Physics of the Hydrosphere and the Cryosphere
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
1. To introduce the physical laws governing flow in hydrosphere and cryosphere and transport in waters and soils.
2. To introduce the physical tools to analyze observations from monitoring networks in hydrosphere and cryosphere.
3. To introduce elements of the radiative balance of the Earth and the role of hydrosphere and cryosphere in the energy balance.
4. To introduce notions about geophysical measures related to hydrology.
2. To introduce the physical tools to analyze observations from monitoring networks in hydrosphere and cryosphere.
3. To introduce elements of the radiative balance of the Earth and the role of hydrosphere and cryosphere in the energy balance.
4. To introduce notions about geophysical measures related to hydrology.
Expected learning outcomes
The students will acquire ability to:
1. read and understand scientific papers and technical reports dealing with the physical aspects of the dynamics of cryosphere and hydrosphere;
2. design flow and transport models (mass balance, energy balance, solute transport, etc.) in hydrosphere and cryosphere;
3. critically analyze the results of monitoring physical quantities in cryosphere and hydrosphere;
4. design and perform geophysical measurements.
1. read and understand scientific papers and technical reports dealing with the physical aspects of the dynamics of cryosphere and hydrosphere;
2. design flow and transport models (mass balance, energy balance, solute transport, etc.) in hydrosphere and cryosphere;
3. critically analyze the results of monitoring physical quantities in cryosphere and hydrosphere;
4. design and perform geophysical measurements.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Basic elements about the water cycle and the general characteristics of hydrosphere and cryosphere.
Physical properties of water in its various forms.
Equation of motion of surface waters, groundwater and polar ice caps. Geostrophic and hydrostatic approximations. Shallow ice approximation.
Energy balance and heat equation: conduction, advection, radiation, evapotranspiration.
Characteristics of oceanic circulation: thermohaline circulation Eckman layer; main oceanic currents; waves and tides.
Contaminant transport in hydrosphere: advection, molecular diffusion, turbulent and hydrodynamic dispersion.
General concepts on geophysical measurements. Hydrological and oceanographic measurements.
Physical properties of water in its various forms.
Equation of motion of surface waters, groundwater and polar ice caps. Geostrophic and hydrostatic approximations. Shallow ice approximation.
Energy balance and heat equation: conduction, advection, radiation, evapotranspiration.
Characteristics of oceanic circulation: thermohaline circulation Eckman layer; main oceanic currents; waves and tides.
Contaminant transport in hydrosphere: advection, molecular diffusion, turbulent and hydrodynamic dispersion.
General concepts on geophysical measurements. Hydrological and oceanographic measurements.
Prerequisites for admission
Good background in Physics and Mathematics. Intermediate computer skills and knowledge of some programming/scripting language.
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 in small groups on one of the following subjects: i) modeling of the physical processes introduced during the lessons; ii) collect and elaborate geophysical data-sets; iii) design of monitoring networks.
Attendance 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 in small groups on one of the following subjects: i) modeling of the physical processes introduced during the lessons; ii) collect and elaborate geophysical data-sets; iii) design of monitoring networks.
Attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
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. 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.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Expected learning outcomes will be verified through a written exam, the evaluation of a report (literature review and optional technical report) and an oral exam. More in detail:
a) Students will sit for a written exam, during which they will be asked to answer 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and to solve two exercises.
b) each student will produce a document containing a brief literature review, where one of the topics covered during the lessons will be deepened by reviewing a selected scientific paper. The student can also prepare a technical report, related to data analysis or modeling exercises realted to the paper's topic. Details about the selection of the paper and the preparation of the report can be found in the moodle site of the course unit.
c) During the oral exam, the student will:
i. present the results and the content of the report;
ii. be questioned about the topics discussed during the lessons.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria.
Written exam (max 26 points):
MCQs (max 20 points): +2 points for a correct answer, -0.5 point for a wrong answer, 0 points for a missing answer;
Exercises (max 6 points): 3 points for a correct result, without errors in the explanation; 2 points for a correct result, but minor errors in the explanation, or a wrong result due to trivial errors; 1 point for a correct result, but major errors in the explanation, or a wrong result, but sufficient explanation; 0 point for missing results; -1 point for a wrong result and heavy errors.
Report (max 4 points):
Literature review: up to 1 point (-1 insufficient or missing, 0 sufficient, 0.5 good, 1 excellent);
Optional technical report: up to 3 points (0 insufficient or missing, 1 sufficient, 2 good, 3 excellent).
Oral exam (max 4 points):
Presentation of the report: up to 2 points (-1 insufficient or missing, 0 sufficient, 1 good, 2 excellent);
Discussion and questions: up to 2 points (-1 insufficient or missing, 0 sufficient, 1 good, 2 excellent).
For the report and the oral exam, the assessment will consider the folowing aspects: 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 report.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
a) Students will sit for a written exam, during which they will be asked to answer 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and to solve two exercises.
b) each student will produce a document containing a brief literature review, where one of the topics covered during the lessons will be deepened by reviewing a selected scientific paper. The student can also prepare a technical report, related to data analysis or modeling exercises realted to the paper's topic. Details about the selection of the paper and the preparation of the report can be found in the moodle site of the course unit.
c) During the oral exam, the student will:
i. present the results and the content of the report;
ii. be questioned about the topics discussed during the lessons.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria.
Written exam (max 26 points):
MCQs (max 20 points): +2 points for a correct answer, -0.5 point for a wrong answer, 0 points for a missing answer;
Exercises (max 6 points): 3 points for a correct result, without errors in the explanation; 2 points for a correct result, but minor errors in the explanation, or a wrong result due to trivial errors; 1 point for a correct result, but major errors in the explanation, or a wrong result, but sufficient explanation; 0 point for missing results; -1 point for a wrong result and heavy errors.
Report (max 4 points):
Literature review: up to 1 point (-1 insufficient or missing, 0 sufficient, 0.5 good, 1 excellent);
Optional technical report: up to 3 points (0 insufficient or missing, 1 sufficient, 2 good, 3 excellent).
Oral exam (max 4 points):
Presentation of the report: up to 2 points (-1 insufficient or missing, 0 sufficient, 1 good, 2 excellent);
Discussion and questions: up to 2 points (-1 insufficient or missing, 0 sufficient, 1 good, 2 excellent).
For the report and the oral exam, the assessment will consider the folowing aspects: 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 report.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
GEO/12 - OCEANOGRAPHY AND PHYSICS OF THE ATMOSPHERE - University credits: 6
Practicals with elements of theory: 24 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Giudici Mauro
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By phone or mail appointment
via Botticelli 23