Oceanography: a key to better understand our world

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

4 hours to complete

1A - The Mediterranean: a model of an ocean - Temperature, salinity and pressure.

Module 1 addresses some of the fundamental concepts of descriptive oceanography related to the physical characteristics of water: the vertical distribution of temperature and salinity, TS diagram, stability and destabilization of the water column, the formation of water dense and deep, the water masses and circulation. It is necessary also introduces concepts to understand the relationship between the distribution of the mass of water, its surface topography of a regional or larger scale, and called geostrophic circulation, where it plays a fundamental role the Coriolis force. While the concepts presented have general applicability, examples are the Mediterranean, starting with the characteristics of the waters near Barcelona, where it begins and ends the Barcelona World Race, and ending with the general circulation of the water masses around the Mediterranean....

5 videos (Total 59 min), 13 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Video Course Presentation7m

1.0 Video Introduction10m

1.1 Video Temperature, salinity, density15m

1.2.1 Video Introduction: Vertical profiles for T and S on the Catalan coast, NW Mediterranean.11m

1.2.2 Video Vertical stability12m

13 readings

Introduction10m

Course structure10m

1. Introduction to the module 1 (A and B)10m

1.1 The Mediterranean: a model of an ocean - Temperature, salinity and pressure10m

1.1.1 Temperature10m

1.1.2 Salinity10m

1.1.3 Pressure10m

1.1.4 Density and the T/S diagram10m

1.2 The annual hydrographic cycle opposite Barcelona10m

1.2.1 Vertical profiles for T and S on the Catalan coast, NW Mediterranean.10m

1.2.2 Vertical stability10m

1.2.3 Stability gains and losses10m

1.2.4 The construction and destruction of the thermocline10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 1A30m

2

Section

3 hours to complete

1B - The Mediterranean: a model of an ocean - Water masses and circulation

In this module you will learn how dense waters and water bodies are formed. Where the Mediterranean will be used as a model of ocean. As well as some of the fundamental concepts of marine dynamics, which is how the Coriolis and pressure gradient force is formed. Besides the importance of dynamic topography and geostrophic flow. Hope will be to your liking....

4 videos (Total 66 min), 8 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

1.3 Video: The formation of dense water and water masses18m

1.4 Video: The Mediterranean a model of an ocean16m

1.5.1 Video The pressure gradient force13m

1.5.2 Video: The Coriolis Force17m

8 readings

1.3 The formation of dense water and water masses10m

1.4 The Mediterranean a model of an ocean10m

1.4.1 The Mediterranean, a negative estuary10m

1.4.2 The circulation of the Mediterranean's main masses of water10m

1.5 Fundamental concepts of marine dynamics10m

1.5.1 The “pressure gradient force”10m

1.5.2 The Coriolis Force10m

1.5.3 Dynamic topography and geostrophic circulation10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 1B30m

3

Section

6 hours to complete

2. The Global Ocean

This module will enter fully into the Global Ocean, will review and generalize the aspects previously referred to in the previous module. We will see the role of the ocean on a global scale, and how we can affect those who live closer or farther from the coast. Try to understand why it is still quite unknown and will glance nose in the marine environment. That is, how it behaves for those living beings, most who live within the ocean or in direct contact with him....

12 videos (Total 151 min), 18 readings, 1 quiz

12 videos

2.1.1 Video: From the Mediterranean to the ocean. Changing scales past Gibraltar12m

2.1.2 Video: The water cycle on the planet6m

2.1.3 Video: The confinement of the ocean and the freedom of the atmosphere. Exchanges of energy and evaporation. Heating and cooling. Consequences of ocean dynamics.14m

2.1.4 Video: Vertical structure by density. Intrusions and intermediate waters7m

2.2.1 Video Circulation, water masses and the internal structure of the oceans. Geostrophy or how ocean structure reflects circulation and how the circulation affects structure14m

2.2.3 Video Wind-induced circulation. Ekman and upwelling.13m

2.3.1 Video Instabilities. Inertial motion. Mesoscale.10m

2.3.2 Video Deep and intermediate water formation18m

2.3.3 Video Climate impact. Heat distribution on the planet. Hidden heat.13m

2.3.4 Video Non-linearity and instabilities: Niños and Niñas14m

2.4.1 Video A three-dimensional environment, with little or no visibility and no fixed references12m

2.4.2 Video A sea full of life: the pelagic and benthic environments. Near to and far from the coast. In light and darkness.13m

18 readings

2. Introduction Planet Earth is also 'planet water'10m

2.1.The Global Ocean10m

2.1.1 From the Mediterranean to the ocean. Changing scales past Gibraltar10m

2.1.2 Water cycle on the planet10m

2.1.3 The confinement of the ocean and the freedom of the atmosphere. Exchanges of energy and evaporation. Heating and cooling. Consequences of ocean dynamics.10m

2.1.4 Vertical structure by density. Intrusions and intermediate waters10m

Introduction Ocean Circulation10m

2.2.1 Circulation, water masses and te internal structure of the oceans. Geostrophy or how ocean structure reflects circulation and how the circulation affects structure10m

2.2.2 Thermohaline circulation. Water transport and the conveyor belt10m

2.2.3 Wind-induced circulation. Ekman and upwelling.10m

2.3 Introduction Other scales of motion10m

2.3.1 Instabilities. Inertial motion. Mesoscale.10m

2.3.2 Deep and intermediate water formation10m

2.3.3 Climate impact. Heat distribution on the planet. Hidden heat.10m

2.3.4 Non-linearity and instabilities: Niños and Niñas10m

2.4 Introduction The ocean as an environment. A sea full of life10m

2.4.1 A three-dimensional environment, with little or no visibility and no fixed references10m

2.4.2 A sea full of life: the pelagic and benthic environments. Near to and far from the coast. In light and darkness.10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 230m

4

Section

2 hours to complete

3A. Satellite oceanography: all eyes on the planet (I)

In this module you will learn the importance of ocean observation by satellite, talk about remote sensing, electromagnetic radiation emitted and reflected, and the importance of their study for navigation....

4 videos (Total 22 min), 9 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

Video: 3A. Introduction2m

3.1.1 Video Can we do something similar for the ocean?5m

3.1.2 Video Why do we want to use remote sensing for oceanography?7m

3.2.2 Video Sensing the ocean surface from a satellite6m

9 readings

3.1 What is remote sensing? Why do we want to observe the ocean from space?10m

3.1.1 Can we do something similar for the ocean?10m

3.1.2 Why do we want to use remote sensing for oceanography?10m

3.1.3 Advantages and disadvantages of ocean remote sensing10m

3.2 Electromagnetic radiation emitted and reflected by the ocean10m

3.2.1 Oceans and electromagnetic radiation10m

3.2.2 Sensing the ocean surface from a satellite10m

3.2.3 Sea Surface Temperature (SST)10m

3.2.4 Ocean colour10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 3A30m

5

Section

4 hours to complete

3B. Satellite oceanography: All eyes on the planet (II)

This new module will expand the study of oceanography satellite, and microwave as for obtaining information are used. What are they and what is the importance of active sensors. And finally, other applications of satellites and their importance....

8 videos (Total 75 min), 15 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

3.3.1 Video Microwave radiometers9m

3.3.2 Video Sea surface salinity determined by microwaves12m

3.4.3 Video How is this used in satellite oceanography?14m

3.4.3.1 Video scatterometer wind vector retrieval8m

3.4.4 Video Radar altimeter: the revolution in operational oceanography8m

3.5.1 Video Beyond satellite measurements: navigation and communications7m

3.5.2 Video The Argo array of profiling floats1m

3.5.3 Video Operational oceanography12m

15 readings

3.3 A very interesting atmospheric window: the microwave domain10m

3.3.1 Microwave radiometers10m

3.3.2 Sea surface salinity determined by microwaves10m

3.3.3 Sea ice observation and icebergs tracking10m

3.3.4 Surface wind speed and direction10m

3.4 Active sensors: satellites that illuminate the oceans10m

3.4.1 Lidar: using a laser to observe the ocean10m

3.4.2 Radars: active sensors to illuminate the ocean through clouds10m

3.4.3 Side-looking radars to image the ocean surface and quantify its roughness10m

3.4.4 Radar altimeter: the revolution in operational oceanography10m

3.5 Other satellite applications in oceanography and final summary10m

3.5.1 Beyond satellite measurements: navigation and communications10m

3.5.2 The Argo array of profiling floats10m

3.5.3 Operational oceanography10m

3.5.4 Final summary10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 3B30m

6

Section

5 hours to complete

4. Ocean chemistry: a chemical industry with wall-less pipes

In this section you will learn ocean chemistry what is it? how does it work? What is the vertical axis of the biosphere and the vertical segregació of the elements and how it works? What is carbon carbonate system and what is its relationship with the ocean conveyor belt?. The answers to all these questions will help us understand how the oceans work, the importance for navigation and its relationship to the planet's climate....

5 videos (Total 80 min), 19 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

4. Video Introduction: Ocean chemistry12m

4.1 Video: Water, solutes and particles16m

4.2 Video The biosphere's vertical axis and the vertical segregrations of the elements13m

4.3 Video The carbon carbonate system19m

4.4 Video The chemistry of the global ocean conveyor belt17m

19 readings

4.1 Water, solutes and particles10m

4.1.1 General Introduction: A complex chemical plant with no pipes10m

4.1.2 Water10m

4.1.3 The chemical composition of sea water10m

4.1.4 Solute or particle: chemistry and gravity10m

4.2 The biosphere's vertical axis and the vertical segregrations of the elements10m

4.2.1 Production: light, nutrients and organisms10m

4.2.2 Vertical segregation and the role of auxiliary energy in production10m

4.2.3 New production and recycled production10m

4.3 The carbon carbonate system10m

4.3.1. Forms of inorganic carbon10m

4.3.2 Processes which modify dissolved inorganic carbon10m

4.3.3 Changes in alkalinity and pH10m

4.3.4 CO2 exchanges with the atmosphere10m

4.4 The chemistry of the global ocean conveyor belt10m

4.4.1 The vertical and horizontal segregation of the nutrient elements10m

4.4.2 Apparent oxygen utilisation and the apparent production of nutrients10m

4.4.3 Respiration, acidification and dissolution of carbonate10m

4.4.4 The global ocean distribution of chemical elements of interest for life10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 430m

7

Section

5 hours to complete

5. Ocean basins: a memory sustained for millions of years

The result of the evolution of the crust of the Earth: a set of land masses and ocean basins in continuous motion over crust. With a little history we will achieve understand the result of the evolution of the crust of the earth and the diversity of ocean domains: the continental margins to large tanks. Large ocean basins...

11 videos (Total 136 min), 15 readings, 1 quiz

11 videos

5 Video: Introduction: The result of the evolution of the Earth's crust. Ocean basins1m

5.1.1. Video: A bit of history13m

5.1.2. Video The result of the evolution of the Earth's crust19m

5.2.1 Video Paleoceanography Introduction22m

5.2.2 Video The marine record of glacial and interglacial cycles of the Quaternary12m

5.2.3 Video The role of the oceans in the rapid advance of climatic variability15m

5.2.4 Video The Carbon cycle as feedback for climate change14m

5.2.5 Video Summary2m

5.3.1 Video The marine sediment system as a response to the conditions and evolution of the medium8m

5.4 Video Typologies of marine biogenous and hydrogenous sediment13m

5.4.1 Video Biogenous sediment12m

15 readings

5. Introduction:The result of the evolution of the Earth's crust.Ocean basins10m

5.1.1. Some history10m

5.1.2. The result of the evolution of the Earth's crust10m

5.1.3 The diversity of the ocean domains: from continental margins to great trenches. The great ocean basins10m

5.2 Paleoceanography10m

5.3 Marine sediment distribution10m

5.3.1 The marine sediment system as a response to the conditions and evolution of the medium10m

5.3.2 The conditioning factors for the distribution of terrigenous sediment and rates of sedimentation10m

5.3.3 The marine sediment system as a response to conditions and the evolution of the environment10m

5.4 Typologies of marine biogenous and hydrogenous sediment10m

5.4.1 biogenous sediment10m

5.4.2 Evaporite sediment and chemical precipitation (hydrogenous)10m

5.4.3 Marine productivity and the preservation of organic matter in sediment10m

5.4.4 Other deposits of interest10m

5.5 Important points along the BWR course and their oceanic and structural significance10m

1 practice exercises

Quiz 530m

Oceanography: a key to better understand our world