Top 10 Oceanography Books
The term oceanography is defined as the field of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the ocean. The study of oceanography includes vast oceans’ history, present situation, and its future conditions as well. The study comprises of drastic climatic changes, fluctuating pollution level, erosion of the coastal line, extinction of marine life all affect ocean life etc.
Oceanography does not only consist of information about study and research. It indeed gives information to help people make better choices about the decisions which affect the health of the ocean. This important informative knowledge of oceanography help humans use the sea and its resources for various purposes.
This article consists of 10 best oceanography books (in no particular order) which will be of great use to the readers who are interested in this topic.
Following are the best oceanography books (in no particular order):
1. Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science: 9th Edition
This book is developed with the help of the National Geography Society and is written by Tom S. Garrison, a renowned personality in the field of oceanography. The main focus of the book is on the complexities and uncertainties about several oceanic activities. It explains the reader various roles and importance of the ocean in nurturing and sustaining life on earth. The book gives a brief study of the subject by the Researchers, Tom Garrison and Robert Ellis.
The book also covers various details about the several climatic changes throughout the years and its effect in the ocean.
One of the chapters in the book which is called primary producers includes photosynthetic and chemosynthetic producers. These terms help in better understanding of marine biology along with oceanography.
- Hardcover Book
- Garrison, Tom S. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 640 Pages - 01/01/2015 (Publication Date) - Cengage Learning (Publisher)
2. Essentials of Oceanography (12th Edition)
This book gives a geological, chemical, biological, and physical approach to the subject of oceanography. It provides readers with proper guidance about the complexities which occurred beneath the ocean. It engages the reader with the help of an interdisciplinary approach with a unique writing style.
The book discusses in-depth, the various components and processes of oceanic activities. Some of the concepts which are difficult to understand are described beautifully with the help of art and interactive study. This helps to keep the readers engaged and interested in the book.
Written by a renowned person, the author has been awarded many distinguished faculty awards. This book is written by Al Trujillo and it gives a direct reflection of the author’s ability which creates a narrative around the subject matter.
- Trujillo, Alan P. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 624 Pages - 02/01/2016 (Publication Date) - Pearson (Publisher)
3. Investigating Oceanography 2nd Edition
This is an introductory book to the field of oceanography and it intends to brief people about the climatic changes and the tremendous influence the ocean has on the lives of the people on earth.
Written by Keith Sverdrup, this book gives the readers a good amount of knowledge on various notions about the historical, geological, physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the ocean environment, along with images and the photos which make the book more interesting.
The book gives a basic concept to the students who are interested in marine science with information concerning the marine issues which are affecting our planet. It also consists of some articles written by scientists to give a detailed description of this field to the readers.
- Sverdrup, Keith (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 512 Pages - 01/06/2016 (Publication Date) - McGraw Hill (Publisher)
4. Essentials of Oceanography 8th Edition
This book by Tom S Garrison and Robert Ellis introduces the readers to various complexities and uncertain climatic conditions which are faced in the ocean as a result of various activities. This book tells us about the different activities which occurred beneath the ocean lines and how important it is to nurture and sustain this life as well.
The book contains some of the very exclusive and informative content from the National Geographic Society. This book shows the complexity and beauty of the ocean in a way that is very compelling and relatable. This book gives a very brief introduction about the field of oceanography to the readers.
- Garrison, Tom S. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 325 Pages - 01/01/2017 (Publication Date) - Cengage Learning (Publisher)
5. Introduction to Physical Oceanography 3rd Edition
This book written by John Knassu is a balance between purely descriptive texts and mathematical text. It keeps a wide range of various researches by several marine scientists and delivers valuable updates that highlight the book’s resourceful presentation and concise effectiveness.
The book covers the author’s work about historical oceanography and gives the reader a perspective that the world Ocean is deteriorating and it needs some help from the people. It brings attention to the people about the essential pressures, for example, the transfer of heat across the Ocean sources, the distribution of temperature and salinity, and the effect of earth’s rotation on the sun.
It provides a sensible and well-defined explanation of the rules which is played by the oceans and offers some very interesting topics such as the major ocean currents, tides, waves, coastal oceans, semi-enclosed seas and sound, and optics.
- John A. Knauss (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 310 Pages - 11/29/2016 (Publication Date) - Waveland Pr Inc (Publisher)
6. Introducing Oceanography (Introducing Earth and Environmental Sciences)
This book is written by Thomas and George Browers and it gives a detailed development in the study of ocean science, along with improved understanding of the key role oceans play in the system of planets. It also gives a brief description of how vital climatic change can affect the ocean.
It is seen that humans depend on the oceans for a variety of resources but also at the same time it can be seen that due to their continuous activities the ocean’s resources have been depleting over the years.
This book has been written by two most important oceanographers in this field and it provides an overview of the science of the study of the series which will help the students and also interested readers who want a topical guide to this complex subject.
The book initially starts with chapters that describe the ocean and the forces that work within them. Later on, it can be seen how the ocean is affected by the change in light, the chemistry of the seas, and the food web for surveying the biological oceanography in the mean regions. In the end, we see the chapters talk about the methodology of the oceanic study.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Thomas (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 160 Pages - 09/20/2012 (Publication Date) - Dunedin Academic Press (Publisher)
7. Descriptive Physical Oceanography: An Introduction 6th Edition
This book is written by Lynne D. Talley and it gives a proper introduction to descriptive physical oceanography for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. It gives a great emphasis on a large scale on the topic of oceanography and is basically based on observations with topics related to waves and coastal oceanography.
Some of the other topics which include all the physical properties of seawater, heat and cold budget, instrumentation, data analysis methods, introductory dynamics, oceanography, and climatic variability of different oceans.
It also gives a very brief introduction to the physical setting of waves and coastal oceanography. There are some new chapters that talk about global ocean circulation and some introductory chapters which talk about different ocean dynamics.
- Hardcover Book
- Talley, Lynne D. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 564 Pages - 01/15/2011 (Publication Date) - Academic Press (Publisher)
8. Oceanography and Seamanship
The author William Van Dorn through this book attempts to explain the ocean as an operating environment in simple terms. The book basically talks about how a sailor needs to prepare his trip to make it a safe one. In the starting chapters, the author describes the oceans’ geographical, circulation, climate, and logical concept.
The author talks about waves to breakers and also talks about various ship dynamics, two strategies for the heavy weather, and emergency procedures. This book covers a very rich concept about the dynamics of the sea and explains how oceanography and seamanship are interlinked.
It is an outstanding resource for both recreational sailors and also for maritime professionals. This book has been used as a reference in many maritime academies. It has gained immense popularity among commercial fishermen, charter boat operators, and shipping companies.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- William Van Dorn (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 456 Pages - 07/30/2009 (Publication Date) - Cornell Maritime Press (Publisher)
9. Ocean Studies: Introduction to Oceanography
This book by Joseph M. Moran talks about how to select studies that explore the role of the ocean in the earth with special emphasis on the floor and transformation to water and energy.
It also talks about how the ocean is affected by the physical and chemical properties of the water, circulation, marine life and habitats, interaction between the oceans, and several more compliments.
This book provides a physical, chemical, geological, and biological foundation for the understanding of the ocean Nick world. This book also covers the various human impacts which the ocean has been affected by.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Ocean Studies: Introduction to Oceanography (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 04/19/2024 (Publication Date) - Boston, American Meteorological Society (Publisher)
10. Invitation to Oceanography 7th Edition
This book is written by Paul R. Pinet. and it is an excellent guide to interested students of oceanography who seek knowledge in the traditional as well as modern approaches. It covers four major sectors of oceanic study which are geology, chemistry, physics, and biology.
It covers many trending contents such as climatic change, hurricane, superstorm, the tsunami which occurred in Japan. This book has several new concepts and supports knowledge. It also has additional information on the current oceanic research. This edition is an ideal resource for the readers who want to dive into the thrilling depths of oceanic study.
- Jones Bartlett Publishers
- Pinet, Paul R. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 662 Pages - 10/17/2014 (Publication Date) - Jones & Bartlett Learning (Publisher)
This is not an exhaustive list but it helps to guide the students and other interested readers who wish to pursue more knowledge in this field of oceanic study. These books have been carefully chosen after much research and study.
Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.
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