MAR 561: Mesoscale & Submesoscale Ocean - spring

Prerequisite: MAR 555 or permission of instructor

Study of mesoscale and submesoscale ocean dynamics that drive upper-ocean circulation, mixing, and biogeochemical fluxes. Starting with geostrophic theory at scales of 100¿200 km, explore ageostrophic processes at smaller scales (0.1¿50 km) such as frontogenesis and mixed-layer eddies. Using case studies, observational data, remote sensing, and high-resolution simulations, connect these processes to nutrient transport, anthropogenic material transport, and impacts on marine ecosystems. The course emphasizes linking physical oceanography with interdisciplinary applications in marine science, fostering a comprehensive understanding of submesoscale oceanographic phenomena.