Annotated Contents
Preface
1. The Ocean Planet
Includes a unique section on “How to Study Ocean Data,” covering graphs, contour plots and profiles, maps, charts, and scientific notation.
2. History and Challenges of Ocean Studies
3. Studying the Oceans
This chapter provides fundamental explanations of the many methods by which ocean science data is gathered. Collecting it here gives students an overall appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of ocean science before they dive into the discipline-oriented chapters.
Critical Concepts
This section includes 18 illustrated 2-5-page-features—see the complete list of topics below. Uniquely designed to allow students to apply these concepts even if they find the more detailed technical explanations challenging.
4. Plate Tectonics: Evolution of the Ocean Floor
Introduces ocean and land topographical features by describing how plate tectonics and other processes lead to their formation.
5. Plate Tectonics: History and Evidence
Explores the evidence supporting the plate tectonics theory—which is treated as a prime example of the scientific method at work.
6. Water and Seawater
7. Physical Properties of Water and Seawater
8. Ocean Sediments
9. Ocean–Atmosphere Interactions
10. Ocean Circulation
11. Waves
12. Tides
13. Coasts
14. Foundations of Life in the Oceans
Unique bridge chapter between the physical science and biology coverage that considers them as an interdisciplinary whole. It starts with the question “How Do We Describe Life?”
15. Coastal Oceans and Estuaries
16. Marine Ecology
Covers marine life in the context of ecosystems rather than separating the animals from their environments.
17. Ocean Ecosystems
18. Ocean Resources and Impacts of Their Use
19. Pollution
A balanced account that encourages students to question rather than just accept what they read or hear.
Appendixes
The appendixes cover Units and Conversion Factors, Dimensions of the Earth and Oceans, and Classification of Marine Organisms. The endpapers feature an updated map of seafloor topography and a world map that includes all place-names mentioned in the text.
Glossary
Index
Critical Concepts Contents
CC1 Density and Layering in Fluids
CC2 Isostasy, Eustasy, and Sea Level
CC3 Convection and Convection Cells
CC4 Particle Size, Sinking, Deposition, and Resuspension
CC5 Transfer and Storage of Heat by Water
CC6 Salinity, Temperature, Pressure, and Water Density
CC7 Radioactivity and Age Dating
CC8 Residence Time
CC9 The Global Greenhouse Effect
CC10 Modeling
NEW Critical Concept that demonstrates the importance of conceptual and mathematical models for understanding environmental processes and interactions.
CC11 Chaos
CC12 The Coriolis Effect
CC13 Geostrophic Flow
CC14 Photosynthesis, Light, and Nutrients
CC15 Food Chain Efficiency
CC16 Maximum Sustainable Yield
CC17 Species Diversity and Biodiversity
CC18 Toxicity
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