The world's oceans account for roughly 71 percent of the planet's surface and99 percent of its livable volume. Any study of this huge habitat requires a solid foundation in the principles that underlie marine biology and physical and chemical oceanography, yet until now undergraduate textbooks have largely presented compilations of facts rather than explanations of principles. "How theOcean Works" fills this gap, providing a concise and accessible college-levelintroduction to marine science that is also ideal for general readers. How are winds and currents driven? What is the dilemma of the two-layered ocean?MarkDenny explains key concepts like these in rich and fascinating detail. He explores early scientific knowledge of oceans, photosynthesis, trophic interactions and energy flow, and the impacts of human activities on marine and atmospheric systems. Focusing each chapter on a major topic and carefully explaining the principles and theory involved, Denny gives readers the conceptual buildingblocks needed to develop a coherent picture of the living ocean. "How the Ocean Works" is an indispensable resource that teaches readers how to think aboutthe ocean - its biology, mechanics, and conservation. It provides a concise, up-to-date introduction to marine science. It develops the conceptual basis needed to understand how the ocean works. It explains fundamental principles andtheory. It includes color illustrations and informative diagrams. It serves as a college textbook and a reference for general readers. INDICE: List of Illustrations ix List of Tables xiii Preface xv Chapter 1:Discovering the Oceans 1 Chapter 2: Ocean Basins 33 Chapter 3: Seawater 54 Chapter 4: Photosynthesis and Primary Production 68 Chapter 5: The Flow of Energy, Carbon, and Nutrients 106 Chapter 6: The Dilemma of the Two-Layered Ocean 145 Chapter 7: The Coriolis Effect and Its Consequences 173 Chapter 8: Winds and Currents 204 Chapter 9: Solutions to the Dilemma 233 Chapter 10: Complexity:Carbon, Iron, and the Atmosphere 251 Chapter 11: Fisheries 276 Chapter 12: AnInvitation 299 Index 305
- ISBN: 978-0-691-12646-3
- Editorial: Princeton University
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 344
- Fecha Publicación: 14/04/2008
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés