CSIR NET Earth Sciences Syllabus

EARTH, ATMOSPHERIC, OCEAN AND PLANETARY SCIENCES PAPER I (PART B)

1. The Earth and the Solar System: Milky Way and the solar system. Modern theories
on the origin of the Earth and other planetary bodies. Earth‟s orbital parameters,
Kepler‟s laws of planetary motion, Geological Time Scale; Space and time scales of
processes in the solid Earth, atmosphere and oceans. Radioactive isotopes and their
applications. Meteorites Chemical composition and the Primary differentiation of the
earth. Basic principles of stratigraphy. Theories about the origin of life and the nature
of fossil record. Earth‟s gravity and magnetic fields and its thermal structure: Concept
of Geoid and, spheroid; Isostasy.

2. Earth Materials, Surface Features and Processes: Gross composition and physical
properties of important minerals and rocks; properties and processes responsible for
mineral concentrations; nature and distribution of rocks and minerals in different units
of the earth anddifferent parts of India. Physiography of the Earth; weathering, erosion,
transportation and deposition of Earth‟s material; formation of soil, sediments and
sedimentary rocks; energy balance of the Earth‟s surface processes; physiographic
features and river basins in India

3. Interior of the Earth, Deformation and Tectonics: Basic concepts of seismology

and internal structure of the Earth. Physico-chemical and seismic properties of Earth‟s
interior.Concepts of stress and strain. Behaviour of rocks under stress; Folds, joints and
faults. Earthquakes – their causes and measurement. Interplate and intraplate seismicity.
Paleomagnetism, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics.

Oceans and Atmosphere: Hypsography of the continents and ocean floor –continental
shelf, slope, rise and abyssal plains. Physical and chemical properties of sea water and
their spatial variations. Residence times of elements in sea water. Ocean currents,
waves and tides, important current systems, thermohaline circulation and the oceanic
conveyor belt. Major water masses of the world‟s oceans. Biological productivity in the
oceans. Motion of fluids, waves in atmospheric and oceanic systems. Atmospheric
turbulence and boundary layer. Structure and chemical composition of the atmosphere,
lapse rate and stability, scale height, geopotential, greenhouse gases and global
warming. Cloud formation and precipitation processes, air- sea interactions on different
space and time scales. Insolation and heat budget, radiation balance, general
circulation of the atmosphere and ocean. Climatic and sea level changes on different
time scales. Coupled ocean-atmosphere system, El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
General weather systems of India, - Monsoon system, cyclone and jet stream, Western
disturbances and severe local convective systems, distribution of precipitation over
India. Marine and atmosphericpollution, ozone depletion.

4. Environmental Earth Sciences: Properties of water; hydrological cycle; water

resources and management. Energy resources, uses, degradation, alternatives and
management; Ecology and biodiversity. Impact of use of energy and land on the
environment. Exploitation and conservation of mineral and other natural resources.
Natural hazards. Elements of Remote Sensing.

PAPER I (PART C)

I. GEOLOGY

1) MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY: Concept of point group, space group, reciprocal

lattice, diffraction and imaging. Concepts of crystal field theory and mineralogical
spectroscopy. Lattice defects (point, line and planar). Electrical, magnetic and optical
properties of minerals. Bonding and crystal structures of common oxides, sulphides,
and silicates. Transformation of minerals – polymorphism, polytypism, and
polysomatism. Solid solution and exsolution. Steady- state geotherms. Genesis,
properties, emplacement and crystallization of magmas. Phase equilibrium studies of
simple systems, effect of volatiles on melt equilibria. Magma -mixing, - mingling and -
immiscibility. Metamorphic structures and textures; isograds and facies. Mineral
reactions with condensed phases, solid solutions, mixed volatile equilibria and
thermobarometry. Metamorphism of pelites, mafic -ultra mafic rocks and siliceous
dolomites. Material transport during metamorphism. P-T-t path in regional
metamorphic terrains, plate tectonics and metamorphism. Petrogenetic aspects of
important rock suites of India, such as the Deccan Traps, layered intrusive complexes,
anorthosites, carbonatites, charnockites, alkaline rocks, Kimberlites, ophiolites and
granitoids.

2) STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY AND GEOTECTONICS: Theory of stress and strain.

Behaviour of rocks under stress. Mohr circle. Various states of stress and their
representation by Mohr circles. Different types of failure and sliding criteria. Geometry
and mechanics of fracturing and conditions for reactivation of pre-existing
discontinuities. Common types of finite strain ellipsoids. L-, L-S-, and S-tectonic fabrics.
Techniques of strain analysis. Particle paths and flow patterns. Progressive strain history.
Introduction to deformation mechanisms. Role of fluids in deformation processes.
Geometry and analyses of brittle-ductile and ductile shear zones.
Sheath folds. Geometry and mechanics of development of folds, boudins, foliations and
lineations. Interference patterns of superposed fold. Fault-related folding. Gravity
induced structures. Tectonic features of extensional-, compressional-, and strike-slip-
terrains and relevance to plate boundaries. mantle plumes. Himalayan Orogeny;
concept of super continent,their assembly and breakup.

3) PALEONTOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS: Theories on origin of life. Organic

evolution – Punctuated Equilibrium and Phyletic Gradualism models. Mass extinctions
and their causes. Application of fossils in age determination and correlation.
Paleoecology, Life habitats and various ecosystems, Paleobiogeography. Modes of
preservation of fossils and taphonomic considerations. Types of microfossils.
Environmental significance of fossils and trace fossils. Use of microfossils in
interpretation of sea floor tectonism. Application of micropaleontology inhydrocarbon
exploration. Oxygen and Carbon isotope studies of microfossils and their use in
paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic interpretation. Important invertebrate fossils,
vertebrate fossils, plant fossils and microfossils in Indian stratigraphy.

4) SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY: Classification of sediments and

sedimentary rocks ; elastic, volcanoclastic and chemical. Classification of elastic rocks.
Flow regimes and processes of sediment transport. Sedimentary textures and structures.
Sedimentary facies and environments, reconstruction of paleoenvironments. Formation
and evolution of sedimentary basins. Diagenesis of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks.
Recent developments in stratigraphic classification. Code of stratigraphic nomenclature
– Stratotypes, Global BoundaryStratotype Sections and Points (GSSP). Lithostratigraphic,
chronostratigraphic and biostratigraphic subdivisions. Methods of startigraphic
correlation including Shaw‟s Graphic correlation. Concept of sequence stratigraphy.
Rates of sediment accumulation, unconformities. Facies concept in Stratigraphy –
Walther‟s law. Methods for paleogeographic reconstruction. Earth‟s Climatic History.
Phanerozoic stratigraphy of India with reference to the type areas– their correlation
with equivalent formations in other regions. Boundary problems in Indian Phanerozoic
stratigraphy.
5) MARINE GEOLOGY AND PALEOCEANOGRAPHY: Morphologic and tectonic
domains of the ocean floor. Structure, composition and mechanism of the formation of
oceanic crust. hydrothermal vents-. Ocean margins and their significance. Ocean
Circulation, Coriolis effect and Ekman spiral, convergence, divergence and upwelling, El
Nino. Indian Ocean Dipole Thermohaline circulation and oceanic conveyor belt.
Formation of Bottom waters; major water masses of the world‟s oceans. Oceanic
sediments: Factors controlling the deposition and distribution of oceanic sediments;
geochronology of oceanic sediments, diagenetic changes in oxic and anoxic
environments. Tectonic evolution of the ocean basins. Mineral resources.
Paleoceanography – Approaches to paleoceanographic reconstructions; various proxy
indicators for paleoceanographic interpretation. Reconstruction of monsoon variability
by using marine proxy records Opening and closing of ocean gateways and their effect
on circulation and climate during the Cenozoic. Sea level processes and Sea level
changes. Methods of paleo Sea Surface temperature. Quantifications.
6) GEOCHEMISTRY: Atomic Structure and properties of elements, the Periodic Table;
ionic substitution in minerals; Phase rule and its applications in petrology,
thermodynamics of reactions involving pure phases, ideal and non-ideal solutions, and
fluids; equilibrium and distribution coefficients. Nucleation and diffusion processes in
igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary environments, redox reactions and EhpH
diagrams and their applications. Mineral/mineral assemblages as „sensors‟ of ambient
environments. Geochemical studies of aerosols, surface-, marine-, and ground waters.
Radioactive decay schemes and their application to geochronology and petrogenesis.
Stable isotopes and their application to earth system processes; geochemical
differentiation of the earth; geochemical cycles.

7) ECONOMIC GEOLOGY: Magmatic, hydrothermal and surface processes of ore

formation.Metallogeny and its relation to crustal evolution; Active ore-forming systems,
methods of mineral deposit studies including ore microscopy, fluid inclusions and
isotopic systematics; ores and metamorphism- cause and effect relationships.
Geological setting, characteristics, and genesis of ferrous, base and noble metals.
Origin, migration and entrapment of petroleum; properties of source and reservoir
rocks; structural, stratigraphic and combination traps. Methods of petroleum
exploration. Concepts of petrophysics, Petroliferous basins of India. Origin of peat,
lignite, bitumen and anthracite. Classification, rank and grading of coal; coal
petrography, coal resources of India. Gas hydrates and coal bed methane. Nuclear and
non-conventional energy resources.

8) PRECAMBRIAN GEOLOGY AND CRUSTAL EVOLUTION: Evolution of lithosphere,

hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere;, lithological, geochemical and
stratigraphic characteristics of granite – greenstone and granulite belts. Stratigraphy
and geochronology of the cratonic nuclei, mobile belts and Proterozoic sedimentary
basins of India. Life in Precambrian. Precambrian – Cambrian boundary with special
reference to India.

9) QUATERNARY GEOLOGY: Definition of Quaternary. Quaternary Stratigraphy –

Oxygen Isotope stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy. Quaternary
climates – glacial- interglacial cycles, eustatic changes, proxy indicators of
paleoenvironmental/ paleoclimatic changes, - land, ocean and cryosphere (ice core
studies). Responses of geomorphic systems to climate, sea level and tectonics on
variable time scales in the Quaternary, Quaternary dating methods, –radiocarbon,
Uranium series, Luminescence, Aminoacid. Quaternary stratigraphy of India–
continental records (fluvial, glacial, aeolian, palaeosols and duricrust); marine records;
continental-marine correlation of Quaternary record. Evolution of man and Stone Age
cultures. Plant and animal life in relation to glacial and interglacial cycles during
Quaternary. Tectonic geomorphology, neotectonics, active tectonics and their
applications to natural hazard assessment.

10) (I)APPLIED GEOLOGY:

(i) Remote Sensing and GIS: Elements of photogrammetry, elements of photo-

interpretation, electromagnetic spectrum, emission range, film and imagery, sensors,
geological interpretations
of air photos and imageries. Global positioning systems. GIS- data structure, attribute
data,thematic layers and query analysis.

(ii) Engineering Geology: Engineering properties of rocks and physical characteristics

of building stones, concretes and other aggregates. Geological investigations for
construction of dams, bridges, highways and tunnels. Remedial measures. Mass
movements with special emphasis on landslides and causes of hillslope instability.
Seismic design of buildings.

(iii) Mineral Exploration: Geological, geophysical, geochemical and geobotanical

methods ofsurface and sub-surface exploration on different scales. Sampling, assaying
and evaluation of mineral deposits.
(iv) Hydrogeology: Groundwater, Darcy‟s law, hydrological characteristics of aquifers,
hydrological cycle. Precipitation, evapotranspiration and infiltration processes.
Hydrological classification of water-bearing formations. Fresh and salt-water
relationships in coastal and inland areas. Groundwater exploration and water pollution.
Groundwater regimes in India.

(II) PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

1) Geomorphology: Concepts in geomorphology. Historical and process

Geomorphology. Landforms in relation to climate, rock type, structure and tectonics.
Processes – weathering, pedogenesis, mass movement, erosion, transportation and
deposition. Geomorphic processes and landforms – fluvial, glacial, eolian, coastal and
karst. River forms and processes – stream flow, stagedischarge relationship;
hydrographs and flood frequency analysis. Submarine relief. Geomorphology and
topographic analysis including DEM, Environmental change– causes, effects on
processes and landforms. Extra-terrestrial geomorphology.

2) Climatology: Fundamental principles of climatology. Earth‟s radiation balance;

latitudinal and seasonal variation of insolation, temperature, pressure, wind belts,
humidity, cloud formation and precipitation, water balance. Air masses, monsoon, Jet
streams, tropical cyclones, and ENSO. Classification of climates – Koppen‟s and
Thornthwaite‟s scheme of classification. Climate change.

3) Bio-geography: Elements of biogeography with special reference to India;

environment, habitat, plant-animal association; zoo-geography of India; Biomes,
elements of plant geography, distribution of forests and major plant communities.
Distribution of major animal communities. Conservation of forests. Wildlife sanctuaries
and parks.

4) Environmental Geography: Man-land relationship. Resources – renewable and

non- renewable. Natural and man-made hazards – droughts, floods, cyclones,
earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis. Ecological balance, environmental pollution and
deterioration Geography of India: Physiography, drainage, climate, soils and natural
resources – the Himalaya, Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains, and peninsular India
Precambrian shield, the Gondwana rift basins, Deccan Plateau. Indian climatology with
special reference to seasonal distribution andvariation of temperature, humidity, wind
and precipitation; Climate zones of India. Agricultural geography of India. Population
– its distribution and characteristics. Urbanization and migration. Environmental
problems and issues.

(III) GEOPHYSICS

1) Signal Processing: Continuous and discrete signals; Fourier series; auto and cross
correlations,linear time invariant systems with deterministic and random inputs; band
limited signal and sampling theorem; Fourier and Fast Fourier transforms; Z-transform;
convolution; Filters: discrete and continuous, recursive, non-recursive, optimal and
inverse filters; deconvolution; fractal analysis.

2) Field theory: Newtonian potential; Laplace and Poisson‟s equations; Green‟s

Theorem; Gauss‟ law; Continuation integral; equivalent stratum; Maxwell‟s equations
and electromagnetictheory; Displacement potential, Helmhotz‟s theorem and seismic
wave propagation.

3) Numerical analysis and inversion: Numerical differentiation and integration,

finite element, and finite difference techniques; Simpson‟s rules; Gauss‟ quadrature
formula; initial value problems; pattern recognition in Geophysics. Well posed and ill-
posed problems; method of least squares; direct search and gradient methods;
generalized inversion techniques; singular value decomposition; global optimization.

4) Gravity and Magnetic fields of the earth: Normal gravity field; Clairaut‟s
theorem; Shape of the earth; deflection of the vertical, geoid, free-air, Bouguer and
isostatic anomalies, isostatic models for local and regional compensation.
Geomagnetic field, secular and transient variations and their theories;
palaeomagnetism, construction of polar wandering curves.

5) Plate Tectonics and Geodynamics: Marine magnetic anomalies, sea floor

spreading; midoceanic ridges and geodynamics; plate tectonics hypothesis; plate
boundaries and seismicity. Heat flow mechanisms, thermal moddling of earth,core-
mantle convection and mantle plumes.

6) Seismology Elastic theory: Seismometry: short period, long period, broad band
and strong motion; elements of earthquake seismology; seismic sources: faulting
source, double couple hypothesis, seismic moment tensor, focal mechanism and
fault plane solutions; seismic gaps; seismotectonics and structure of the earth;
Himalayan and stable continental region earthquakes, reservoir induced seismicity;
seismic hazards; earthquake prediction, travel time residuals, velocity anomalies,
seismic tomography.
7) Gravity and Magnetic Methods: Gravimeters and magnetometers; data acquisition
from land, air and ship; corrections and reduction of anomalies; ambiguity; regional
and residual separation; continuation and derivative calculations; interpretation of
anomalies of simple geometric bodies, single pole, sphere, horizontal cylinder, sheet,
dyke and fault. Forward modelling and inversion of arbitrary shaped bodies and 2-D, 3-
D interfaces. Interpretations infrequency domain.

8) Electrical and Electromagnetic Methods: Electrical profiling and sounding, typical

sounding curves, pseudo-sections; resistivity transform and direct interpretation;
induced polarization methods. Electromagnetic field techniques; elliptic polarization, in-
phase and out of phase components, horizontal and vertical loop methods;
interpretation; VLF (very low frequency); AFMAG (Audio frequency magnetic) methods;
and central frequency sounding; transient electromagnetic methods; magneto-telluric
method; geomagnetic depth sounding.

9) Seismic Methods: Generalized Snell‟s Law; Ray theory; reflection, refraction,

diffraction; Zoeppritz‟s equation; seismic energy sources; detectors; seismic noises and
noise profile analysis; seismic data recording, reduction to a datum and weathering
corrections; Interpretationof refraction and reflection data; CDP/CMP; velocity analysis,
F-K filtering, stacking, deconvolution, migration before and after stack; bright spot
analysis; wavelet processing; attenuation studies, shear waves, AVO; VSP; introduction
to 3D seismics; seismic stratigraphy.

10)Well logging: Open hole, cased hole and production logging; Electrical logs; lateral,
latero, induction, temperature, S.P; porosity logs; sonic, density, neutron; natural
gamma; determination of formation factor, porosity, permeability, density, water
saturation, lithology; logging while drilling.

(IV) METEOROLOGY

1) Climatology: Same as under Geography

2) Physical Meteorology: Thermal structure of the atmosphere and its composition.
Radiation: basic Laws - Rayleigh and Mie scattering, multiple scattering, radiation from
the sun, solar constant, effect of clouds, surface and planetary albedo. Emission and
absorption of terrestrial radiation, radiation windows, radiative transfer, Greenhouse
effect, net radiation budget; Thermodynamics of dry and moist air: specific gas
constant, Adiabatic and isoentropic processes,entropy and enthalpy, Moisture variables,
virtual temperature; Clausius – Clapeyron equation, adiabatic process of moist air;
thermodynamic diagrams: Hydrostatic equilibrium: Hydrostatic equation, variation of
pressure with height, geopotential, standard atmosphere, altimetry. Vertical stability of
the atmosphere: Dry and moist air parcel and slice methods. Tropical convection.
Atmospheric optics - visibility - optical phenomenon - rainbows, haloes, corona, glarg,
mirage.

3) Atmospheric Electricity: Fair weather electric field in the atmosphere and potential
gradients, ionization in the atmosphere. Electrical fields in thunderstorms, theories of
thunderstorm
electrification - Structure of lightening flash-mechanism of earth-atmospheric change
balance-role of thunderstroms.

4) Cloud Physics: Cloud classification, condensation nuclei, growth of cloud drops and
ice- crystals, precipitation mechanisms: Bergeron, Findeisen process, coalescence
process – Precipitation of warm and mixed clouds, artificial precipitation, hail
suppression, fog and cloud –dissipation, radar observation of clouds and precipitation,
radar equation, rain drop spectra, radar echoes of hail storm and tornadoes, radar
observation of hurricanes, measurements of rainfall by radar.

5) Dynamic Meteorology: Basic equations and fundamental forces: Pressure, gravity,

centripetaland Corolis forces, continuity equation in Cartesian and isobaric coordinates.
Momentum equation Cartesian and spherical coordinates; scale analysis, inertial flow,
geostrophic and gradient winds, thermal wind. Divergence and vertical motion Rossby,
Richardson, Reynolds and Froude numbers. Circulation, vorticity and divergence;
Bjerknese circulation theorem and applications, vorticity and divergence equations,
scale analysis, potential vorticity, stream function and velocity potential. Atmospheric
turbulence: Mixing length theory, planetary boundary layer equations, surface layer,
Ekman layer, eddy transport of heat, moisture and momentum, Richardson criterion;
Linear Perturbation Theory: Internal and external gravity waves, inertia waves, gravity
waves, Rossby waves, wave motion in the tropics, barotropic and baroclinic instabilities.
Atmospheric Energetics: Kinetic, potential and internal energies – conversion of
potential and internal energies into kinetic energy, available potential energy.

6) Numerical Weather Prediction: computational instability, filtering of sound and

gravity waves, filtered forecast equations, barotropic and equivalent barotropic models,
two parameter baroclinic model, relaxation method. Multi-layer primitive equation
models. Short, medium and long range weather prediction. Objective analysis;
Initialization of the data for use in weather prediction models; data assimilation
techniques, application of satellite in NWP (Numerical Weather Prediction) and
remotely sensed data.

7) General Circulation and Climate Modelling: Observed zonally symmetric

circulations, meridional circulation models, mean meridional and eddy transport of
momentum and energy, angular momentum and energy budgets; zonally asymmetric
features of general circulation; standing eddies; east-west circulations in tropics:
climate variability and forcings; feedback processes, low frequency variability, MJO
Madden-Julian oscillation), ENSO, QBO (quasi- biennial oscillation) and sunspot cycles.
Basic principles of general circulation modelling; grid- point and spectral GCMs; role of
the ocean in climate modelling; interannual variability of ocean fields (SST, winds,
circulation, etc.) and its relationship with monsoon, concepts of ocean – atmosphere
coupled models.

Synoptic Meteorology: Weather observations and transmission, synoptic charts,

analysis ofsurface, upper air another derivative chart, stream-lines, isotachs and contour
analysis; tilt and slope of pressure/weather systems with height. Synoptic weather
forecasting, prediction of weather elements such as rain, maximum and minimum
temperature and fog; hazardous weather elements like thunderstorms, duststorms,
tornadoes. Tropical meteorology: Trade wind inversion, ITCZ; monsoon trough tropical
cyclones, their structure and development theory; monsoon depressions; tropical
easterly jet stream; low level jets, Somali jet, waves in easterlies; western disturbances;
SW and NE monsoons; synoptic features associated with onset, withdrawal, break
active and weak monsoons and their prediction. Air masses and fronts: sources, origin
and classification of air masses; and fronts, frontogenesis and frontolysis; structure of
cold and warm fronts; weather systems associated with fronts. Extra-tropical synoptic
scale features: jet streams, extratropical cyclones and anticyclones.
8) Aviation Meteorology: Role of meteorology in aviation, weather hazards
associated with takeoff cruising and landing, inflight – icing, turbulence, visibility, fog,
clouds, rain, gusts, wind
shear and thunderstorms, nowcasting and very short range forecasting. 10) Satellite
Meteorology: Meteorological satellites – Polar orbiting and geostationary satellites,
visible and infrared radiometers, multiscanner radiometers; identification of synoptic
systems, fog and sandstorms, detection of cyclones, estimation of SST, cloud top
temperatures, winds and rainfall: temperature and humidity soundings.

(V) OCEAN SCIENCES

1) Physical Oceanography: T-S diagrams; mixing processes in the oceans;

characteristics of important water masses. Wind generated waves in the oceans; their
characteristics; shallow and deep water waves. Propagation, refraction, and reflection of
waves. Wave spectrum, principles of wave forecasting. Tide-producing forces and their
magnitudes; prediction of tides by the harmonic method; tides and tidal currents in
shallow seas, estuaries and rivers. Factors influencing coastal processes; transformation
of waves in shallow water; effects of stratification; effect of bottom friction, phenomena
of wave reflection, refraction and diffraction; breakers and surf; littoral currents; wave
action on sediments – movement to beach material; rip currents; beach stability, ocean
beach nourishment; harbour resonance; seiches; tsunami; interaction of waves and
structure. Estuaries: classification and nomenclature; tides in estuaries; estuarine
circulation and mixing; depth – averaged and breadth – averaged models;
sedimentation in estuaries; salinity intrusion in estuaries; effect of stratification; coastal
pollution; mixing and dispersal of pollutants in estuaries and nearshore areas; coastal
zone management. The global wind system; action of wind on ocean surface;
Ekman‟stheory; Sverdrup, Stommel and Munk‟s theories; upwelling and sinking with
special reference to the Indian ocean. Inertial currents; divergences and convergences;
geostrophic motion; barotropic and baroclinic conditions; oceanic eddies, relationship
between density, pressure and dynamic topography; relative and slope currents. Wind
driven coastal currents; typical scales of motion in the ocean. Characteristics of the
global conveyor belt circulation and its causes. Formation of subtropical gyres; western
boundary currents; equatorial current systems; El Nino; monsoonal winds and currents
over the North Indian Ocean; Somali current; southern ocean. Upwelling process in the
Arabian Sea.
2) Chemical Oceanography: Composition of seawater – Classification of elements
based on their distribution; major and minor elements, their behavior and chemical
exchanges across interfaces and residence times in seawater. Element chemistry in
atypical conditions-estuaries, hydrothermal vents, anoxic basins, HNLC waters,
sediment pore fluid and anthropogenic inputs. Chemical and biological interactions –
Ionic interactions; biochemical cycling of nutrients, tracemetals and organic matter. Air-
sea exchange of important biogenic dissolved gases; carbon dioxidecarbonate system;
alkalinity and control of pH; biological pump. Factors affecting sedimentary deposits-
CaCO3, Silicate, Manganese nodules, phosphorites and massive single deposits.

3) Geological Oceanography: Same topics as under subhead “Marine Geology &

paleooceanography”

4) Biological Oceanography: Classification of the marine environment and marine

organisms. Physio-chemical factors affecting marine life – light, temperature, salinity,
pressure, nutrients, dissolved gases; adaptation and biological processes. Primary and
secondary production; factors controlling phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance
and diversity; nekton and fisheries oceanography; benthic organisms; coastal marine
communities and community ecology – estuaries, coral reefs and mangrove
communities, deep-sea ecology including hydrothermal vent communities. Energy flow
and mineral cycling – energy transfer and transfer efficiencies through different trophic
levels; food webs including the microbial loop. Human impacts on marine communities;
impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity. Impact of pollution on marine
environments including fisheries.