The Oceans: Their Physics, Chemistry and General Biology is an oceanographic textbook by Harald Sverdrup, Martin Johnson, and Richard Fleming. Originally written in 1942, it is commonly referred to as the first oceanographic textbook and fundamental in the history of the science. Chapters of the text outline and synthesize the sub-domains of oceanography: Biological, chemical, physical, and geological oceanography.
Table of contents Preface I. Introduction II. The Earth and the Ocean Basins III. Physical Properties of Sea Water IV: General Distribution of Temperature, Salinity, and Density V. Theory of Distribution of Variables in the Sea VI. Chemistry of Sea Water VII. Organisms and the Composition of Sea Water VIII. The Sea as a Biological Environment IX. Populations of the Sea X. Observations and Collections at Sea XI. General Character of Ocean Currents XII. Statics and Kinematics XIII. Dynamics of Ocean Currents XIV. Waves and Tides XV. The Water Masses and Currents of the Oceans XVI. Phytoplankton in Relation to Physical-Chemical Properties of the Environment XVII. Animals in Relation to Physical-Chemical Properties of the Environment XVIII. Interrelations of Marine Organisms XIX. Organic Production in the Sea XX. Marine Sedimentation Appendix Index
Reception The text was considered of such military importance during World War II that its distribution outside of the United States was forbidden until the war had ended. In 1945, George Deacon wrote that, the authors had "answered the demand for an up-to-date manual of oceanography."
External links Full text at UC Press E-Books Collection
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