General Studies I · Subtopic
Oceanography
Official syllabus
Salient features of world’s physical geography.
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What this covers
Oceanography examines ocean-basin form, seawater properties, marine movement and ocean-atmosphere-land interaction. Study temperature, salinity and density before analysing waves, tides, surface currents, deep circulation, upwelling and downwelling. Relate ocean motion to wind, rotation, gravity, basin geometry and density differences, and then to heat redistribution, nutrient supply, weather, climate, coasts and marine ecosystems.
Key ideas
- Ocean basins and relief
- Temperature salinity and density
- Waves and coastal energy
- Tides and gravitational forcing
- Surface currents and gyres
- Thermohaline circulation
- Upwelling downwelling and productivity
- Ocean-atmosphere and coastal interactions