Investigating The Ocean

Investigating Seafloors and Oceans: From Mud Volcanoes to Giant Squid offers a bottom-to-top tour of the world’s oceans, exposing the secrets hidden therein from a variety of scientific perspectives. Opening with a discussion of the earth’s formation, hot spots, ridges, plate tectonics, submarine trenches, and cold seeps, the text goes on to address such topics as the role of oceans in the origin of life, tidal bore, thermal effects, ecosystem services, marine creatures, and nutraceutical and pharmaceutical resources. This unique reference provides insight into a wide array of questions that researchers continue to ask about the vast study of oceans and the seafloor. It is a one-of-a-kind examination of oceans that offers important perspectives for researchers, practitioners, and academics in all marine-related fields. Includes chapters addressing various scientific disciplines, offering the opportunity for readers to gain insights on diverse topics in the study of oceans Provides scientific discussion on thermo-tolerant microbial life in sub-seafloor hot sediments and vent fields, as well as the origin of life debates and the puzzles revolving around how life originated Includes detailed information on the origin of dreaded episodes, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, internal waves and tidal bores Contains information on the contribution of the oceans in terms of providing useful nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products

This book is a resource manual and guide that will help students learn about the oceans, explore some of the major phenomena that occur on our planet, and appreciate the way that scientific investigation of the Earth proceeds. The book is divided into two parts. The first part contains a series of short investigations that are designed to help students learn about a particular topic. Thirty-seven short exercises deal with the many aspects of oceanography and have been put into a laboratory format and can easily be torn out and handed in for homework. The second part of the text provides a concise overview of major concepts of oceanography, which can serve as an additional resource to help students interpret the workings of the oceanic system.

Contained in the immensity and depths of the Earth’s oceans, many of the planet’s species and resources thrive far away from the reaches of human civilization. With expanses that have yet to be discovered and enormous reservoirs of untapped potential, oceans provide fodder for all manners of research. This informative volume describes the features and properties of the bodies of water that make up 70 percent of the world’s surface as well as the various branches of oceanography dedicated to studying all aspects of the ocean and its life forms.

"Discusses what oceans are, their importance to humans and to the ecosystem, how humans are harming them, and what can be done to protect them"--

"This text teaches students about the historical, geological, physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the ocean environment and includes essays written by several scientists discussing topics in their fields of specialization"--Publisher's website, March 19, 2019.

This introductory oceanography text is intended to teach students the tremendous influence oceans have on our lives. They are encouraged to look at oceanography as a cohesive and united discipline rather than a collection of subjects gathered under a marine umbrella. This first edition teaches students about the historical, geological, physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the ocean environment using remarkable images and photos. The authors have incorporated essays written by several scientists discussing topics in their fields of specialization. And in order to understand the constant barrage of information concerning our planet and marine issues, the authors believe students must have a basic command of the language of marine science in addition to understanding processes and principles. By the end of this course, the authors want students to be prepared for future environmental discussions and the ability to make decisions as informed global citizens.