Chapter 1. Introduction to Descriptive Physical Oceanography
Chapter 2. Ocean Dimensions, Shapes, and Bottom Materials
Chapter 3. Physical Properties of Seawater
Chapter 4. Typical Distributions of Water Characteristics
Chapter 5. Mass, Salt, and Heat Budgets and Wind Forcing
Chapter 6. Data Analysis Concepts and Observational Methods
Chapter 7. Dynamical Processes for Descriptive Ocean Circulation
Chapter 8. Gravity Waves, Tides, and Coastal Oceanography
Chapter 9. Atlantic Ocean
Chapter 10. Pacific Ocean
Chapter 11. Indian Ocean
Chapter 12. Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas
Chapter 13. Southern Ocean
Chapter 14. Global Circulation and Water Properties

Descriptive Physical Oceanography, Sixth Edition, provides an introduction to the field with an emphasis on large-scale oceanography based mainly on observations. Topics covered include the physical properties of seawater, heat and salt budgets, instrumentation, data analysis methods, introductory dynamics, oceanography and climate variability of each of the oceans and of the global ocean, and brief introductions to the physical setting, waves, and coastal oceanography.

This updated version contains ocean basin descriptions, including ocean climate variability, emphasizing dynamical context; new chapters on global ocean circulation and introductory ocean dynamics; and a new companion website containing PowerPoint figures, lecture and study guides, and practical exercises for analyzing a global ocean data set using Java OceanAtlas.

This text is ideal for undergraduates and graduate students in marine sciences and oceanography.