Download Biogeochemistry - studiegids UGent

Course
Specifications
Valid in the academic year 2016-2017
Biogeochemistry (C003823)
Course size
Credits 3.0
(nominal values; actual values may depend on programme)
Study time 90 h
Contact hrs
30.0 h
Course offerings in academic year 2016-2017
A (semester 1)
Lecturers in academic year 2016-2017
Elskens, Marc
VUB
Offered in the following programmes in 2016-2017
Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and
Management
lecturer-in-charge
crdts
3
offering
A
Teaching languages
English
Keywords
Position of the course
Contents
Partim F. Dehairs:
• Fundamental knowledge about stable isotopes
• C, N, O, S isotopic signatures as tracers of biogeochemical processes in natural
• systems
• 13C/12C, 15N/14N fractionation during biological processes; e.g. carbon fixation;
• nutrient uptake; trophic interactions
• The carbon cycle and anthropogenic impact
• Changing carbon reservoirs and 13C/12C fractionation to track carbon translocations
• Stable isotopes of Ca, Sr as tracers of biogeochemical processes
• Natural radio-isotopes of the 238U, 232Th, 235U series
• Radiogenic Pb isotopes as tracers of Pb pollution- 210Pb acitivity and age
• assessment of recent (100 yr) deposits.
Partim E. Boschker:
• The role of micro-organisms in biogeochemical cycles.
• Micro-organisms like bacteria and fungi are abundant in the environment and play a
• crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of elements. Many processes are for
• instance exclusively microbial.
• The diversity of microbial processes and the organisms involved in these processes
• will be presented. Major contributions of micro-organisms to the cycling of carbon,
• nitrogen and sulfur will be shown for the marine, freshwater and terrestrial systems.
• Many microbes operate in consortia where several organisms contribute to the
• overall process. Processes in sediments, like nitrification, denitrification, sulfate
• reduction and methane production and oxidation, will be used to illustrate the role of
• microbes in biogeochemical cycli. Degradation of organic matter by bacteria is the
• driving factor in many aspects of the chemistry of these sediments.
Initial competences
Basic knowledge in chemistry, biology and geology as acquired during a bacelor in
chemistry, biology, geology.
Final competences
The student has gained insight in the use of natural tracers (stable isotopes and radioisotopes)as proxies of chemical, biological and geochemical processes occurring in
(Approved)
1
natural systems.
Conditions for credit contract
Access to this course unit via a credit contract is determined after successful competences
assessment
Conditions for exam contract
This course unit cannot be taken via an exam contract
Teaching methods
Lecture, seminar, self-reliant study activities
Learning materials and price
Notes consisting of the slides shown during the lectures and specific research papers
will be available via Poincarré
References
Books available in the library of ANCH dept.:
• Carbon Isotope Techniques;
• Nitrogen Isotope Techniques;
• Tracers in the Sea;
• Stable Isotope Geochemistry;
• Marine Biogeochemistry;
• Earth Processes: Reading the Isotope Code;
• Organic Geochemistry;
• Geochemistry, Groundwater and Pollution;
• Biogeochemistry of Major World Rivers
Course content-related study coaching
Evaluation methods
end-of-term evaluation
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the first examination period
Oral examination
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the second examination period
Oral examination
Examination methods in case of permanent evaluation
Possibilities of retake in case of permanent evaluation
not applicable
Extra information on the examination methods
Oral examination following a written preparation of the answers.
Calculation of the examination mark
(Approved)
2