Modeling Methods for Marine Science

This advanced textbook on modeling, data analysis and numerical techniques for marine science has been developed from a course taught by the authors for many years at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. The first part covers statistics: singular value decomposition, error propagation, least squares regression, principal component analysis, time series analysis and objective interpolation. The second part deals with modeling techniques: finite differences, stability analysis and optimization. The third part describes case studies of actual ocean models of ever increasing dimensionality and complexity, starting with zero-dimensional models and finishing with three-dimensional general circulation models. Throughout the book hands-on computational examples are introduced using the MATLAB programming language and the principles of scientific visualization are emphasised. Ideal as a textbook for advanced students of oceanography on courses in data analysis and numerical modeling, the book is also an invaluable resource for a broad range of scientists undertaking modeling in chemical, biological, geological and physical oceanography.

Table of Contents:
Preface; 1. Resources, MATLAB primer and introduction to linear algebra; 2. Measurement theory, probability distributions, error propagation and analysis; 3. Least squares and regression techniques, goodness of fit and tests, and non-linear least square techniques; 4. Principal component and factor analysis; 5. Sequence analysis I: uniform series, cross- and auto-correlation, and Fourier transforms; 6. Sequence analysis II: optimal filtering and spectral analysis; 7. Gridding, objective mapping and kriging; 8. Integration of ODEs and 0-D (box) models; 9. A model building tutorial; 10. Model analysis and optimization; 11. Advection-diffusion equations and turbulence; 12. Finite difference techniques; 13. Open ocean 1-D advection-diffusion models; 14. 1-D models in sedimentary systems; 15. Upper ocean 1-D seasonal models; 16. 2-D gyre models; 17. 3-D general circulation models; 18. Inverse methods and assimilation techniques; 19. Scientific visualization; Appendix: hints and tricks; References; Index.

About the Author :
David Glover is a Senior Research Specialist in the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He is the author or co-author of 67 published articles, book chapters and abstracts. Dr Glover's research uses satellite data, model results and shipboard data to elucidate the mechanisms and processes by which the oceans play a major role in the maintenance of the global climate. William J. Jenkins is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He has published 84 peer-reviewed journal and book articles. Dr Jenkins is the Director of the National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Facility (NOSAMS). In 1983 he received the Rosenstiel Award in Oceanographic Science from the University of Miami and in 1997 he received the Henry Bryant Bigelow Award in Oceanography from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Dr Jenkins' interests include studying tracers as applied to oceanic physical, chemical, biological and geological processes; air-sea and ice-water exchange of gases; ocean biological productivity and its controls; radiogenic and primordial noble gas isotopes in the sea, atmosphere, lakes, ground waters, sediments and rocks; climatic changes in the ocean and its effects on biogeochemical systems; and radiocarbon and the global carbon cycle in the last 60,000 years. Scott C. Doney is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He has authored or co-authored more than 160 peer-reviewed journal and book articles. He was awarded the James B. Macelwane Medal from the American Geophysical Union in 2000 and an Aldo Leopold Leadership Program Fellowship in 2004. He has travelled extensively, lending his expertise to a number of national and international science programs, most recently as inaugural chair of the Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) program. He has also testified before both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. His research interests include marine biogeochemistry and ecosystem dynamics, ocean acidification, the global carbon cycle, climate change, and the intersection of science and policy.

Review :
'… this book does not deal only with modeling; it also presents many numerical data analysis techniques. It is very didactic, well-written (sometimes with humor) and provides an advanced set of tools for students, teachers and research scientists who are interested in the numerical side of several fields in marine science … At the end of each chapter, selected exercises are proposed, which also makes this book an excellent course support for teachers.' Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin 'I believe that no other book covers the same topics as this book does, so in that sense it is unique … I very highly recommend this book for use in courses that cover modeling methods in oceanography or geophysics, and to researchers who want to refresh their knowledge or learn new aspects of their subject.' Peter R. Gent, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society