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What is Oceanography?

What is Oceanography?. Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science because it applies all the sciences and engineering to the study of the oceans. Oceanography is usually divided into four major categories: 1. geological 2. chemical 3. physical 4. biological

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What is Oceanography?

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  1. What is Oceanography? Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science because it applies all the sciences and engineering to the study of the oceans. Oceanography is usually divided into four major categories: 1. geological 2. chemical 3. physical 4. biological In addition there are components of engineering, navigation, mathematics and meteorology.

  2. Why Study Oceanography? • The oceans cover about 71% of the Earth's surface and have a tremendous impact on our weather, climate, history, health, economics, communications, recreation and safety. • Canada alone has the largest coastline of any country in the world. It is approximately 244 000 km long and borders three oceans.

  3. We will address questions such as: • How do the unique physical properties of water and especially seawater, affect world climate, and the marine environment? • How have the oceans changed over time and how will they continue to change? • How does water move in the ocean?

  4. How is life in the oceans interconnected? • How does scientific nomenclature help us to organize and study ocean life? • How are marine organisms specially adapted to their environment?

  5. What happened to the Atlantic Cod? • Aquaculture: Is it the future of the Fisheries? • How important is the ocean to the future of the planet? • What are some of the current issues in the news today about the ocean that relate directly to this course?

  6. Why Study Oceanography? • The present life in the seas is a major food source for man. • Algae, which is the most numerous producer in the world’s oceans, produces more than half of the world’s oxygen. • The water of the oceans is a chemical resource for many elements. In arid (dry) regions, desalination provides a source of freshwater.

  7. Why Study Oceanography? • The final resting spot of all continental freshwater runoff and eroded sediments is the sea. Some sea-floor mineral deposits are precipitates from seawater, while others are physically deposited by currents.

  8. We can and do obtain energy from the oceans, tides, waves, winds and even seawater temperature differences. Canada has the potential to harness enormous amounts of energy from the oceans. There is enough energy in the Bay of Fundy daily tides to power all of Canada’s energy needs!

  9. Why Study Oceanography? • The oceans are the major source of water for our rain and snow. If the unchecked burning of fossil fuels and forests continues, the climatic affects of the resulting increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will not only raise our planetary average temperature and melt glaciers but cause sea levels to rise. Since most human populations are concentrated along coasts even a small rise in sea level can have devastating results. • The transportation potential of the oceans is extremely important. Over 90% of international trade is conducted by ships.

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