701-0216-00L Biogeochemical Cycles
| Semester | Autumn Semester 2017 |
| Lecturers | B. Wehrli |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Abstract | Biogeochemical cycles are discussed from global or regional perspectives, important methods to determine reaction rates and pathways are introduced and typical reaction mechansims are discussed at a molecular level. |
| Objective | The students will be able to * explain how molecular processes govern global biogeochemical cycles; * apply simple numerical models of biogeochemical processes (equilibrium-, mass-balance, transport-reaction models); * interpret concentration changes in time and space and deduce rates of biogeochemical processes. |
| Content | Biogeochemical cycles in aquatic systems will be discussed from three perspectives: 1) Case studies with a gloabal or regional point of view will document the relevant background information on rates, time-scales and reservoirs of selected element cycles such as C, N, P, S, Fe, Mn Cd, Cu, Mo and As. 2) From a practical perspective we will compare the potential and limits of different methods to quantify biogeochemical processes in aquatic systems. 3) On a molecular level we will discuss mechanisms and pathways of relevant reactions. |
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes and assignments will be available in German |
| Literature | Similar coverage of some topics: Steven R. Emerson, John I. Hedges: Chemical Oceanography and the Marine Carbon Cycle. Cambridge University Press 2008. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | Basic knowledge in chemistry and systems analysis |