Guia docente 2023_24 Facultad de Biología

Máster Universitario en Biología Marina

The Marine Environment: Physical Oceanography

Contents

Topic	Sub-topic
The OCEANOGRAPHY.	Concept and divisions. Historical development of the Oceanography.
The OCEANIC BASINS.	Origin and evolution of the oceans. The oceanic basins. The geological regions of the ocean. Geography of the current oceanic basins.
The OCEANIC SEDIMENTS.	Origin. Classification. Mechanisms of control of the accumulation of oceanic sediments. Distribution of the oceanic sediments.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE WATER OF THE Mar.	Temperature. Salinity. Density. Solar radiation and illumination. Transparency and penetration of the light. Viscosity and superficial tension. Pressure. Propagation of the sound.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE WATER OF THE Mar.	Chemical properties of the pure water. Chemical composition of the water of the mar. Classification of the chemical elements. Greater and lower constituents. Micronutrients. Gases dissolved. Organic matter.
The MOVEMENTS OF THE SEA: The MARINE CURRENTS And The OCEANIC CIRCULATION.	The marine currents. Types of currents. The oceanic circulation. Superficial circulation. Deep circulation. Circulation thermohaline and the big oceanic conveyor.
The MOVEMENTS OF THE SEA: The WAVES	Definition. Characteristics. Classification and types of waves. Origin of the waves. Interaction with the coast. Measurement and forecast of the wave regime. Energy of the waves and its usages. Biological importance of the waves.
The MOVEMENTS OF THE SEA: The TIDES	Definition. Characteristics. Origin of the tides. Explanatory theories. Classification of the tides. Oceanic tides and anfidrómic systems. Measurement and forecast of the tides. Energy of the tides and its industrial use. Biological importance of the tides.
The COAST: COASTAL WATERS And SEA MARGINS.	The COAST. Coastal terminology. Classification and development of the coast. Coastal waters and sea margins. Deep seas.