Ε5208 - APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHY

INSTRUCTORS

COURSE KEY ELEMENTS

COURSE CONTENT:

Α. Theoretical Part:

• Introduction to environmental oceanography and the methodologies (means and instruments) of coastal research (e.g., projection systems, hydrographic charts, topography, ship positioning methods, satellite oceanography).
• Coastal hydrodynamics with emphasis on the coastal zone: wave conditions, coastal currents of wave origin. Application: Example of application of coastal hydrodynamic model.
• Dynamic sedimentology - morphodynamics: Sediment characteristics, dynamics (movement) of bottom sediments, sediment transport, morphodynamic characteristics of coastal zones. Application/ Labour market link: coastal engineering investigation of coastal engineering projects related to the protection and enrichment of coastal zones.
• Applied Underwater Sedimentology and Morphology: Methods of mapping bathymetry, seafloor morphology and seafloor habitat identification, subottom geophysical investigations, geological infrastructure. Application/ Link to the labour market: Geotechnical studies of protection works, submarine volcanoes, cables and pipelines, shipwrecks, ancient monuments.
• Satellite Oceanography: marine remote sensing, principles and methods of processing satellite images, uses and applications in the marine environment. Application/ Linking to the labour market: Use of Satellite Imagery in the Coastal System.
• Marine pollution: sources of pollutants in the marine environment, classification of pollutants, effects of pollutants on the marine environment, pollution response, sediment loading. Application/ with labour market: Examples of marine pollution/ examples of marine pollution/ decontamination studies from the Greek and global area.
• Marine resources: Categories of Natural Resources, Geographical Distribution of Resources, Exploitation of the Marine Environment, Global Status of Reserves. Application: Example of Natural Resource Exploitation in the Greek Area.
• Uses of the ocean: Shipping, safety, security, marine facilities, marine engineering, waste disposal, military use, etc.
• International Maritime Law: International Conventions (UNCLOS), Maritime Zones, Seabed. Example of EEZ delimitation.
• European and Greek Legislation: Marine Strategy Directive, marine spatial planning, environmental impact studies. Implementation: Examples of implementation or non-implementation of the legislation in the Greek Territory.
• Integrated coastal zone management: Coastal changes, anthropogenic interventions, measures to protect beaches and coasts from erosion, coastal ecosystems, enhancement and protection of coastal cultural heritage, coastal (marine and terrestrial) management protocols, protected areas, existing framework for ICZM. Implementation: Example of Implementation Integrated management in a coastal area.

B. Practical and Laboratory Exercises:

• Hydrographic Chart Interpretation, Distance and Speed Units, Route Tracking, Position and Depth Determination
• Wave Time Series Analysis
• Sediment Size Granulometric Analysis
• Sediment mobility (sedimentation, resuspension, sediment transport in the marine environment, Interpretation of coastal hydrodynamic model results
• Morphodynamic characteristics and assessment of longitudinal coastal sediment transport
• Acoustic methods in seabed and sub-bottom profiling
• Application of Remote Sensing in Oceanographic Research
• Marine water and sediment quality related to pollution
• Preparing a response study in case of extensive pollution of the marine environment: Causes, methods of response, impacts on the marine environment and human beings.
• Environmental Impact Assessment of coastal areas of special interest in cases such as areas of high erosion, cultural heritage, protected area (NATURA).
• Work plan: Economic Exploitation of the Marine Environment (e.g. EEZ delimitation dispute, case of exploitation of a deposit)

C. Fieldwork

Visit to the Oceanographic Vessel Aegean (HCMR), Demonstration of Instruments - Sampling method. Application of field work / sampling.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES - TEACHING METHODS:

PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA

The assessment process is conducted in Greek (there is the possibility of examination in English for Erasmus students).

Ι. LECTURES

• In the theoretical part the grade is based on the written examination which includes responding in 10 questions (50% of the total grade)

IΙ. LABORATORY EXERCISES (50% of the total grade)

In the practical part:

• Students' performance in the Laboratory exercises (Practical Exercises and Work Plans) and in the Oral Presentation of a Work Plan is assessed. The evaluation criteria include the consistency of the delivery of the Exercises and the degree of achievement of the objectives, while, in particular, in the Work Plans (Written Exercises & Oral Presentation), the methodology followed, the originality of the approach to the topic, the quality of the sources chosen and, the ability to work in a team and the ability to work in a team. In this case, the grade is an examination exemption.

Alternatively:

• In case of inconsistency in the delivery of the Laboratory Exercises the student is directed to a Written Examination with development of short theoretical questions / multiple choice questions / solution of short exercises

RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Course textbooks:

• Applied Environmental Oceanography. Σ. Πούλος & Α. Καρδιτσά, Εκδόσεις Δίσιγμα, Θεσσαλονίκη, 2020.
• Σημειώσεις Μαθήματος Εφαρμοσμένης Περιβαλλοντικής Oceanographyς: Εφαρμοσμένη Oceanography & Περιβάλλον. Σ. Πούλος & Α. Καρδιτσά

Selected Bibliography from Related Scientific Journals:

• Journal of Coastal Management

Additional Reading Material

• Βελεγράκης Α. Σημειώσεις Δυναμικής Ιζημάτων. Τμήμα Επιστημών Θάλασσας, Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου.
• Βελεγράκης Α., 2016. Παράκτια Γεωλογία. Τμήμα Επιστημών Θάλασσας, Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου.
• Νικολάου Α., 2006. Σημειώσεις Θαλάσσιαw Περιβαλλοντικήw Geochemistryς. Τμήμα Επιστημών Θάλασσας, Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου.
• Παπαθεοδώρου Γ., 2001. Marine Geology (Σημειώσεις). Τμήμα Γεωλογίας, Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών.
• Παπαθεοδώρου Γ., 2012. Περιβαλλοντική Oceanography. Τμήμα Γεωλογίας, Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών.
• Πούλος Σ., 2008. Εφαρμοσμένη Oceanography & Περιβάλλον (Σημειώσεις). Τμήμα Γεωλογίας & Γεωπεριβάλλοντος, ΕΚΠΑ.
• Φερεντίνος Γ., 1985. Τεχνική Oceanography, Τόμος (Ι), Βυθομετρία- Μορφολογία- Γεωλογία.
• Φερεντίνος Γ., 2002. Μηχανική των Ωκεανών. Τμήμα Γεωλογίας, Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών. Τμήμα Επιστημών Θάλασσας, Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου.
• Χασιώτης Θ. Σημειώσεις Θαλάσσιας Ιζηματολογίας. Τμήμα Επιστημών Θάλασσας, Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου.

¹ V.S.: Visitor Students (e.g. ERASMUS)