A number of problems caused by technology simply require alternate technology for the solution. For ENGS 251, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Cushman-Roisin is both teacher and author of the course's textbook, Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics , published by Prentice Hall in 1994. For example, eutrophication in the Northern Adriatic has caused damage to the coastal waters. Eutrophication, or overabundance of nutrients, throws off the balance of marine life by sustaining too much algae in the water, decreasing fisheries and drastically affecting the recreational use of the shore. While this is occasionally caused by natural processes, it is most often exacerbated by pollution from fertilizers, detergents, and sewage.
Computer models are essential in our diagnosis and exploration of remediation strategies.
He is also working with similar mathematical models for the Norwegian fjords and other coastal waters. As applications of fluid dynamics, Cushman-Roisin's models connect with many more fields than just oceanography, and in fact, interact with the work of other numerical modelers at Thayer School. I'm just interested in it from an environmental engineering perspective.