Course Description
Introduction to basic oceanography and an overview of some of the key local, regional, and global scale changes occurring in the ocean. The potential impacts of these changes and what can be done to reverse present trends will also be discussed.
Athena Title
OCEANS IN PERIL
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The course will provide a basic understanding of the ocean system and how it is changing at present. Students will learn about key aspects of ocean change in comparison to historical trends and future projections.
Topical Outline
Introduction & Overview: The Oceans and their characteristics Fundamentals: Basic overview of ocean circulation, elemental composition and biology Components of Change: Direct and indirect anthropogenic impacts Historical and Future Oceans: What we know about past and future oceans and how we know The Ocean Conveyer Belt: Ocean circulation and Earth’s climate Circulation-Productivity Feedbacks: Upwelling, Freshwater inputs The Polar Oceans: Melting ice and changing oceans Ocean Acidification: Atmospheric CO2 and the pH of the ocean CO2-nutrient feedbacks: Interaction of elevated CO2 and nutrients (N, Fe, P, Si) Coral Reefs: Reef distribution, bleaching, thermal stress, CO2 impacts Oil Spills: Case study of the BP oil incident, other oil spills Fisheries and Climate: Peruvian anchoveta and other examples Overfishing: Case histories (whaling, cod, salmon, tuna, etc.); nearshore versus open ocean; fisheries management and enforcement (international issues) Eutrophication: Nutrient and carbon pollution in the ocean Oceanic hypoxia/anoxia: Changing oxygen distributions and the impacts Changing Foodwebs: Ocean carbon checks and balances Sea Level Rise: Rising waters and altered habitats Coastal Development: Land use change; habitat loss (mangroves, salt/marshes); development and its impacts Plastics: Garbage Patches in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Syllabus
Public CV