98909 - ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC DYNAMICS

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

This course will define the basis of fluid dynamics for the atmosphere and the ocean. The student will learn how to intepret the terms in the fluid dynamics equations and understand the physical modelling of those terms. At the end of the course the student will be able to identify the main atmospheric and ocean circulation structures and learn the technique for their quantitative evaluation. It will learn how to deal with turbulence at different spatial scales.

Contenuti

This course is organized in 2 modules: module 1 (5 CFU) focuses on atmospheric dynamics and module 2 (4 CFU) in ocean dynamics.

Module 1 syllabus:

This module introduces atmospheric dynamics to first year Master students. The aim is to help students acquire an understanding of some of the basic concepts of atmospheric dynamics that will be needed as a foundation for advanced courses in climate and climate modelling. After an introduction on the atmospheric structure and the basic characteristics of large-scale atmospheric circulation, the equations with their approximations will be taught together with main concepts of circulation, vorticity and potential variables.

1. Decription of the state of the atmosphere
   1. Main features of atmospheric circulation
   2. Description of the vertical structure of the atmosphere
   3. Thermodynamics of the atmosphere introducing main variables in dry and wet atmosphere;
   4. Thermodynamics charts
2. Atmospheric observation tools:
   1. ground based instrumentation
   2. remote sensing instrumentation
   3. exmaples of network of instruments and analysis of features of atmospheric phenomena according to the temporal and spatial scale
3. Equations of Motion for the atmosphere and derivation of the Navier stokes equations:
   
   1. Hydrostatic balance
   2. Pressure gradient
   3. Viscous term
      
4. Continuity equation
5. Coordinates set for the atmosphere: pressure and isentropic coordinates and application to the main equations
6. The atmospheric boundary layer
   1. Ekman Layer
   2. Surface layer
   3. Turbulent flows and treatment of turbulence closure in the equations
   4. Air-sea interactions
7. Vorticity, Circulation and conservation properties for the atmospheric motion : main theorems
   
8. Barotropic and baroclinic instability
9. Quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity
10. Fronts and cyclones
    

Module 2 syllabus:

This module introduces ocean dynamics to first year Master students. The aim is to help students acquire an understanding of some of the basic concepts of ocean dynamics that will be needed as a foundation for advanced courses in physical oceanography. After an introduction on the oceans physical properties and the basic characteristics of large-scale ocean circulation, the equations with their approximations governing the observed characteristics will be taught.

1. Descriptive physical Oceanography
   1. Geography of the world’s oceans and major current systems
   2. Physical properties of the seawater and their distribution
   3. The forcing of the ocean circulation
2. Ocean Observations, Instrumentation and Experimentation:
   1. satellite
   2. in-situ: lagrangian/autonomous/moorings
   3. Observing the ocean acoustically
3. Equations of Motion for the ocean. From Navier-Stokes to Ocean Primitive Equations
   1. Reynolds
   2. Boussinesq
   3. Incompressible
   4. Hydrostatic
4. Boundary conditions
5. The planetary boundary layers and the Ekman currents
   1. Ekman Layers and the Ekman Spiral
   2. Ekman vertical velocity
   3. Upwelling/downwelling
6. Vorticity, Circulation and conservation properties

Testi/Bibliografia

Module 1

Lecture notes

Wallace and Hobbs: An Introductory Survey, 2006

Holton: Dynamic Meteorology, 2013

Vallis: Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics, 2006

Kaimal and Finnigan: Atmospheric boundary layer flows—their structure and measurement, 2004

Module 2

Talley, L., D., G.L.Pickard, W.J. Emery and J.H. Swift, 2011. Descriptive Physical Oceanography: An Introduction. Academic Press, Elsevier, ISBN: 978-0-7506-4552-2

Cushman-Roisin, B., Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Academic Press

Pinardi N., 2020. Notes in Physical Oceanography

Stewart R. Introduction to Physical Oceanography [http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/ocean410/ocng410_text_book.html] by Robert Stewart. Online text.

Gill, A.E., Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics, Academic Press, 1982.

Pedlosky J. Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. Springer-Verlag

Metodi didattici

All lectures are done in the classroom (all frontal lectures)

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The assessment will be carried out by an oral exam for both modules: the first topic will be chosen by the student, then the next two questions by the two teachers. The exam normally will be 45 minutes long.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

The lectures are given using both the PC and at the blackboard. Additional material is distributed through the web site "Virtual"

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Silvana Di Sabatino

Consulta il sito web di Paolo Oddo