Sciences and Teaching of Natural Systems

ENRICO ZAMBIANCHI

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.

Understanding of the main dynamic mechanisms underlying surface and deep ocean circulation.
Knowledge of the distribution of major hydrological features in the global ocean and ability to interpret its spatio-temporal variability in terms of ocean dynamics as well as to frame it within the climate system.
Ability to interpret hydrological and currentmeter data and derive information on vertical stratification and the two- and three-dimensional velocity field.

Basics of calculus and classical physics

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.

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.

Frontal teaching will be carried out at the blackboard and/or using multimedial sources and materials

Attendance is strongly recommended, even though not mandatory.

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.

One access question on geostrophic balance;
One question on the descriptive part:
One question on the dynamics or large-scale ocean circulation part.

• Chemical and physical properties of seawater


• Typical distributions of hydrological characteristics in the global ocean: spatial and temporal variability


• Water, salt, and heat balance equations in ocean basins


• Ocean Dynamics: Continuity Equation


• Ocean Dynamics: Equations of Motion; Major Forces at Play in Ocean Dynamics


• Large-scale ocean circulation


• Mediterranean counterparts of large-scale ocean circulation mechanisms