Physical Oceanography

Talking about what oceanography precisely means is really difficult as it actually covers a broad spectrum of disciplines. In short, oceanography involves all aspects of the ocean. To make it simple for readers, oceanography is divided into 4 branches of ocean science, including biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography that consist of lots diverse features of the ocean and its corresponding complex oceanic processes over time. Biological Oceanography explores wildlife in the ocean, describing the ocean’s planet with various species of plants and animals, and their ever-lasting mutual interaction in the marine environment. Chemical Oceanography studies the chemical composition of seawater, trace elements and isotopes, and how they are influenced by physical and geological processes, such as weather, climate, sedimentation and human activities. Geological Oceanography focuses on the formation of ocean floor, ocean basin and its topography, and how they evolve with time through ages in a geological timescale. Physical Oceanography is in general the study of physical conditions and properties of ocean waters, physical processes in the ocean, particularly the flow of ocean waters, including wind-forced ocean waves and currents, air-sea interaction, coastal processes, transport of water masses between adjacent ocean basins. It is not possible to separate the different branches of ocean science because they affect each other in numerous, complicated ways. About 7o percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water in its various forms with more than 9o percent is saltwater, circulating the water around the world and exchanging heat and water between parts of the oceans. Given the size of the world’s ocean and the rapid advancements in ocean engineering and technology, there seems no end to what can and will be uncovered from Oceanography.