Final answer:
The study in question is called Climatology, which is focused on long-term patterns and historical climates rather than short-term weather patterns like Meteorology; it is part of the broader field of Atmospheric Science.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of how the ocean, atmosphere, and land have interacted in the past to produce changes in ocean chemistry, circulation, biology, and climate is called Climatology. This subject is particularly crucial in understanding the dynamics of past climate systems, which can also provide insights into future climate scenarios.
Climatology is related to, but distinct from, meteorology, which focuses more on short-term weather patterns rather than the longer-term trends and ancient conditions that are the concern of climatology. Additionally, the field of atmospheric science combines elements of both meteorology and climatology to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the atmosphere.