Timothy Ian Eglinton: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Name	Prof. Dr. Timothy Ian Eglinton
Field	Biogeosciences
Address	Geologisches Institut ETH Zürich, NO G 59 Sonneggstrasse 5 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
Telephone	+41 44 633 92 91
E-mail	timothy.eglinton@eaps.ethz.ch
Department	Earth and Planetary Sciences
Relationship	Full Professor

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
651-4143-00L	Geobiology	3 credits	2V + 1U	T. I. Eglinton, C. Magnabosco, C. Welte, S. Wohlwend
Abstract	We will study traces in the lithosphere that have been left behind by organisms during the course of Earth history and mineral components, which were built through biological processes or used as sources of energy and nutrients by organisms. Traces of life from the past will be compared with the development of the diversity of today's organisms.
Learning objective	The course will allow you to ask questions about the origin and the evolution of life on Earth, to understand contemporary hypotheses and create new methods of developing them further. Theory is supplemented with observations in the field, exercises and the application of simple mathematical models. The course will enable you to integrate geobiological knowledge into topics that will be taught in subsequent earth science courses and into the current understanding of Earth history. You will learn to better understand modern geological settings and, if necessary, to recommend biogeochemically well-founded and responsible interventions or protective measures.
Content	The course focuses on (a) geobiochemical cycles that play major roles in Earth history in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, (b) biosynthetic and metabolic processes, which are essential for life, (c) organisms which regulate and maintain geochemical cycling, and (d) chemical signals of past life in the geological record. Accordingly, we must understand -- how biological cells and its components are built from essential elements and molecules, -- how cells function and which life styles organisms developed, -- where organisms can exist and which factors select for their presence, -- where biologically useable forms of energy come from, and under which conditions they can be exploited, -- how biological metabolism can change environmental conditions and composition, -- which biological products can lead to signals preserved in the rock record, and how biomolecules and elements are altered in sedimentary deposits, -- how organic and inorganic components are cycled through the biosphere, and how biogeochemical cycles function, -- how "biological innovations" evolved and changed in response to environmental changes. Applied Case Studies, which supplement and illustrate the contents: -- Scientific applications of geobiological knowledge are found in fields like Microbial Ecology, Geochemistry, Palaeontology, Sedimentology, Petrology, Ocean Research, Environmental Sciences, Astrobiology and Archaeology. -- Practical applications of geobiological knowledge are needed in fields like stabilisation of existing and design of safe waste repositories, surveilling ground water resources, sewage treatment, exploitation of and prospecting for fossil carbon sources, soil remediation, mineral exploration and leaching, forensic science and medicine.
651-4341-00L	Source to Sink Sedimentary Systems	3 credits	2G	M. Lupker, S. Willett, L. Bröder, T. I. Eglinton
Abstract	The transfer and redistribution of mass and chemical elements at the Earth’s surface is controlled by a wide range of processes that will affect the magnitude and nature of fluxes exported from continental fluvial systems. This course addresses the production, transport, and deposition of sediments from source to sink and their interaction with biogeochemical cycles.
Learning objective	This course aims at integrating different earth science disciplines (geomorphology, geochemistry, and tectonics) to gain a better understanding of the physical and biogeochemical processes at work across the sediment production, routing, and depositional systems. It will provide insight into how it is actually possible to “see a world in a grain of sand” by taking into account the cascade of physical and chemical processes that shaped and modified sediments and chemical elements from their source to their sink.
Content	Lectures will introduce the main source to sink concepts and cover physical and biogeochemical processes in upland, sediment producing areas (glacial and periglacial processes; mass movements; hillslopes and soil processes/development; critical zone biogeochemical processes). Field excursion (3 days, likely 4, 5 & 6 October, to be confirmed): will cover the upper Rhone from the Rhone glacier to the Rhone delta in Lake Geneva) as small scale source-to-sink system. Practicals comprise two problem sets as well as a small autonomous project on the Rhone catchment based on samples collected during the field trip.
Lecture notes	Lecture notes are provided online during the course. They summarize the current subjects week by week and provide the essential theoretical background.
Literature	Suggested references : - Sediment routing systems: the fate of sediments from Source to Sink by Philip A. Allen (Cambridge University Press) - Principles of soilscape and landscape evolution by Garry Willgoose (Cambridge University Press) - Geomorphology, the mechanics and chemistry of landscapes by Robert S. Anderson & Suzanne P. Anderson (Cambridge University Press)