Oceanography of the Mediterranean

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should: 

• know and apprehend subjects covering current research activities in the Oceanography of the Mediterranean 

• become familiar with updated scientific issues  

• learn about recent research results of the wider oceanographic community  

• The assignment/presentation required aims to stimulate the student’s critical ability to compare and evaluate the different approaches and published research results. 

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.

The course covers various oceanic processes characterizing the functioning of the Mediterranean Sea. 

More specifically, the topics examined are the following: 

1. Mediterranean forcing: air-sea exchanges and the thermohaline circulation 

2. Buoyancy exchanges in the Aegean Sea: the role of the Dardanelles Straits 

3. Numerical simulations of physical processes in the Aegean Sea 

4. Evolution of the Mediterranean deep waters – scenarios and processes 

5. Mediterranean mean sea level: observations and future projections 

6. Biogeochemical processes of the Mediterranean Sea 

7. The Mediterranean Sea ecosystem 

8. Mediterranean paleoceanography topics 

9. Processes at the straits and their role on the Mediterranean. 

- Suggested bibliography: 

•  (i)  lecture slides, and (ii) a series of scientific articles related to the topic covered in the class. 

- Related academic journals: 

• Progress in Oceanography - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/progress-in-oceanography 

• Marine Chemistry - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/marine-chemistry 

• Biogeosciences - https://www.biogeosciences.net/ 

• Journal of Marine Systems - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-marine-systems 

• Continental Shelf Research - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/continental-shelf-research 

• Global Biogeochemical Cycles - http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1944-9224/  

• Journal of Physical Oceanography - https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/publications/journals/journal-of-physical-oceanography/  

• Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans - http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/jgr/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2169-9291/  

• Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/deep-sea-research-part-i-oceanographic-research-papers 

• Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography - https://www.journals.elsevier.com/deep-sea-research-part-ii-topical-studies-in-oceanography