Illustrated Handbook of Ocean Science

People enjoy the beauty of the ocean and the bounty of its waters, but may not understand that their everyday actions – boating, construction, improper waste disposal, and ignoring protected areas can impact the ocean and its resources. Long-term planning for growth, development and use of coastal areas is the key to the continued life of the ocean. The oceans, however, are vast and largely inaccessible, and our awareness and understanding of them are correspondingly small. What’s more, they have hardly any advocates or lobby to represent their interests. This is especially remarkable when we consider that the seas crucially influence our climate and are an increasingly important source of food.

Illustrated Handbook of Ocean Science addresses a balanced, introductory treatment of all of the major areas of oceanographic studies including geological, physical, chemical, and biological aspects, ocean-atmosphere interactions, marine geology, and marine resources. It covers topical issues including pollution and exploitation, and considers how we can ensure a sustainable future for the world’s oceans.

Humankind has been profoundly influenced by the ocean. Its waters and floor are rich in physical and biological resources. It provides employment for millions of people, acts as a transport route for much of the world’s commerce, and accepts vast quantities of waste. Perhaps most of all, it inspires our spirit of adventure and imagination. Sailors, divers, surfers, anyone who has gazed out to sea and wondered know the special sense of awe that the ocean can induce. Readers will observe that many of the topics covered in the various chapters focus on humankind’s use and overexploitation of the marine environment. This apparently infinite resource has become finite, as the state of the oceans gives frequent cause for concern. The outlook on possible developments and consequences of further overexploitation and pollution of the marine environment sadly only reinforces our concern and highlights the important role that preventive research in the field of marine sciences has to play for the future of humankind.
This Illustrated Handbook of Ocean Science provides a comprehensive review of this exciting technology, from the fundamental science to systems design, development and applications.

The past one hundred years of ocean science have been distinguished by dramatic milestones, remarkable discoveries, and major revelations. This book is a clear and lively survey of many of these amazing findings.