Course

Ocean Circulation and Mixing. - ZPEM3401

Faculty: UNSW Canberra at ADFA

School: School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences @ UNSW Canberra at ADFA

Course Outline: ZPEM3401 Course Outline

Campus: UNSW Canberra at ADFA

Career: Undergraduate

Units of Credit: 6

EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)

Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 5

Enrolment Requirements:

Prerequisite: ZPEM2401 and ZPEM2506

CSS Contribution Charge: 2 (more info)

Tuition Fee: See Tuition Fee Schedule

Further Information: See Class Timetable

View course information for previous years.

Description

This course examines the dynamics of large-scale wind-driven ocean currents. The course aims to explain why there is a broad equator-ward flow in all the major ocean basins, except the Southern Ocean, and why there are strong, poleward-flowing boundary currents such as the Gulf Stream and the East Australia Current on the western boundaries. The production of turbulence in the oceans and its role in mixing is also examined. The discussion of mixing in the ocean normally includes Kolmogoroff and Batchelor lengths, molecular mixing and diffusive boundary layers; the logarithmic boundary layer and mixing lengths; vertical mixing by wind and tidal stirring; dispersion in the ocean, its measurement, and the Taylor mechanism.
Oceanography

Study Levels

UNSW Quick Links