OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide the principles  of the atmosphere and ocean physics necessary to the study of the dispersion in the environment. In addition to classical lectures, the course  will offer  a very operational part carried out in the computer lab, where students will have the chance  to work with state-of-the-art numerical modeling for the simulation of sea currents and dispersion phenomena.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide the basic concepts of atmosphere and ocean physics and the related dispersion phenomena through the study and the use of numerical simulation models. The part to gain a solid theoretical background to the problem  will be followed by an applied part carried out  in the computer lab with the aim to exploit dispersion models in situation of interest for environmental studies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

The course  aims to provide the basic concepts useful for the study of  environmental dispersion (atmosphere and sea). To this end we will first provide the theoretical basis of atmospheric and sea dynamics and, secondly, we will introduce   transport  problems of interests for environmental studies.  To this theoretical part having the purpose of fixing the basic concepts, it will follow a part carried out in the computer lab having the specific objective to work with state-of-the-art circulation and dispersion models. Practical exercises designed to mimic problems of interest in the environmental dispersion will be proposed to the students.

TEACHING METHODS

In addition to frontal lectures, a practical section carried out in the computer lab  will be proposed to allow students to work with state-of-the-art  circulation and dispersion models. This phase will be carried out along the following three actions, promptly reported on AulaWeb with uploaded to Youtube video tutorials, presentations, and other multimedia electronic file:

-) Configuration of IT tools;

-) Numerical analysis and trajectories of particles in the sea;

-) The ROMS model (Regional Ocean Modeling System).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) basic aspects of geophysical fluid dynamics:

- Models f-plane, beta-plane and geostrophic, Ekman boundary layer and introduction  to circulation at the ground / bottom;

- Introduction to the atmospheric stability.

2) The dispersion in the atmosphere: Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches;

3) examples of operational models for the dispersion in the atmosphere;

4) General notions of physical oceanography to understand the applicability and physical assumptions underlying the circulation patterns and marine dispersion;

5) Introduction to scientific programming concepts and numerical analysis to understand the differences in implementation of the various marine models;

6) description of the marine dispersion models: modules for tracers, Eulerian and Lagrangian methods, with reference to and use of data from coastal radars;

7) direct experience and practical implementation and execution of circulation patterns and marine dispersion.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

-) Numerical Ocean Circulation Modeling, Dale B. Haidvogel and Aike Beckmann, Imperial College Press

-) Numerical Modeling of Ocean Circulation, Robert N. Miller, Cambridge Press

-) Atmospheric and Ocean Fluid Dynamics, Geoffrey K. Vallis, Cambridge Press

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO ENRICO COLOMBINI (President)

ANDREA MAZZINO (President)

ALESSANDRO STOCCHINO

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination on the theoretical aspects treated and presentation of a dispersion study in the ocean proposed by the teachers.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For the oral examination questions are provided to the student aimed to assess the level of preparation reached and the ability gained in relation to the theoretical foundations of the course. The practical result of the exercise on the use of numerical models described and used during the course will be evaluated by a twenty-minute presentation made by the student with the help of slides.

Exam schedule