Essentials of Oceanography

For use in an introductory college-level course in oceanography. This insightful presentation of the relationship of scientific principles to ocean phenomena is made even more relevant in the Seventh Edition with an enhanced focus on how the oceans interact with other Earth systems. This systems approach - along with student-friendly writing, an excellent graphics package, and a text-specific Companion Website, will intrigue students and ensure they have all the tools necessary to understand how the oceans work. Features and Benefits NEW- "Environmental Issues in Oceanography" companion workbook and web site- Authored by Dan Abel (Coastal Carolina University) and Robert McConnell (Mary Washington College), these critical thinking projects are designed to help the students understand oceanography by tying the concepts to issues and and events relevant to their lives. Concepts in the text are tied to the Issues via "call outs" within the text itself, making it easy for instructors to integrate the projects into the course itself. Each project requires the student to assume the role of scientist in identifying an issue, gathering data, analyzing and interpreting the data, and communicating their findings. The projects are accessed via the web site and the workbook contains the worksheets for student responses. A copy of the workbook is packaged free with every new text. NEW- Key Questions- Found at the beginning of each chapter. NEW- Important concepts highlighted. NEW- 10 NEW Feature Boxes- Reflect the most recent discoveries in the field. NEW- Reorganization of Feature Boxes- Reflects 3 new themes- research methods in oceanography, people and the ocean environment, and historical features. NEW- Revision of graphics program- Includes over 100 new photos and illustrations and the revision of over 150 existing figures and 20 tables. NEW- Revision of content in Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 11-13- Reflects current data in the field. NEW- Appendix IV, "A Chemical Background- Why Water has 2 Hs and 1 O." NEW- Text has been heavily edited and rewritten for clarity and conciseness of explanation. Logical organization- Presents the physical features of the marine environment culminating with their ecological implications for life in the oceans- Geological oceanography (Chapters 2, 3, 4, and parts of 10, 11). Chemical oceanography (Chapters 5 and part of 11). Physical oceanography (Chapters 6-9 and parts of 10, 11). Biological oceanography (Chapters 12-15). Chapter-opening Feature Boxes- Highlight important aspects of the history of oceanography. "Students Sometimes Ask..." - Presents actual student questions along with author responses. Use of etymons (word origins)- Explains the origin of newly introduced terms. Use of the international metric system (SI units). Key terms in bold print.