Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
1. To introduce the physical laws governing flow and transport in air, water and soils.
2. To introduce physical tools to analyse observations from monitoring networks in atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere.
3. To introduce elements of the radiative balance of the planet Earth and the role of atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere in the energy balance.
4. To introduce notions about geophysical measures.
2. To introduce physical tools to analyse observations from monitoring networks in atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere.
3. To introduce elements of the radiative balance of the planet Earth and the role of atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere in the energy balance.
4. To introduce notions about geophysical measures.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Ability to read and understand scientific papers and technical reports dealing with the physical aspects of the dynamics of atmosphere, cryosphere and hydrosphere.
2. Ability to design models of flow and transport (mass balance, energy balance, solute transport, etc.) in atmosphere, cryosphere and hydrosphere.
3. Ability to critically analyse the results of monitoring physical quantities in atmosphere, cryosphere and hydrosphere.
4. Ability to perform geophysical measurements and ability to analyse the collected data.
2. Ability to design models of flow and transport (mass balance, energy balance, solute transport, etc.) in atmosphere, cryosphere and hydrosphere.
3. Ability to critically analyse the results of monitoring physical quantities in atmosphere, cryosphere and hydrosphere.
4. Ability to perform geophysical measurements and ability to analyse the collected data.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1. Water cycle and water properties:
a) A brief introduction to water cycle and general characteristics (composition, vertical structure, etc.) of Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Cryosphere;
b) Physical properties of water.
2. Basic principles of environmental/geophysical fluid dynamics:
a) Divergence, gradient, curl;
b) Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches to fluids motion;
c) Mass conservation and continuity equation;
d) Viscous fluid in a rotating reference frame;
e) Scale analysis for atmosphere and oceans; geostrophic and hydrostatic approximation and application to atmospheric motions;
f) Shallow Ice Approximation for the dynamics of ice caps;
g) Groundwater flow equations (fluid flow in porous media, Darcy's law, hydraulic head).
3. Energy balance and heat equation: conduction, convection, radiation, evapotranspiration.
4. Atmosphere thermodynamics: State equation for dry and moist air, hydrostatic and hypsometric equations. First principle, adiabatic transformations and lapse rate. Static stability of dry and wet air and vertical motions; thermodynamic diagrams.
5. Atmospheric general circulation.
6. Ocean circulation:
a) Thermo-haline circulation;
b) Wind driven circulation (Eckman layer);
c) Main oceanic currents;
d) Main circulation features in the Mediterranean Sea;
e) Tides;
f) Waves.
a) A brief introduction to water cycle and general characteristics (composition, vertical structure, etc.) of Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Cryosphere;
b) Physical properties of water.
2. Basic principles of environmental/geophysical fluid dynamics:
a) Divergence, gradient, curl;
b) Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches to fluids motion;
c) Mass conservation and continuity equation;
d) Viscous fluid in a rotating reference frame;
e) Scale analysis for atmosphere and oceans; geostrophic and hydrostatic approximation and application to atmospheric motions;
f) Shallow Ice Approximation for the dynamics of ice caps;
g) Groundwater flow equations (fluid flow in porous media, Darcy's law, hydraulic head).
3. Energy balance and heat equation: conduction, convection, radiation, evapotranspiration.
4. Atmosphere thermodynamics: State equation for dry and moist air, hydrostatic and hypsometric equations. First principle, adiabatic transformations and lapse rate. Static stability of dry and wet air and vertical motions; thermodynamic diagrams.
5. Atmospheric general circulation.
6. Ocean circulation:
a) Thermo-haline circulation;
b) Wind driven circulation (Eckman layer);
c) Main oceanic currents;
d) Main circulation features in the Mediterranean Sea;
e) Tides;
f) Waves.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of mathematics and physics.
Teaching methods
The course consists of:
a) 4 CFU (32 hours) of frontal lessons to introduce the topics described in the syllabus;
b) 2 CFU (24 hours) of practical classes, where the students will deepens some of the topics presented during the lessons, by working individually or in small groups on the following subjects: i) modelling of the physical processes introduced during the lessons; ii) analysis and interpretation of meteorological data.
Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended.
a) 4 CFU (32 hours) of frontal lessons to introduce the topics described in the syllabus;
b) 2 CFU (24 hours) of practical classes, where the students will deepens some of the topics presented during the lessons, by working individually or in small groups on the following subjects: i) modelling of the physical processes introduced during the lessons; ii) analysis and interpretation of meteorological data.
Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Slides and lecture notes uploaded on myAriel.
K. Cuffey & W.S.B. Paterson, 2010, The Physics of Glaciers - 4th Edition, Academic Press.
J. Bear, 1979. Hydraulics of groundwater, McGraw-Hill/Dover.
J. Pedlosky, 1987. Geophysical fluid dynamics 2nd edition, Springer.
G. de Marsily, 1986. Quantitative Hydrogeology - Groundwater hydrology for engineers, Academic Press.
G.L. Pickard & A.J. Emery, 1990. Descriptive physical oceanography, An introduction - 5th (SI) Enlarged Edition, Butterworth-Heynemann.
J.R. Holton, 2004. An introduction to dynamic meteorology 4th edition, Academic Press.
J.M. Wallace & P.V. Hobbs, 2006. Atmospheric Science - An introductory survey, - 2nd Edition, Academic Press.
J. Marshall & R. A. Plumb, 2007. Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics - An Introductory Text. Academic Press.
K. Cuffey & W.S.B. Paterson, 2010, The Physics of Glaciers - 4th Edition, Academic Press.
J. Bear, 1979. Hydraulics of groundwater, McGraw-Hill/Dover.
J. Pedlosky, 1987. Geophysical fluid dynamics 2nd edition, Springer.
G. de Marsily, 1986. Quantitative Hydrogeology - Groundwater hydrology for engineers, Academic Press.
G.L. Pickard & A.J. Emery, 1990. Descriptive physical oceanography, An introduction - 5th (SI) Enlarged Edition, Butterworth-Heynemann.
J.R. Holton, 2004. An introduction to dynamic meteorology 4th edition, Academic Press.
J.M. Wallace & P.V. Hobbs, 2006. Atmospheric Science - An introductory survey, - 2nd Edition, Academic Press.
J. Marshall & R. A. Plumb, 2007. Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics - An Introductory Text. Academic Press.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Expected learning outcomes will be verified through the evaluation of one written document (literature review) and an oral exam. More in detail: students will produce a document containing a brief literature review, related to one or more scientific papers selected by the students among their topic of interest (related to the course) and previously approved by the teacher. During the oral exam, the student will present the content of literature review mentioned in the previous points and be questioned about the topics discussed during the lessons.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria: ability to present the topics in an appropriate and organic manner, also by using the proper specialist lexicon; strict application of the scientific method; critical reasoning; good command of the topics contained in the literature review.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria: ability to present the topics in an appropriate and organic manner, also by using the proper specialist lexicon; strict application of the scientific method; critical reasoning; good command of the topics contained in the literature review.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
GEO/12 - OCEANOGRAPHY AND PHYSICS OF THE ATMOSPHERE - University credits: 6
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Comunian Alessandro, Davolio Silvio
Professor(s)