Skip to content

Oceanography Reference Resources

Reference materials serve a variety of purposes and can sometimes be used effectively in searching the scientific literature. Reference materials can be used to:

Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences

Literature Guides


Discuss the organization of research literature and list reference materials in oceanography.

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias


Provide definitions of discipline terminology and/or general introductions to topics and concepts in oceanography. Some include references to the "primary" literature.

Directories


These are commonly alphabetical or subject listings of people, organizations, or places.

  • People
  • Organizations
    • Agencies and Institutions (OceanPortal) Includes over 1100 national and international organizations and laboratories
    • Annotated Acronyms and Abbreviations of Marine Science-Related International Organizations (Docs C 55.292:Ac7/981)
    • Directory of Academic Marine Programs in California (California Sea Grant College) 1993 (ref GC 31.6 D57)
    • Education and Training Programs in Oceanography and Related Fields (Marine Technology Society) 1995 (ref GC 31.6 E28 1995)
    • Gale's Ready Reference Shelf (HSU users only) Directory of organizations (associations, organizations and research institutions), publications (newspapers and periodicals), and databases.
    • Guide to the Marine Stations of the North Atlantic and European Waters (ref QH 91.65 E85 R68)
    • Marine Science Societies and Organizations (MareNet)

Scientific Reviews


Scientific reviews or "state-of-the-art" reviews critically survey a narrow topic and identify and evaluate research which has appeared in the "primary" literature. Extensive bibliographies of cited "primary" literature are commonly included. Scientific reviews typically appear in annual publications entitled "Annual review of ...", "Advances in ...", as well as in journals, especially those which have "review" as part of the title.

There are several ways to locate scientific reviews:

  1. Many annual review series have cumulative indexes.
  2. Individual review papers are commonly included in indexes. Create a search using the keyword "review" as part of your search strategy.
  3. The 39 titles in the "Annual Review of ..." publication series can be browsed or searched by keyword as far back as 1930.

Annual review series of interest in oceanography include the following titles. Use the Journal and Newspaper Finder to determine location and format.

Bibliographies


Bibliographies are compiled lists which gather together known research on a specific topic. They are generally more useful for retrospective rather than current searching. Listed below are some additional general oceanography and Pacific Coast bibliographies available in this Library.

  • General
    • Cumulative Bibliography on the History of Oceanography (Scripps Institute of Oceanography) Attempts to list all works on the history of oceanography from 1987 to the present. Compiled from the bibliography published annually in the History of Oceanography Newsletter.
    • Tidal Marsh Bibliography (Daiber) 1978 (QH 541.5 M3 D35)
  • Pacific Coast
    • Bibliography for the Coastal Circulation of the Eastern North Pacific (Viena) (GC 228.6 N68 V54)
    • Bibliography of Marine Geology and Oceanography, California Coast (Terry) 1955 (Cal Docs C 810 S6 #44) (California Division of Mines and Geology Special Report #44) Covers the literature up through 1955.
    • Ecology of the Southern California Bight Bibliography (Allen) 1989. Includes 6768 references on the Bight and other relevant literature from the west coast of North America.
    • Guided Bibliography of Coastal Salt Marsh Literature with Special Reference to the Pacific Northwest Region (Morgan) 1980 (ref QH 541.5 S25 G85)
    • Humboldt Bay, California, a Literature Survey (GC 856 W35 Hum Co Coll) The original literature survey along with accompanying bibliography was compiled in 1955 by the University of Washington Department of Oceanography. The bibliography portion is updated through 1969 by A Partial Bibliography on Humboldt Bay (GC 856 P37 Hum Co Coll).
    • Oceanography of the Nearshore Coastal Waters of the Northwest Relating to Possible Pollution (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) 1971 (Water Pollution Control Research Series 16070 EOK 07/71) (Docs EP 1.16:16070 EOK 07/71) Extensive literature review up through 1970 containing 3,100 references on the coastal zone from Cape Mendocino north to Washington.
    • Oceanography of the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Bering Strait (Grier) 1940 (GC 781 G75) Includes approximately 3000 references up through 1939. Emphasis is on biological oceanography.
    • Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program: Comprehensive Bibliography (Docs I 72.12/2:86-0058) Covers the Alaska OCS region.
    • Selected Geologic Literature on the California Continental Borderland and Adjacent Areas to January 1, 1975 (Roberts) (U.S. Geological Survey Circular 714) (Docs I 19.412:714) Overlaps but does not supercede the 1955 bibliography by Terry.
  • Marine biology

Treatises and Other Comprehensive Works


Treatises are authoritative compilations that summarize the state of knowledge in relatively broad fields of study. They tend to be wider in scope than "reviews" and are well documented with frequent references to "primary" literature.

  • Behavior of Marine Animals: Current Perspectives in Research (Winn) 1972- (QL 121 W5) Currently 6 vols.
  • Chemical Oceanography (Riley) 1975- (10 vols.) (GC 111.2 R592)
  • Ecological Characterization of the Central and Northern California Coastal Region (Jones & Stokes Associates) 1981 (FWS/OBS-80/46.2) (QH 105 C2 E36 1981 Hum Co Coll) Five volume work in eight parts. Prepared for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management as a compilation and synthesis of existing information that can be used to evaluate potential ecological consequences of urban, industrial and commercial development in the area. The bibliography is intended to be a guide to additional environmental information. The five volumes cover:
      Vol. 1: Basic Ecological Concepts
      Vol. 2.1: Regional Characterization
      Vol. 2.2: Species - contains species accounts for 200 plant and animal species that live within the central and northern California coastal region.
      Vol. 3.1: Habitats - contains ecological characterizations of 45 marine, estuarine, riverine, lacustrine (lakes), palustrine (ponds) and terrestrial habitats.
      Vol. 3.2: Community Composition Lists - contains extensive listings of species for each habitat type.
      Vol. 4: Watersheds and Basins - contains site specific information on the physical, biological, and cultural resources of 22 watersheds, e.g., Mad River Watershed unit, and five ocean basins.
      Vol. 5: Data Source Appendix
  • Ecological Characterization of the Pacific Northwest Coastal Region 1980 (5 vols.) (Docs I 49.2 Ec7/8) Survey prepared for the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
  • Geology of North America (Geological Society of America) 1986-1998 (QE 71 G48 1986) 23 volume series, includes volumes on the continental margins.
  • Handbook of Marine Mammals (Ridgeway & Harrison) 1981- (QL 713.2 H355) Currently 5 vols.
  • Marine Ecology: A Comprehensive Integrated Treatise on Life in the Oceans and Coastal Waters (Kinne) 1970-1984 (5 vols. in 12 parts) (QH 541.5 S3 K5)
  • Ocean Basins and Margins (Nairn) 1873-1988 (7 vols.) (QE 39 N27)
  • The Oceans: Their Physics, Chemistry, and General Biology (Sverdrup) 1942 (print copy available in GC 11 S85) The first major treatise on oceanography.
  • Reproduction of Marine Invertebrates (Giese & Pearse) 1974- (QP 251 G437) Mulivolume treatise.
  • The Sea: Ideas and Observations on Progress in the Study of the Seas (Hill) 1962- (GC 11 S4) The second major treatise on new developments in oceanography and still ongoing with new volumes, each with a unique title.
  • Summary of Knowledge of the Central and Northern California Coastal Zone and Offshore Areas (Winzler and Kelly) 1977 (ref GB 458.8 W56) (4 volumes in 7) Extensive summary of existing information through 1974 prepared for the US Bureau of Land Management as background information for potential of OCS oil leasing. Covers physical, biological, and socioeconomic conditions. Includes an 800 page bibliography.
  • Summary of Knowledge of the Oregon and Washington Coastal Zone and Offshore Areas (Oceangraphic Institute of Washington) 1977 (3 vols.) (microfiche MC 1473) Extensive survey of the knowledge of this area up through 1977 compiled for the Bureau of Land Management as background information for potential of OCS oil leasing
  • Treatise on Marine Ecology and Paleoecology (Hedgpeth) 1957 (Geological Society of America Memoir #67) (QE 1 G29m #67) The first major treatise on marine ecology.
  • United Nations Atlas of the Oceans (United Nations) Continuously updated database that contains information relevant to the sustainable development of the oceans and the state of ocean resources. It is designed for use by policy makers, scientists, students,and resource managers. There are four main entry points: 1) About the Ocean provides information on the history, physical charactistics, biology, and ecology of the oceans, including maps and statistical information; 2) Uses of the Ocean provides information on the many uses of the ocean, including tourism, mining, fishing, ocean dumping, and marine biotechnology; 3) Issues of the Oceans focuses on food security, climate change, human health and governance; and 4) Geography of the Oceans provides information categorized by geographical area.

Handbooks and Manuals


Handbooks commonly contain data and descriptive information that has been compiled from the "primary" literature and organized into tables or expository articles. Many basic and factual questions can be answered from handbooks. Manuals usually contain procedures for experimental analysis in the field or laboratory.

  • Coastal Engineering Manual (US Army Corps of Engineers) 2002-2003. Comprehensive manual that incorporates tools and procedures to plan, design, construct, and maintain coastal projects. The five volumes include the basic principles of coastal processes, methods for computing coastal planning and design parameters, and guidance on how to formulate and conduct studies in support of coastal flooding, shore protection, and navigation projects. Replacement for the older Shore Protection Manual.
  • Data Analyis Methods in Physical Oceanography (Emory and Thomson) 2001 (GC 57 E46 2001)
  • Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (ref QD 65 H3)
  • Handbook of Marine Science (Smith) 1974 (ref GC 24 S64)
  • Handbook of Oceanographic Tables (U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office Special Publication #68) (Docs D 203.22/3:68)
  • Handbook of Techniques for Aquatic Sediment Sampling (Mudroch & MacKnight) 1994 (GC 380.2 S28 H36 1994)
  • International Oceanographic Tables (Joint Panel in Oceanographic Tables and Standards) 1966- (4 vols.) (ref GC 24 J24)
  • Manual of Aquatic Sediment Sampling (Mudroch) 1995 (GC 380.2 S28 M83 1995)
  • Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater Analysis (Parson, Maita & Lall) 1984 (GC 101.2 P37 1984)
  • Manual of Methods in Aquatic Environmental Research, Parts 1-5 (Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) (FAO Fisheries Technical Papers #137, 150, 158, 164, 182) (SH 1 F203)
  • Manual on Methods for Measuring Primary Production in Aquatic Environments (Vollenweider) 1974 (QH 96 V56 1974)
  • Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Marine Sediments and Dredged Materials (Waltone) 1978 (GC 300.2 S28 M47)
  • Methods of Seawater Analysis (Grasshoff) 1983 (GC 101.2 M47 1983)
  • National Enviromental Methods Index (US Environmental Protection Agency) Database of analytical, test, and sampling methods for environmental monitoring that are used by federal agencies. Search by analyte, instrument, source, medium and other parameters.
  • Nautical Almanac (ref Docs D 218.11) Annual compilation of data for the practice of astronomical navigation at sea.
  • Oceanographic Survey Techniques and Living Resources Assessment Methods (Tortell & Awosika) 1996 (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Manuals and Guides No. 32)
  • Practical Handbook of Marine Science (Kennish) 1994 (ref GC 11.2 P73)
  • Procedures for Handling and Chemical Analysis of Sediment and Water Samples (Plumb) 1981 (QD 79 S4 P58)
  • Studying Temperature Marine Environments: A Handbook for Ecologists (Kingsford and Battershill) 2000 (QH 541.5.S3 S78 2000)
  • Techniques in Marine Environmental Sciences (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) 1987- (GC 1080 T43)

Laws and Regulations


  • General
  • Federal Laws and Regulations
    • For Federal statutory, case, and administrative law in the HSU Library see General Legal Materials: Primary Sources
    • Marine Mammal Commission Compendium of Selected Treaties, International Agreements, and other Relevant Documents on Marine Resources, Wildlife, and the Environment (Wallace) 1994 (Docs Y 3 M33/3:2 771) Includes over 400 treaties and international agreements.
    • Compilation of Federal Laws Relating to Conservation and Development of Our Nation's Fish and Wildlife Resources, Environmental Quality, and Oceanography (US House Committee on Merchant Marine & Fisheries) 1977 (Docs Y 4 M53 95-13)
    • Selected Oceans and Coastal Resources Statutes (Oceans & Coastal Resources: A Briefing Book)
  • California Laws and Regulations

Graphics and Images


One can use a combination of general and specialized Internet search engines to find images on the web. See Search Engines for Images, Multimedia, & Video (HSU Library Digital Media Center) for a list of specialized search engines. However, search engines fail to index the content of the "invisible web", especially information contained within databases. The following resources are either specialized databases or sites devoted to images or sounds in oceanography.

Geospatial Resources: Atlases and Maps


Oceanographic atlases and maps graphically compile large quantities of oceanographic station to give a composite picture of various oceanographic properties. In addition to the following resources see Geospatial Resources--Marine Maps and California Map--Coast and Ocean.

Environmental Reviews, Assessments, & Plans


Contain analysis of environmental policies and issues and may also contain statistical data. For general reviews see Environmental Reviews. Reviews more specific to oceanography include:

  • America's Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change (Pew Oceans Commission) 2003 (cd-rom containing all the documents is available in GC 1020 P48 2003) Contains a final report on the State of America's Oceans; recommendations for implementation; and supporting reports on Managing Marine Fisheries in the United States, A Dialogue on America’s Fisheries, Socioeconomic Perspectives on Marine Fisheries in the United States, Marine Reserves: A Tool for Ecosystem Management and Conservation, Ecological Effects of Fishing, Coastal Sprawl, Marine Pollution, Marine Aquaculture and Introduced Species.
  • National Coastal Condition Report (US Environmental Protection Agency) Report compiles and summarizes data sets from several agencies and areas of the country to present a broad baseline picture of the condition of coastal waters, primarily estuaries in the United States. Indicators of coastal conditions are derived from data on water quality, sediment quality, biota, habitat, and ecosystem integrity, as they relate to ecological and human health.
  • Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century (US Commission on Ocean Policy) 2004. Contains the Commission’s final recommendations for a comprehensive national ocean policy, along with supporting documents developed by the Commission.
  • Ocean Yearbook (International Ocean Institute) Annual (GC 1 O2) Contains topical articles on major ocean issues of the year ranging from political to scientific.
  • Our Living Oceans: Report on the Status of U.S. Living Marine Resources (US National Marine Fisheries Service) 1999 (print copies available in Docs C 55.13/2:NMFS-F/SPO #1) Presents national and regional overviews on the status of U.S. living marine resources.
  • Seas at the Millennium: An Environmental Evaluation (Sheppard) 2000 (QH 541.5 S3 S35 2000 ) Major three-volume evaluation.
  • State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States (US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) 2002 (print copy available in Docs C 55.402 Ec7) First-ever national assessment of the condition of U.S. coral reefs. Report identifies the pressures that pose increasing risks to reefs, particularly in “hot spots” located near population centers; assesses the health of reef resources; ranks threats in 13 geographic areas; and details mitigation efforts.
  • State of the Coast (US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) 1998-2001. Series of essays on the health of the coastal areas of the United States.
  • Status of Coral Reefs of the World (Australian Institute of Marine Science) Biennial report includes individual regional chapters.

Data Sources


Beginning with the Challenger expedition in 1872 vast quantities of marine environmental data have been collected by oceanographic expeditions and programs conducted by institutions, nations and international cooperatives. Data collected was originally published in encyclopedic sets. Sets available in the HSU Library are listed below under Historic Data Collections. In recent times remote sensing satellites and automated facilities scattered throughout the ocean basins supply a continuous flow of data which resides in numerous databases. See the Guides to Data and Modern Data Sources below.

Send comments and suggestions about this page to: Robert Sathrum
Last Updated: March 5, 2007

The Library, Humboldt State University, One Harpst St., Arcata, California  95521-8299
Telephone:  707-826-3441    Fax: 707-826-3440