Welcome to the "Environmental Issues in Oceanography" web site.

This site accompanies the "Environmental Issues in Oceanography" text by Daniel C. Abel and Robert L. McConnell.

The goal of these exercises is for you to apply fundamental concepts of oceanography and critical thinking as a scientist would by analyzing some of the day's most important environmental issues.

Connect to the Issue you're working on by clicking on the issue in the list below or by using the Jump To menu above.

Introduction to Using Issues
Issue 1 - Coastal Population Growth: A Global Ecosystem at Risk
Issue 2 - SONAR and Whales
Issue 3 - Methane Hydrates: Energy Boom or Climate Bust
Issue 4 - Toxic Chemicals in Seawater
Issue 5 - The Lasting Influences of Hurricanes
Issue 6 - Beaches or Bedrooms? The Dynamic Coastal Environment
Issue 7 - Illegal Immigration: Ballast Water and Exotic Species
Issue 8 - Lifestyles of the Large and Blubbery: How to Grow a Blue Whale

Each issue is broken down into modules. These modules include:

- Issue Discussion: This is the necessary background information on the Issue. (This section includes all of the text from your printed text.)

- Analyses: Here, through structured questions, you will address the issue as a scientist would, by gathering data and other information from primary sources, analyzing the data, critically evaluating its implications, and presenting your conclusions. Any numerical analysis necessary is thoroughly explained in a step-by-step manner and include examples.

- Media Analyses: Here you will have the opportunity to analyze the manner in which Issues are presented via the popular media.

- Destinations: This is a list of web sites, researched and annotated by the authors, pertaining to each issue. Included as well are sites of general interest.