| Applied oceanography and dynamics of ecosystems
(objectives)
With the affirmation in international law of the "Exclusive Economic Zone" concept, and with the adoption of ecological protection areas, Italy has to face the problem of protecting the marine environment from a different perspective, which consider not only the coastal areas but also the offshore zones. In this perspective the continental shelf shall be considered an extension of the national territories where hydrocarbons, materials for the ceramic industry, glass industry, metallurgy are extracted and fishing, mariculture and tourism are practiced. Moreover, there is concentrated a growing maritime traffic and almost all the marine engineering works. The coastal marine domain is characterized on one side by physical and ecological conditions that favor life, and on the other side by the multiple uses of the spaces that generate a high conflict between human activities. The new European strategy of "Blue Growth" also explicitly defines the criteria for the sustainable management of maritime spaces and the monitoring of marine ecosystems through analysis of ecosystem services and an integrated approach that provides in situ observations, forecasting models and remote sensing data.
Because the common asset of the sea, an interdisciplinary approach to the marine management in its most general sense is of primary importance, with expertise in meteorology, oceanography, geology and biology.
Expected learning outcomes:
1) Knowledge and understanding:
Having developed knowledge and understanding of the components of marine ecosystems, from pelagic to coastal, necessary for the evaluation of possible sources of anthropogenic disturbance and alteration of the marine ecosystem, at different spatial and temporal scales.
Having developed the ability to study and analyze the various issues concerning the marine environment with which the student will be able to independently deal with the various activities and interventions in public institutions and in the private field.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding:
Experimental approach to the study of marine ecosystems and the study of their possible alterations through the use of the main sampling techniques and analysis methodologies presented during the lectures and carried out during the didactic exercises.
3) Making judgments:
To be able to evaluate and deal with the study of the different issues concerning the marine, oceanic and coastal environment presented during the course with adequate skills, competences and a critical sense.
4) Communication skills;
Being able to master the main issues addressed during the course with a correct scientific language.
5) Ability to learn (learning skills).
To be able to apply the knowledge acquired, during lectures and exercises, to cases that require the integration of the topics covered during the course.
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Code
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118912 |
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Language
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ITA |
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Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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7
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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BIO/07
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Contact Hours
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48
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Exercise Hours
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8
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Type of Activity
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Core compulsory activities
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Teacher
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MARCELLI Marco
(syllabus)
The role and importance of seas and oceans.
Part I: Oceanic and ecological dynamics and their spatial and temporal scales
Elements of geography and representation of the earth's surface, hints of morphology and evolution of the ocean floor. Origin of the sea and oceans and properties of marine waters. Elements of chemistry, physics and dynamics of the seas and oceans.
The boundary conditions and the influence of the continental environment on the coastal marine system.
Coastal morphology and dynamics.
Marine, oceanic and coastal habitats. The zoning of the benthos and the Mediterranean benthic biocoenoses: the classifications of Perès Picard and Riedl.
Vertical and horizontal distribution of oceanographic and ecological quantities. Marine ecological dynamics: biogeochemical cycles, ecological successions. Spatial and temporal scales of the physical and ecological dynamics of marine and oceanic environments: phenomena and processes at micro, meso and macro scale.
Part II: Renewable and non-renewable resources, uses of the coastal strip
The concept of natural resource. Marine, renewable resources (fisheries and aquaculture, renewable energies
marine) and non-renewable (mining and quarrying activities in the coastal and offshore areas). The use of the sea and the coastal strip. Categories and classification of uses.
Part III: The problems of the coastal strip, marine pollution and deposition environments.
Principles of protection and conservation of the marine environment. Marine environment management tools.
Pollution in the coastal marine environment: contamination and deposition environments.
Classification, fate and cycle of pollutants.
The problem of coastal erosion and the concept of physiographic unit. Coastal morphotypes. Beach dynamics and nourishment.
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification, alteration of the trophic structure, alteration of the biocoenoses.
Human time scales and anthropogenic impact scales. Residence time. Climate changes.
Sustainable development, natural capital valuation and other management tools. Outline of marine environmental protection legislation.
Case histories on different themes and at different spatial and temporal scales.
Part IV: Platforms and measuring instruments. Sampling equipment. Experimental methods.
The problem of measurement and sampling scales. The definition of the sampling plan and the identification of the variables to be measured: the descriptors of the marine environment. Problems related to environmental monitoring.
Data acquisition platforms and systems and their relative spatial and temporal scales (oceanographic vessels, satellites and airplanes, towed and autonomous underwater vehicles, oceanographic buoys, beacons and stations, ARGOs and drift buoys).
Measuring instruments and methods: physico-chemical characteristics and optical properties of sea water; direct and indirect measurements of biomass and primary production; dynamic characteristics. Acoustic instruments: active (depth; ecological and geomorphological characteristics of the seabed) and passive (sounds and noise).
Equipment and methods for sampling, storage and transport of samples: sea water, phyto and zooplankton, bottom sediments, benthos. Laboratory equipment and methods in marine ecology. Direct investigation methods using a diver.
Part V: Data analysis and mathematical models.
Data structure; instruments calibration; errors, their causes, data filtering techniques.
Statistical data analysis. Methods of data analyses. Databases and GIS. International sharing of datasets.
Theory and application of mathematical models. Limits and development possibilities.
(reference books)
Course notes by Prof. Marco Marcelli available on Unitus Moodle (https://moodle.unitus.it).
Recommended reference texts:
• Mann, Kenneth Henry, and John RN Lazier. Dynamics of marine ecosystems: biological-physical interactions in the oceans. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
• TRUJILLO, A. P.; THURMAN, H. V. Introductory Oceanography. 2007.
• Danovaro, Roberto. Biologia marina: biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini. Città studi edizioni, 2013.
Other didactic material will be provided during the course, consisting of articles and publications.
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
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Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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