20 Terms
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Physical oceanography
The scientific study of the physical conditions and processes related to the motions and physical properties of ocean currents and waters.
Industry: Earth science
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Physical oceanography
Obligate chemotroph
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A species of phytoplankton that has no photosynthetic pigments and cannot photosynthesize, as opposed to facultative chemotrophs.
Strait of Hormuz
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A strait joining the Persian Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the east. It is located at about 56° E and 27° N.
Knot
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A speed of 1 nautical mph. It is equal to 1.15 mph or 1.85 kph and used in navigation and meteorology.
Grey ice
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A type of sea ice defined by the WMO as: Young ice 10–15 cm thick. Less elastic than nilas and breaks on swell. Usually rafts under pressure.
Pack ice
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A type of sea ice defined by the WMO as: Term used in a wide sense to include any area of sea ice, other than fast ice, no matter what form it takes or how it is disposed. Pack ice is described as ...
North Atlantic Subpolar Mode Water
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A type of Subpolar ModeWater that forms in the North Atlantic. North Atlantic SPMW is a dense, cool (8–10°C) pycnostad spreading northwards past Ireland and turning westwards through the Iceland and ...
Southeast Indian Subantarctic Mode Water (SEISAMW)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A type of Subantarctic Mode Water formed in the southeastern Indian Ocean south of Australia. It is the dominant mode of ventilation for the Indian Ocean, leading to a subsurface oxygen maximum layer ...
