity waves.
What is the sverdrup balance?
Talk about the conservation of thermal energy in the oceans.
What is the vorticity?
Talk about the application of magnetic methods in marine surveys.