Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021

Environmental Sciences Master

Major in Atmosphere and Climate

Hydrology and Water Cycle

Number

Title

Type

ECTS

Hours

Lecturers

651-4053-05L

Boundary Layer Meteorology

4 credits

M. Rotach, P. Calanca

Abstract

The Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) constitutes the interface between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface. Theory on transport processes in the PBL and their dynamics is provided. The course starts by providing the theoretical background and reviewing idealized concepts. These are contrasted to real world applications and discussed in the context of current research issues.

Learning objective

Overall goals of this course are given below. Focus is on the theoretical background and idealized concepts.
Students have basic knowledge on atmospheric turbulence and theoretical as well as practical approaches to treat Planetary Boundary Layer flows. They are familiar with the relevant processes (turbulent transport, forcing) within, and typical states of the Planetary Boundary Layer. Idealized concepts are known as well as their adaptations under real surface conditions (as for example over complex topography).

Content

- Introduction
- Turbulence
- Statistical tratment of turbulence, turbulent transport
- Conservation equations in a turbulent flow
- Closure problem and closure assumptions
- Scaling and similarity theory
- Spectral characteristics
- Concepts for non-ideal boundary layer conditions

Lecture notes

available (i.e. in English)

Literature

- Stull, R.B.: 1988, "An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology", (Kluwer), 666 pp.
- Panofsky, H. A. and Dutton, J.A.: 1984, "Atmospheric Turbulence, Models and Methods for Engineering Applications", (J. Wiley), 397 pp.
- Kaimal JC and Finningan JJ: 1994, Atmospheric Boundary Layer Flows, Oxford University Press, 289 pp.
- Wyngaard JC: 2010, Turbulence in the Atmosphere, Cambridge University Press, 393pp.

Prerequisites / Notice

Umwelt-Fluiddynamik (701-0479-00L) (environment fluid dynamics) or equivalent and basic knowledge in atmospheric science

Electives

Weather Systems and Atmospheric Dynamics

Number

Title

Type

ECTS

Hours

Lecturers

701-1281-00L

Self-Learning Course on Advanced Topics in Atmospheric and Climate Science (HS)

Please contact one of the professors listed under prerequisites/notice if you plan to take this course.

Students are allowed to enroll in both courses 701-1280-00L & 701-1281-00L Self-learning Course on Advanced Topics in Atmospheric and Climate Science but have to choose different supervisors.

3 credits

Supervisors

Abstract

This course offers an individual pathway to deepen knowledge and understanding of a specific advanced topic in atmospheric and climate science in one of these fields:
- atmospheric chemistry
- atmospheric dynamics
- atmospheric physics
- climate modeling
- climate physics
- land-climate dynamics
- atmospheric circulation
- paleoclimate
- ocean biogeochemical dynamics

Learning objective

The learning goals of this course are threefold: 1) obtain novel insight into an advanced scientific topic, 2) train the self-study competences in particular related to reading of advanced textbooks and writing a concise summary, and 3) gain experience in the scientific interaction with experts. The format of the course is complementary to other types of teaching (lectures and seminars) and addresses skills that are essential for a wide range of professional activities (including a PhD).

Content

The course has the following elements:
Week 1: Selection of specific topic and decision about reading material (textbook chapters and maybe 1-2 review papers)
Week 2: General discussion about self-study skills (how to read scientific literature and write summaries; specifics of scientific writing; how to prepare efficient meetings). For the scientific writing, students are encouraged to participate in an online training course offered by Stanford University:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/sciwrite?action=enroll
Weeks 6 and 9: Meetings with supervisor to clarify scientific questions
Week 12: Hand-in of written summary (4 pages maximum)
Week 14: Supervisor provides written feedback to the summary document
Week 16: Oral exam about the scientific topic

Literature

Literature (including book chapters, scientific publications) will be provided by the responsible supervisor in coordination with the student.

Prerequisites / Notice

Prerequisites depend on the chosen field and include successful completion of the listed lecture courses:
• atmospheric dynamics: “Dynamics of large-scale atmospheric flow” (701-1221-00L)
• atmospheric chemistry: “Stratospheric Chemistry” (701-1233-00L) or “Tropospheric Chemistry” (701-1234-00L) or “Aerosols I” (402-0572-00L).
• atmospheric physics: “Atmospheric Physics” (701-0475-00L)
• climate physics: “Klimasysteme” (701-0412-00L) or equivalent
• land-climate dynamics: “Land-climate dynamics” (701-1251-00L)
• climate modeling: “Numerical modeling of weather and climate” (701-1216-00L) (parallel attendance possible)
• atmospheric circulation: "Dynamics of large-scale atmospheric flow (701-1221-00L)"
• paleoclimate: “Climate History and Paleoclimate” (651-4057-00L)
• ocean biogeochemical dynamics: “Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate” (701-1317-00L)

If you plan to take this course, please contact one of the professors according to your interest.
• atmospheric chemistry (Prof. T. Peter)
• atmospheric dynamics (Prof. H. Wernli)
• atmospheric physics (Prof. U. Lohmann)
• climate modeling (Prof. C. Schär)
• climate physics (Prof. R. Knutti)
• land-climate dynamics (Prof. S. Seneviratne)
• atmospheric circulation (Prof. S. Schemm)
• paleoclimate (Prof. H. Stoll)
• ocean biogeochemical dynamics (Prof. N. Gruber)

Climate Processes and Feedbacks

Number

Title

Type

ECTS

Hours

Lecturers

701-1221-00L

Dynamics of Large-Scale Atmospheric Flow

4 credits

2V + 1U

H. Wernli, L. Papritz

Abstract

This lecture course is about the fundamental aspects of the dynamics of extratropical weather systems (quasi-geostropic dynamics, potential vorticity, Rossby waves, baroclinic instability). The fundamental concepts are formally introduced, quantitatively applied and illustrated with examples from the real atmosphere. Exercises (quantitative and qualitative) form an essential part of the course.

Learning objective

Understanding the dynamics of large-scale atmospheric flow

Content

Dynamical Meteorology is concerned with the dynamical processes of the
earth's atmosphere. The fundamental equations of motion in the atmosphere will be discussed along with the dynamics and interactions of synoptic system - i.e. the low and high pressure systems that determine our weather. The motion of such systems can be understood in terms of quasi-geostrophic theory. The lecture course provides a derivation of the mathematical basis along with some interpretations and applications of the concept.

Lecture notes

Dynamics of large-scale atmospheric flow

Literature

- Holton J.R., An introduction to Dynamic Meteorogy. Academic Press, fourth edition 2004,
- Pichler H., Dynamik der Atmosphäre, Bibliographisches Institut, 456 pp. 1997

Prerequisites / Notice

Physics I, II, Environmental Fluid Dynamics

701-1257-00L

European Climate Change

3 credits

C. Schär, J. Rajczak, S. C. Scherrer

Abstract

The lecture provides an overview of climate change in Europe, from a physical and atmospheric science perspective. It covers the following topics:
• observational datasets, observation and detection of climate change;
• underlying physical processes and feedbacks;
• numerical and statistical approaches;
• currently available projections.

Learning objective

At the end of this course, participants should:
• understand the key physical processes shaping climate change in Europe;
• know about the methodologies used in climate change studies, encompassing observational, numerical, as well as statistical approaches;
• be familiar with relevant observational and modeling data sets;
• be able to tackle simple climate change questions using available data sets.

Content

Contents:
• global context
• observational data sets, analysis of climate trends and climate variability in Europe
• global and regional climate modeling
• statistical downscaling
• key aspects of European climate change: intensification of the water cycle, Polar and Mediterranean amplification, changes in extreme events, changes in hydrology and snow cover, topographic effects
• projections of European and Alpine climate change

Lecture notes

Slides and lecture notes will be made available at
http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/master/electives/european-climate-change.html

Prerequisites / Notice

Participants should have a background in natural sciences, and have attended introductory lectures in atmospheric sciences or meteorology.

701-1281-00L

Self-Learning Course on Advanced Topics in Atmospheric and Climate Science (HS)

3 credits

Supervisors

Abstract

Learning objective

Content

Literature

Literature (including book chapters, scientific publications) will be provided by the responsible supervisor in coordination with the student.

Prerequisites / Notice

651-4057-00L

Climate History and Palaeoclimatology

3 credits

H. Stoll, I. Hernández Almeida, H. Zhang

Abstract

Climate history and paleoclimatology explores how the major features of the earth's climate system have varied in the past, and the driving forces and feedbacks for these changes. The major topics include the earth's CO2 concentration and mean temperature, the size and stability of ice sheets and sea level, the amount and distribution of precipitation, and the ocean heat transport.

Learning objective

The student will be able to describe the natural factors lead to variations in the earth's mean temperature, the growth and retreat of ice sheets, and variations in ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns, including feedback processes. Students will be able to interpret evidence of past climate changes from the main climate indicators or proxies recovered in geological records. Students will be able to use data from climate proxies to test if a given hypothesized mechanism for the climate change is supported or refuted. Students will be able to compare the magnitudes and rates of past changes in the carbon cycle, ice sheets, hydrological cycle, and ocean circulation, with predictions for climate changes over the next century to millennia.

Content

1. Overview of elements of the climate system and earth energy balance
2. The Carbon cycle - long and short term regulation and feedbacks of atmospheric CO2. What regulates atmospheric CO2 over long tectonic timescales of millions to tens of millions of years? What are the drivers and feedbacks of transient perturbations like at the latest Palocene? What drives CO2 variations over glacial cycles and what drives it in the Anthropocene?
3. Ice sheets and sea level - What do expansionist glaciers want? What is the natural range of variation in the earth's ice sheets and the consequent effect on sea level? How do cyclic variations in the earth's orbit affect the size of ice sheets under modern climate and under past warmer climates? What conditions the mean size and stability or fragility of the large polar ice caps and is their evidence that they have dynamic behavior? What rates and magnitudes of sea level change have accompanied past ice sheet variations? When is the most recent time of sea level higher than modern, and by how much? What lessons do these have for the future?
4. Atmospheric circulation and variations in the earth's hydrological cycle - How variable are the earth's precipitation regimes? How large are the orbital scale variations in global monsoon systems? Will mean climate change El Nino frequency and intensity? What factors drive change in mid and high-latitude precipitation systems? Is there evidence that changes in water availability have played a role in the rise, demise, or dispersion of past civilizations?
5. The Ocean heat transport - How stable or fragile is the ocean heat conveyor, past and present? When did modern deepwater circulation develop? Will Greenland melting and shifts in precipitation bands, cause the North Atlantic Overturning Circulation to collapse? When and why has this happened before?

Atmospheric Composition and Cycles

Number

Title

Type

ECTS

Hours

Lecturers

701-1235-00L

Cloud Microphysics

Number of participants limited to 16.

Priority is given to PhD students majoring in Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, and remaining open spaces will be offered to the following groups:
- PhD student Environmental sciences
- MSc in Atmospheric and climate science
- MSc in Environmental sciences

All participants will be on the waiting list at first. Enrollment is possible until September 22nd, 2021. The waiting list is active until October 1st, 2021. All students will be informed on September 16th, if they can participate in the lecture.
The lecture takes place if a minimum of 5 students register for it.

4 credits

2V + 1U

U. Lohmann, N. Shardt

Abstract

Clouds are a fascinating atmospheric phenomenon central to the hydrological cycle and the Earth`s climate. Interactions between cloud particles can result in precipitation, glaciation or evaporation of the cloud depending on its microstructure and microphysical processes.

Learning objective

The learning objective of this course is that students understand the formation of clouds and precipitation and can apply learned principles to interpret atmospheric observations of clouds and precipitation.

Content

see: http://www.iac.ethz.ch/edu/courses/master/modules/cloud-microphysics.html
and: https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=15424

Lecture notes

This course will be designed as a reading course in 1-2 small groups of 8 students maximum. It will be based on the textbook below. The students are expected to read chapters of this textbook prior to the class so that open issues, fascinating and/or difficult aspects can be discussed in depth.

Literature

Lamb and Verlinde: PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF CLOUDS, Cambridge University Press, 2011

Prerequisites / Notice

Target group: Doctoral and Master students in Atmosphere and Climate

Competencies

Subject-specific Competencies	Concepts and Theories	assessed
Method-specific Competencies	Analytical Competencies	assessed
	Problem-solving	assessed
Social Competencies	Communication	assessed
Personal Competencies	Critical Thinking	assessed
	Self-direction and Self-management	assessed

701-1281-00L

Self-Learning Course on Advanced Topics in Atmospheric and Climate Science (HS)

3 credits

Supervisors

Abstract

Learning objective

Content

Literature

Literature (including book chapters, scientific publications) will be provided by the responsible supervisor in coordination with the student.

Prerequisites / Notice

102-0635-01L

Air Pollution Control

6 credits

J. Wang, B. Buchmann

Abstract

The lecture provides in the first part an introduction to the formation of air pollutants by technical processes, the emission of these chemicals into the atmosphere and their impact on air quality. The second part covers different strategies and techniques for emission reduction. The basic knowledge is deepened by the discussion of specific air pollution problems of today's society.

Learning objective

The students gain general knowledge of the technical processes resulting in air pollution and study the methods used for air pollution control. The students can identify major air pollution sources and understand the methods for measuring pollutants, collecting and analyzing data. The students can suggest and evaluate possible control methods and equipment, design control systems and estimate their efficiency and efforts.
The students know the different strategies of air pollution control and are familiar with their scientific fundamentals. They are able to incorporate goals concerning air quality into their engineering work.

Content

Part 1 Emission, Immission, Transmission
Fluxes of pollutants and their environmental impact:
- physical and chemical processes leading to emission of pollutants
- mass and energy of processes
- Emission measurement techniques and concepts
- quantification of emissions from individual and aggregated sources
- extent and development of the emissions (Switzerland and global)
- propagation and transport of pollutants (transmission)
- meteorological parameters influencing air pollution dispersion
- deterministic and stochastic models, describing air pollution dispersion
- dispersion models (Gaussian model, box model, receptor model)
- measurement concepts for ambient air (immission level)
- extent and development of ambient air mixing ratios
- goal and instrument of air pollution control

Part 2 Air Pollution Control Technologies
The reduction of the formation of pollutants is done by modifying the processes (pro-cessintegrated measures) and by different engineering operations for the cleaning of waste gas (downstream pollution control). It will be demonstrated, that the variety of these procedures can be traced back to the application of a few basic physical and chemical principles.

Procedures for the removal of particles (inertial separator, filtration, electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers) with their different mechanisms (field forces, impaction and diffusion processes) and the modelling of these mechanisms.

Procedures for the removal of gaseous pollutants and the description of the driving forces involved, as well as the equilibrium and the kinetics of the relevant processes (absorption, adsorption as well as thermal, catalytic and biological conversions).

Discussion of the technical possibilities to solve the actual air pollution problems.

Lecture notes

Brigitte Buchmann, Air pollution control, Part I
Jing Wang, Air pollution control, Part II
Lecture slides and exercises

Literature

List of literature included in script

Prerequisites / Notice

College lectures on basic physics, chemistry and mathematics.
Language of instruction: In German or in English.

651-4053-05L

Boundary Layer Meteorology

4 credits

M. Rotach, P. Calanca

Abstract

Learning objective

Content

Lecture notes

available (i.e. in English)

Literature

Prerequisites / Notice

Umwelt-Fluiddynamik (701-0479-00L) (environment fluid dynamics) or equivalent and basic knowledge in atmospheric science

Climate History and Palaeoclimatology

Number

Title

Type

ECTS

Hours

Lecturers

701-1281-00L

Self-Learning Course on Advanced Topics in Atmospheric and Climate Science (HS)

3 credits

Supervisors

Abstract

Learning objective

Content

Literature

Literature (including book chapters, scientific publications) will be provided by the responsible supervisor in coordination with the student.

Prerequisites / Notice

651-4041-00L

Sedimentology I: Physical Processes and Sedimentary Systems

3 credits

V. Picotti

Abstract

Sediments preserved a record of past landscapes. This courses focuses on understanding the processes that modify sedimentary landscapes with time and how we can read this changes in the sedimentary record.

Learning objective

The students learn basic concepts of modern sedimentology and stratigraphy in the context of sequence stratigraphy and sea level change. They discuss the advantages and pitfalls of the method and look beyond. In particular we pay attention to introducing the importance of considering entire sediment routing systems and understanding their functionning.

Content

Details on the program will be handed out during the first lecture.

We will attribute the papers for presentation on the 26th, so please be here on that day!

Literature

The sedimentary record of sea-level change
Angela Coe, the Open University.
Cambridge University Press

Prerequisites / Notice

The grading of students is based on in-class exercises and end-semester examination.

651-4043-00L

Sedimentology II: Biological and Chemical Processes in Lacustrine and Marine Systems

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the MSc-course "Sedimentology I" (651-4041-00L).

3 credits

V. Picotti, A. Gilli, I. Hernández Almeida, H. Stoll

Abstract

The course will focus on biological amd chemical aspects of sedimentation in marine environments. Marine sedimentation will be traced from coast to deep-sea. The use of stable isotopes palaeoceanography will be discussed. Neritic, hemipelagic and pelagic sediments will be used as proxies for environmental change during times of major perturbations of climate and oceanography.

Learning objective

-You will understand chemistry and biology of the marine carbonate system
-You will be able to relate carbonate mineralogy with facies and environmental conditions
-You will be familiar with cool-water and warm-water carbonates
-You will see carbonate and organic-carbon rich sediments as part of the global carbon cycle
-You will be able to recognize links between climate and marine carbonate systems (e.g. acidification of oceans and reef growth)
-You will be able to use geological archives as source of information on global change
-You will have an overview of marine sedimentation through time

Content

-carbonates,: chemistry, mineralogy, biology
-carbonate sedimentation from the shelf to the deep sea
-carbonate facies
-cool-water and warm-water carbonates
-organic-carbon and black shales
-C-cycle, carbonates, Corg : CO2 sources and sink
-Carbonates: their geochemical proxies for environmental change: stable isotopes, Mg/Ca, Sr
-marine sediments thorugh geological time
-carbonates and evaporites
-lacustrine carbonates
-economic aspects of limestone

Lecture notes

no script. scientific articles will be distributed during the course

Literature

We will read and critically discuss scientific articles relevant for "biological and chemical processes in marine and lacustrine systems"

Prerequisites / Notice

The grading of students is based on in-class exercises and end-semester examination.

651-4901-00L

Quaternary Dating Methods

3 credits

I. Hajdas, M. Christl, S. Ivy Ochs

Abstract

Reconstruction of time scales is critical for all Quaternary studies in both Geology and Archeology. Various methods are applied depending on the time range of interest and the archive studied. In this lecture, we focus on the last 50 ka and the methods that are most frequently used for dating Quaternary sediments and landforms in this time range.

Learning objective

Students will be made familiar with the details of the six dating methods through lectures on basic principles, analysis of case studies, solving of problem sets for age calculation and visits to dating laboratories.

At the end of the course students will:
1. understand the fundamental principles of the most frequently used dating methods for Quaternary studies.
2. be able to calculate an age based on data of the six methods studied.
3. choose which dating method (or combination of methods) is suitable for a certain field problem.
4. critically read and evaluate the application of dating methods in scientific publications.

Content

1. Introduction: Time scales for the Quaternary, Isotopes and decay
2. Radiocarbon dating: principles and applications
3. Cosmogenic nuclides: 3He,10Be, 14C, 21Ne, 26Cl, 36Cl
4. U-series disequilibrium dating
5. Luminescence dating
6. Introduction to incremental: varve counting, dendrochronology and ice cores chronologies
7. Cs-137 and Pb-210 (soil, sediments, ice core)
8. Summary and comparison of results from several dating methods at specific sites

Prerequisites / Notice

Visit to radiocarbon lab, cosmogenic nuclide lab, accelerator (AMS) facility.

Visit to Limno Lab and sampling a sediment core
Optional (individual): 1-5 days hands-on radiocarbon dating at the C14 lab at ETH Hoenggerebrg

Required: attending the lecture, visiting laboratories, handing back solutions for problem sets (Exercises)

Hydrology and Water Cycle

Number

Title

Type

ECTS

Hours

Lecturers

701-0535-00L

Environmental Soil Physics/Vadose Zone Hydrology

3 credits

2V + 1U

A. Carminati, P. U. Lehmann Grunder

Abstract

The course provides theoretical and practical foundations for understanding and characterizing physical and transport properties of soils/ near-surface earth materials, and quantifying hydrological processes and fluxes of mass and energy at multiple scales.

Learning objective

Students are able to
- characterize porous media at different scales
- parameterize structural, flow and transport properties of partially-saturated porous media
- quantify driving forces and resulting fluxes of water, solute, and heat in soils

Content

Week 1: Introduction, soil and vadose zone, units and dimensions, definitions and basic mass-volume relationships between the solid, liquid and gaseous phases; soil water content; soil texture; particle size distributions;

Week 2: Pore scale consideration, pore sizes, shapes and connectivity, coordination number, continuity and percolation, surface area, soil structure

Week 3: Capillarity – capillary rise, surface tension, Young-Laplace equation; Washburn equation; numerical lab

Week 4: Soil Water Potential - the energy state of soil water; total water potential and its components; properties of water (molecular, surface tension, and capillary rise); units and calculations and measurement of equilibrium soil water potential components

Week 5: Soil water characteristics - definitions and measurements; parametric models, fitting and interpretation, hysteresis; demo lab

Week 6: Saturated water flow in soils - laminar flow in tubes (Poiseuille's Law); Darcy's Law, conditions and states of flow; permeability and hydraulic conductivity, measurement and theoretical concepts (Kozeny-Carman)

Week 7: Unsaturated water flow in soils - unsaturated hydraulic conductivity models and applications; Richards equation, approximations of Richards equation for steady state; approximate solutions to infiltration (Green-Ampt, Philip); outlook on unstable and preferential flow

Week 8: Numerical solution of Richards equation – using Hydrus1D for simulation of unsaturated flow; choosing class project

Week 9: Energy balance and land atmosphere interactions - radiation and energy balance; evapotranspiration, definitions and estimation; evaporation stages and characteristic length; soil thermal properties; steady state heat flow; non-steady heat flow

Week 10: Root water uptake and transpiration

Week 11: Solute and gas transport in soils; transport mechanisms of solutes in porous media; breakthrough curves; convection-dispersion equation; solutions for pulse and step solute application; parameter estimation; salt balance.

Week 12: Summary of lectures; solution of old exam

Week 13: Written semester-end exam

Week 14: Short presentations of Hydrus class projects; discussion of written exam

Literature

Supplemental textbook (not mandatory) -Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics, by: D. Hillel

701-1281-00L

Self-Learning Course on Advanced Topics in Atmospheric and Climate Science (HS)

3 credits

Supervisors

Abstract

Learning objective

Content

Literature

Literature (including book chapters, scientific publications) will be provided by the responsible supervisor in coordination with the student.

Prerequisites / Notice

102-0287-00L

River Basin Erosion

3 credits

P. Molnar

Abstract

The course presents a view of the catchment processes of sediment production and transport that shape the landscape. Focus is on sediment fluxes from sources on hillslopes to the river network. Students learn about how a fluvial system functions, how to identify sediment sources and sinks, how to make predictions with numerical models, develop sediment budgets, and quantify geomorphic change.

Learning objective

The course has two fundamental aims: (1) The first aim is to provide environmental engineers with the physical process basis needed to understand fluvial system change, using the right language and terminology to describe landforms. We will cover the main geomorphic concepts of landscape change, e.g. thresholds, equilibrium, criticality, to describe change. Students will learn about the importance of the concepts of connectivity and timescales of change. (2) The second aim is to provide quantitative skills in making simple and more complex predictions of change and the data and models required. We will learn about typical landscape evolution models, and about hillslope erosion model concepts like RUSLE. We will learn how to identify sediment sources and sinks, and develop simple sediment budgets with the right data needed for this purpose. Finally we will learn about methods to describe the topology of river networks as conduits of sediment through the fluvial system.

Content

The course consists of four sections: (1) Introduction to fluvial forms and processes and geomorphic concepts of landscape change, including climatic and human activities acting on the system. Concepts like thresholds, equilibrium, self-organised criticality, etc. are presented. (2) Landscape evolution modelling as a tool for describing the shape of the land surface. Soil formation and sediment production at long timescales. (3) The processes of sediment production, upland sheet-rill-gully erosion, basin sediment yield, rainfall-triggered landsliding, sediment budgets, and the modelling of the individual processes involved. Here we combine model concepts with field observations and look at many examples. (4) Processes in the river, floodplain and riparian zone, including river network topology, channel geometry, aquatic habitat, role of riparian vegetation, including basics of fluvial system management. The main focus of the course is on the hydrology-sediment connections at the field and catchment scale.

Lecture notes

There is no script.

Literature

The course materials consist of a series of 13 lecture presentations and notes to each lecture. The lectures were developed from textbooks, professional papers, and ongoing research activities of the instructor. All material is on the course webpage.

Prerequisites / Notice

Prerequisites: Basic Hydrology and Watershed Modelling (or contact instructor).

651-2915-00L

Seminar in Hydrology

0 credits

P. Burlando, J. W. Kirchner, S. Löw, C. Schär, M. Schirmer, S. I. Seneviratne, M. Stähli, C. H. Stamm, University lecturers

Abstract

Learning objective

651-4023-00L

Groundwater

4 credits

X.‑Z. Kong, B. Marti

Abstract

The course provides an introduction into quantitative analysis of groundwater flow and solute transport. It is focussed on understanding, formulating, and solving groundwater flow and solute transport problems.

Learning objective

a) Students understand the basic concepts of groundwater flow and solute transport processes, and boundary conditions.

b) Students are able to formulate simple, practical groundwater flow and solute transport problems.

c) Students are able to understand and apply simple analytical and/or numerical solutions to fluid flow and solute transport problems.

Content

1. Introduction to groundwater problems. Concepts to quantify properties of aquifers.

2. Flow equation. The generalised Darcy law.

3. The water balance equation and basic concepts of poroelasticity.

4. Boundary conditions. Formulation of flow problems.

5. Analytical solutions to flow problems

6. Finitie difference scheme solution for simple flow problems.

7. Numerical solution using finitie difference scheme.

8. Concepts of transport modelling. Mass balance equation for contaminants.

9. Boundary conditons. Formulation of contaminant transport problems in groundwater.

10. Analytical solutions to transport problems.

11. Fractured and karst aquifers.

12. The unsaturated zone and capillary pressure.

13. Examples of applied hydrogeology from Switzerland and around the world. (Given by Dr. Beatrice Marti from Hydrosolutions Ltd.)

Lecture notes

Handouts of slides.

Literature

Bear J., Hydraulics of Groundwater, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1979

Domenico P.A., and F.W. Schwartz, Physical and Chemical Hydrogeology, J. Wilson & Sons, New York, 1990

Chiang und Kinzelbach, 3-D Groundwater Modeling with PMWIN. Springer, 2001.

Kruseman G.P., de Ridder N.A., Analysis and evaluation of pumping test data. Wageningen International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement, 1991.

de Marsily G., Quantitative Hydrogeology, Academic Press, 1986

860-0012-00L

Cooperation and Conflict Over International Water Resources

Number of participants limited to 40.
Priority for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc.

This is a research seminar at the Master level. PhD students are also welcome.

3 credits

B. Wehrli, T. Bernauer, E. Calamita, T. U. Siegfried

Abstract

This seminar focuses on the technical, economic, and political challenges of dealing with water allocation and pollution problems in large international river systems. It examines ways and means through which such challenges are addressed, and when and why international efforts in this respect succeed or fail.

Learning objective

Ability to (1) understand the causes and consequences of water scarcity and water pollution problems in large international river systems; (2) understand ways and means of addressing such water challenges; and (3) analyse when and why international efforts in this respect succeed or fail.

Content

Based on lectures and discussion of scientific papers and reports, students acquire basic knowledge on contentious issues in managing international water resources, on the determinants of cooperation and conflict over international water issues, and on ways and means of mitigating conflict and promoting cooperation. Students will then, in small teams coached by the instructors, carry out research on a case of their choice (i.e. an international river basin where riparian countries are trying to find solutions to water allocation and/or water quality problems associated with a large dam project). They will write a brief paper and present their findings towards the end of the semester.

Lecture notes

Slides and reading materials will be distributed electronically.

Literature

The UN World Water Development Reports provide a broad overview of the topic: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/water/wwap/

Prerequisites / Notice

The course is open to Master and PhD students from any area of ETH.

ISTP students who take this course should also register for the course 860-0012-01L - Cooperation and conflict over international water resources; In-depth case study.

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