1. Description of the climate system and its components

• 1.1 Introduction
  
  
• 1.2 The atmosphere
  • 1.2.1 Composition and temperature
  • 1.2.2 General circulation of the atmosphere
  • 1.2.3 Precipitation
  
  
• 1.3 The ocean
  • 1.3.1 Composition and properties
  • 1.3.2 Oceanic circulation
  • 1.3.3 Temperature and salinity
    • 1.3.3.1 Surface layer
    • 1.3.3.2 Intermediate and deep layers
  
  
• 1.4 The cryosphere
  • 1.4.1 Components of the cryosphere
  • 1.4.2 Properties of the cryosphere
  
  
• 1.5 The land surface
  
  
• Cited references and further reading
  
  
• Exercices
  
  
• Web links