Marine Physics

In trying to discover as much as possible about the marine environment, oceanography has split into many subdisciplines, each represented by innumerable publications. To date however, there has been no concise synthesis introducing readers to the whole array of physical processes in the sea, and showing how these processes are related to one another and to other natural phenomena. The author of Marine Physics aims to fill this gap. The volume presents energy and mass transfer processes in the marine environment together with an explanation of their effects on other processes. Starting with a general introduction to the thermodynamics of ocean waters, there follow chapters on radiation transfer processes; the molecular exchange of mass, heat and momentum; the turbulent exchange of mass, heat and momentum; small-scale air-sea interactions; modelling the surface boundary layer; and the propagation of acoustic waves in the sea. The discussions begin with physical principles and culminate in a presentation of current research problems. The volume is completed with the presentation of basic quantities, equations, formulas and diagrams, as well as indexes and 576 literature references. This volume should be an invaluable resource to post-graduates and scientists in the fields of engineering and oceanography, and for those interested in the protection or exploitation of the marine environment.