Air-Sea Interaction

Upon the successful completion of the course, the student should be able to integrate knowledge of the thermodynamics and dynamics of the atmosphere, as well as of the basic processes occurring in the atmospheric boundary layer.  

More specifically, the student should: 

• Describe the vertical structure and the dynamics of the atmosphere.  

• Apply thermodynamics principles in order to define the stability of the atmosphere. 

• Apprehend the basic principles of radiation transfer in the atmosphere. 

• Apply the laws of classical mechanics to a geophysical fluid for the description of the atmospheric dynamics and the general circulation of the atmosphere. 

• Apprehend the basic physical processes responsible for the air-sea interaction. 

• Combine all aforementioned knowledge towards the solution of problems related to the atmospheric environment and the air-sea interface. 

The above learning outcomes are aligned to Level 6 of European Qualification Framework. 

• Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology  

• Adapting to new situations  

• Decision-making  

• Working independently  

• Team work 

• Working in an interdisciplinary environment  

• Production of new research ideas  

• Respect for the natural environment 

• Criticism and self-criticism  

• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking  

All of the above are aligned to Level 6 of European Qualification Framework.

Special emphasis is given to distinguish similarities and differences between the atmosphere and ocean, while an extra chapter is allocated to the examination of air-sea interaction processes. 

In more detail, the course covers the following topics: 

• Vertical structure and composition of the atmosphere 

• Thermodynamics and stability of the atmosphere 

• Radiation in the atmosphere 

• Atmospheric motions and circulation (Dynamics of the Atmosphere) 

• Clouds and precipitation, air-masses and fronts 

• Atmospheric boundary layer and air-sea interaction processes 

- Suggested bibliography: 

• Εισαγωγικά Μαθήματα στη Φυσική της Ατμόσφαιρας, Χρ. Ζερεφός, Παπασωτηρίου 2009, ISBN 978-960-7182-40-1. 

• Γενική Μετεωρολογία, Σαχσαμάνογλου Χ. Σ., Μακρογιάννης Τ. Ι., Ζήτη 1998, ISBN 960-431-443-2. 

• Εισαγωγή στην Φυσική της Ατμόσφαιρας και την Κλιματική Αλλαγή, Κατσαφάδος Π., Μαυροματίδης Η., Ελληνικά Ακαδημαϊκά Ηλεκτρονικά Συγγράμματα και Βοηθήματα - Αποθετήριο "Κάλλιπος", 2016, ISBN: 978-960-603-053-6. 

• Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey: J. Wallace and P. Hobbs, Academic Press, 2006. 

• Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment: C. D. Ahrens, Brooks/Cole, 2003. 

• Stull, R., 2017: "Practical Meteorology: An Algebra-based Survey of Atmospheric Science" -version 1.02b.  Univ. of British Columbia.  938 pages.  ISBN 978-0-88865-283-6. 

- Related academic journals: 

• Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, AMS, https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/publications/journals/journal-of-the-atmospheric-sciences/ 

• Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, AGU, http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/jgr/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2169-8996/  

• Atmospheric Research, Elsevier, https://www.journals.elsevier.com/atmospheric-research/