20810186 - ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS

The module is intended to provide a detailed understanding of physical processes in geophysical fluid dynamics, and particularly in marine environment.
teacher profile | teaching materials

Programme

Radiative equilibrium of the Earth.
The global energy budget.
Hydrostatic balance.
Lagrangian interpretation of stratification.
Turbulent dispersion.
Geostrophic equilibrium.
Frictional geostrophic motion.
Kinematics of fluid motion.
Reynold’s transport theorem.
Description of turbulence.
Structure of the boundary layer.
Ekman pumping.
Acoustic waves.
Buoyancy waves.
The Lamb wave.
Rossby waves.
Wave absorption.
Inertial stability.
Shear stability.
The wind-driven circulation.
The buoyancy-driven circulation.
Interannual changes.

Core Documentation

Karnauskas K. - Physical Oceanography and Climate. Cambridge University Press, 2020 - ISBN:9781108423861

Reference Bibliography

McCormick M.E. - Ocean Engineering Mechanics. Cambridge University Press, 2009 - ISBN:9780521859523

Type of delivery of the course

The teaching methodology consists of lectures for acquiring fundamental knowledge to achieve the educational objectives scheduled. The attending Students to teaching activities is optional. In case of an extension of COVID-19 health emergency, all the provisions governing the teaching activities will be implemented.

Type of evaluation

The verification of skills learning takes place through an oral test lasting about 1 hour, to verifying the level of effective understanding of the concepts and the students' ability to apply them in real contexts. In case of an extension of COVID-19 health emergency, all the provisions governing the evaluation methods of the students will be implemented.