Geology – Ocean Sciences

Oceanography, often known as oceanology, is the study of the seas from a scientific perspective. It is an essential Earth science that encompasses a broad variety of subjects, including ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; plate tectonics and the geology of the sea bottom; and fluxes of diverse chemical compounds and physical qualities within and across the ocean. Numerous disciplines, including astronomy, biology, chemistry, climatology, geography, geology, hydrology, meteorology, and physics, are utilised by oceanographers to further their understanding of the global ocean. Paleoceanography is the study of the past history of the oceans. An oceanographer is a person who researches ocean-related topics such as marine geology, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Branches of Oceanography 

Physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, biological oceanography, and geological oceanography are the four traditional sub-disciplines of oceanography that are distinct yet interconnected.

Physical Oceanography

Physical oceanography investigates the physical characteristics of the ocean, such as the temperature-salinity structure, mixing, surface waves, internal waves, surface tides, internal tides, and currents. The following are key research areas for physical oceanography.

It is possible to partition physical oceanography into descriptive and dynamical physical oceanography.

The objective of descriptive physical oceanography is to study the ocean using observations and complicated numerical models that properly characterise fluid dynamics.

Dynamic physical oceanography is largely concerned with the mechanisms governing the motion of fluids, with an emphasis on theoretical study and numerical modelling. This is part of the expansive field of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) that meteorology shares. GFD is a subfield of fluid dynamics that describes flows that are strongly impacted by the Coriolis force on spatial and temporal scales.

Chemical Oceanography

Chemical oceanography seeks to comprehend the mechanisms that govern the distribution and concentration of elements and their compounds in the ocean. Due to the ocean’s complicated chemical “soup,” a number of advanced procedures are required to determine its composition. Water is the predominant chemical ingredient, although various additional substances are also present. Some compounds in saltwater exist in quantities so low that it is difficult to recognise their existence, let alone quantify their quantity. Chemical oceanographers are attempting to determine which chemicals are advantageous to marine plant life, whether marine organisms produce natural chemicals that can benefit modern society, and how chemicals of environmental concern such as pesticides, petrochemicals, metals, and radioactive contaminants behave in the ocean. The biochemistry of marine animals and the geochemistry of marine sedimentary processes are supported by chemical oceanography.

Biological Oceanography

Biological oceanography examines the ecology and biology of marine creatures in relation to the physical, chemical, and geological properties of their ocean habitat.

Biological oceanography is the study of the factors that influence the quantity, production, and variability of oceanic life. At the University of Georgia, we research some of the ocean’s tiniest species, including bacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. Despite their modest size, these organisms collectively have a worldwide influence on the productivity of the seas and the utilisation and transformation of elements such as carbon. Using field observations, laboratory studies, and computer modelling, we attempt to determine the elements that govern the growth of their populations, when and where they bloom in the water, and their interactions.

Geological Oceanography

The subject of geological oceanography is marine deposits. This involves understanding the mechanisms governing ocean sediments’ genesis, erosion, transport, and deposition. Sediments absorb water-borne pollutants, offer a home for marine creatures, and alter underwater light levels; hence, their behaviour substantially influences both pollution dispersion and biological output. Geological oceanography is also concerned with sediment deposits, which can build up on the ocean floor over millions of years. These give a record of historical occurrences (such as temperature and sea-level changes) that may be used to anticipate the environmental effects of human activities. These deposits’ load-bearing potential for offshore infrastructures like rigs and pipelines is determined by their physical characteristics. Marine geology examines the processes that create ocean basins, defines the structure and content of the Earth’s crust, and determines the characteristics of continental borders. Geological oceanographers and marine geologists use a variety of geophysical and stratigraphic methods to uncover the mysteries of sedimentary deposits and underlying crustal rocks.

Geoscientists

Frequently, geoscientists are involved in the finding and exploitation of financially valuable and exploitable natural resource deposits, including oil, gas, minerals, and water.

Others are employed in fields including seismology, volcanology, environmental protection, land reclamation, and oceanography.

Regardless of your field of study, you will investigate the physical structure of the earth, including its formation, processes, and rate of change.

There are a variety of job titles within geoscience, depending on the field of expertise:

1. Geophysicist
2. Geologist
3. Geochemist
4. Hydrogeologist
5. Mining engineer
6. Sedimentologist.

Oceanographic Establishments

The Worldwide Council for the Exploration of the Sea was founded in 1902 as the first international oceanographic organisation. Scripps Institution of Oceanography was established in 1903, followed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1930, Virginia Institute of Marine Science in 1938, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, and the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington. The National Oceanography Centre (an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council) succeeded the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences in the United Kingdom. The CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) is a renowned institution in Australia. The International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) was established in Monaco in 1921.

Conclusion

Due to the breadth of scientific knowledge necessary to comprehend all relevant processes, ocean science is typically subdivided into several fields. Many components of the maritime environment are impacted by physical, chemical, and biological processes that interact with one another. This interdisciplinarity contributes to the excitement of ocean science. On research cruises and land-based field excursions, experts from a variety of scientific disciplines frequently collaborate to answer fundamental questions about marine environmental phenomena. The success of a mission is contingent on weather conditions and sophisticated, often temperamental instruments. These adventures are difficult and sometimes exceedingly unpleasant, but they are also tremendously exciting and gratifying.