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.
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.
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?
• 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?
• 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?
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.
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.
• 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!
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.