How The Ocean Works: An Introduction To Oceanography

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The world's oceans account for roughly 71 percent of the planet's surface and 99 percent of its livable volume. Any study of this huge habitat requires a solid foundation in the principles that underlie marine biology and physical and chemical oceanography, yet until now undergraduate textbooks have largely presented compilations of facts rather than explanations of principles. How the Ocean Works fills this gap, providing a concise and accessible college-level introduction to marine science that is also ideal for general readers. How are winds and currents driven? What is the dilemma of the two-layered ocean? Mark Denny explains key concepts like these in rich and fascinating detail. He explores early scientific knowledge of oceans, photosynthesis, trophic interactions and energy flow, and the impacts of human activities on marine and atmospheric systems. Focusing each chapter on a major topic and carefully explaining the principles and theory involved, Denny gives readers the conceptual building blocks needed to develop a coherent picture of the living ocean. How the Ocean Works is an indispensable resource that teaches readers how to think about the ocean--its biology, mechanics, and conservation. Provides a concise, up-to-date introduction to marine science Develops the conceptual basis needed to understand how the ocean works Explains fundamental principles and theory Includes color illustrations and informative diagrams Serves as a college textbook and a reference for general readers

Paperback: 344 pages

Publisher: Princeton University Press (April 21, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 069112647X

ISBN-13: 978-0691126470

Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 0.8 x 9.9 inches

Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #335,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #120 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Oceans & Seas > Oceanography #237 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Ecosystems #525 in Books > Science & Math > Earth Sciences > Geology

This book is a textbook, but it is written in a converstaional, easy, readable style. But for those who want it, it also gets into the technical nitty gritty (or u can just skip the equations if u want). It is also a rare mix (as the author says was his aim in the intro) of physics, chemistry and biology. I wish I had bought it before I started off writing my own Ocean Surfaces book, but I 'll definitely be referencing the author in the next edition!Damon Ramsey, author of "Ecosystem Guides: Ocean Surfaces of Australasia"

The book is a well-written introduction to the science of oceanography. The author focuses on the modern ocean, largely omitting coverage of geologic history included in many introductory texts. The illustrations are primarily line drawings, carefully selected and in many cases redrawn specifically for this book. The text provides a clearly-presented view of the biological productivity of the ocean, including examples of exploitation and vulnerability to global change. The affordable price makes this an attractive choice as a textbook.

I first looked at an oceanography textbook, and it had a lot of interesting details, but what I really needed to know was how the ocean works. Mark Denny explains it as if we were having a conversation. Superb.

Hearing the author give an interesting and informative presentation for the lay person , "How Plants and Animals Survive Crashing Ocean Waves", at the Aspen Center for Physics motivated me to explore the field of oceanography in which I had no training or experience but which I had always wanted to learn more about. I believe a science afficionado who wishes to become acquainted with the physics, chemistry, geology and biology of the oceans that cover so much of our planet will appreciate professor Denny's introduction to the field. Readers with a mathematical bent will appreciate the formulas in the appendices that were used to calculate and describe scientific findings presented in the various chapters of the text.

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