The planetary ocean / Michèle Fieux and Ferris Webster.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fieux, Michele, author.

Webster, Ferris, author.

Series:

Current Natural Sciences

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Oceanography--Research.

Oceanography.

Ocean-atmosphere interaction.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (564 pages) : illustrations (some color).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Les Ulis : EDP Sciences, [2017]

Summary:

The description of ocean water masses is based on the study of their temperature, salinity, and density, virtual genetic imprints which provide identity and movement to water masses. Ocean characteristics and processes involved in exchanges with the atmosphere together with simple dynamic balances give an understanding of a large part of the vast oceanic system. This book is enhanced with numerous colored illustrations. It is a reference on regional oceanography updated with extensive results from the last twenty years. The presentation underscores the specificity of each ocean basin using a precise and global approach. Beginning with a brief historical context, it explains the interactions and the role of each ocean basin in the functioning of the planetary ocean. How do we recognize Antarctic Bottom Water in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? What is the densest water mass? The warmest? Why doesn’t dense water form in the largest ocean basin? What becomes of water that sinks in the Labrador Sea? Why does the ocean play such an important role in climate variations? … Answers can be found in this book. Beyond a course in regional oceanography, the text is aimed at students in all fields of marine and environmental science as well as interested secondary school teachers. It also provides a guide to exploring the «ocean planet» that is comprehensible to any well-informed amateur eager to know the basics.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Table of Contents

Prolog

Preface to the French Edition

Acknowledgments

Introduction

I. Generalities

1 Ocean characteristics

2 Heat and water exchanges between ocean and atmosphere

3 Water masses

4 Ocean circulation

5 The role of wind

6 Observational techniques

II. The Antarctic (or Austral) Ocean

1 Introduction

2 Geographic characteristics

3 Atmospheric pressure and winds

4 Climatology

5 Surface circulation

6 Water properties

7 Distinctive features of the Antarctic Ocean

III. The Atlantic Ocean

3 Climatology

4 Surface and subsurface circulation

5 Adjacent seas

7 Water properties of adjacent and epicontinental seas

8 Distinctive features of the Atlantic Ocean

IV. The Indian Ocean

4 Surface circulation

5 Water properties

6 Distinctive features of the Indian Ocean

V. The Pacific Ocean

6 Distinctive features of the Pacific Ocean

VI. Conclusions

1 Planetary ocean water properties

2 Circulation of the planetary ocean

3 Thoughts on ocean variability, climatic implications

References, acronyms, web sites

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

OCLC:

1003263679