OCN331

• Goals: Qualitative & Quantitative• Joint Commitment re OCN331• Reading Materials—On-Line• Lectures & Discussions

– Rec. read chapters; – Access/bring PwrPt to class– Additional [timely] readings

• Examinations:Q30%, MT25%, F45%• Ethics

OCN331

• http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/oceanography/courses_html/OCN331/index.html

• Dr. Paul BienfangPhone: 956-7402Office: MSB 606email: bienfang@soest.hawaii.edu

• Dr. Hank Trapido-RosenthalPhone 956-9418Office: POST 105Email: rosenthl@hawaii.edu

OCN331

• How do the oceans make fish?

• How do we extract fish from the oceans?

• What other living resources do the world’s oceans hold?

• Why do we care?

In The Beginning…

I. The Universe Begins with a Bang15 billion years ago

II. Our Sun Forms5 billion years ago

III. The Earth Forms4.5 billion years ago

IV. First Signs of Life on Earth3.8 billion years ago - chemicals3.4 billion years ago - microbial

fossils

The Ancient Atmosphere and Ocean

I. The Earth Before Photosynthesis4.5 - 3.5 billion years ago

II. Marine Microbes Generate OxygenStarting 3.5 billion years ago

III. The Oceans Rust3.5 - 2.0 billion years ago

IV. An Oxygenic Atmosphere Evolves2.0 - 0.5 billion years ago

Atmospheric Oxygen

I. Stays between 15% and 35%

II. Below 15% - no such thing as fire

III. Above 35% - spontaneous combustion ofmost organic matter

CO2 concentrations have been much higher

And, CO2 concentrations have fluctuated

And, CO2 concentrations have fluctuated

Low CO2 concentrations = ice age

High CO2 concentrations = interglacial

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations since the year 1000 AD estimated from

ice core data and monitoring of CO2 at Mauna Loa.

Some Wind and Current Fundamentals

I. Effect of Differential Heating on Atmospheric Circulation

II. The Coriolis Effect

III. Trade Winds and Westerlies

IV. Air-Sea Interactions

V. El Niño

Some effects of atmospheric circulation cells

Some effects of atmospheric circulation cells

Dry climate and high pressure in the vicinity of 30o latitude

Some effects of atmospheric circulation cells

Wet climate and low pressure in the vicinity of the equator and 60o latitude

Dry climate and high pressure in the vicinity of 30o latitude

Coriolis Effect I

In the Northern Hemisphere:

Things moving north curve east

Things moving west curve north

Things moving south curve west

Things moving east curve south

Deflection is to the RIGHT

Coriolis Effect II

In the Northern Hemisphere:

Air flowing FROM an area of high pressure curves to the right

Air flowing TOWARDS an area of low pressure curves to the right

Deflection is to the RIGHT

Coriolis Effect III

Honolulu: 21.3 N

Honolulu: 21.3 N

Bermuda: 32.3 N

Honolulu: 21.3 N

Bermuda: 32.3 N

Lima: 12 S

153045607590

10

20

30

40

50

60Bermuda in the Age of Exploration

Gulf Stream

Westerlies

N E Trades

Bermuda

UW-CIMSS23 Aug 95GOES -8Infrared Band 5

Humberto

Iris

Jerry

Hurricane Fabian

But remember …

Hurricanes aren’t all bad!

Honolulu: 21.3 N

Bermuda: 32.3 N

Lima: 12 S

OCEANIC GYRES

Open Ocean Fisheries

Coastal Zone Fishery

Upwelling Area Fisheries

There are several major coastal upwelling regions in the world, including those along the coasts of California and Mauritania in the northern hemisphere…

… and Peru and Namibia in the southern hemisphere.

Effects of Walker Cell circulation

Wet climate and low pressure at the western margin of the ocean basin near the equator

Dry weather and high pressure at the eastern margin of the ocean basin near the equator. Note that this is contrary to the effect expected from Hadley cell circulation.

Southern Oscillation Index

The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is a measure of the pressure differential between the southeastern Pacific (high pressure) and the western Pacific near the equator (low pressure). It is commonly taken to be the pressure differential between Easter Island and Darwin, Australia.

Because this pressure differential results from the circulation of the atmosphere, it is a convenient proxy for the intensity of atmospheric circulation and the strength of the Trade Winds.

Variations in Atmospheric Pressure (top) and Sea Surface Temperature (bottom) for Coastal Peru

I. High atmospheric pressure at 30° N and 30° S latitude governs major wind patterns

II. The Coriolis Effect deflects winds and currents to the RIGHT in the Northern Hemisphere

and to the LEFT in the Southern Hemisphere

III. These wind and current phenomena generate coastal UPWELLING of deep ocean water

IV. Variations in the strength of these winds andcurrents can lead to conditions (EL NIÑO)that disrupt upwelling

Things to Remember