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| ZOOL0220-2 | Planctonology
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| Duration : | 30h Th |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | Jean‑Henri Hecq |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | Despte its reduced size, the plankton is a key-element of ocean ecosystem. Diversity, distribution and dynamics of plankton organisms require a multidisciplinary approach including taxonomy, marine chemistry, physical oceanography and climatology.
The course develops:
- Taxonomic tools for understanding the phyto and zooplankton taxonomy.
- Sampling technics and method of study of dynamics
- Originality and specificity of plankton organisms and morphological, physiological and behaviour adaptation to the pelagic habitat
- Quantitative approach of the plankton dynamics in terms of parametrisation of processes and dynamics of population.
- Some example of the role of plankton in the carbon cycle, climate change, formation of biogenic rocks, red tides, interaction with benthos and dynamics of fisheries. |
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| Course objective : | Aquire in depth the actual state of knowlege on the diversity, distribution and dynamics of plankton. Practical initiation to the experimental research and modelling in planktonology |
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| Prerequisites : | In depth knowlege in Pelagic Oceanography and in Marine Ecology. Basis in plant and animal taxonomy are a benefit. |
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| Workshops : | Practicaly, the theoretical informations is applied to a personal research, either personal research, or bibliography, or in laboratory (e.g. phytoplankton pigments analysis by HPLC), either during an oceanographic cruise (Mediterranean, Antarctic or North Sea) |
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| Organization : | One half day per week during second quadrimester |
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| Written notes : | Written cursus (in french), power point presentation, and a data base on the plankton diversity and technics |
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| Assessment : | Presentation of a 15 min talk on a plankton subject at the choice of the student. Oral and practical examination on the cursus. |
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| Contacts : | Jean-Henri Hecq
Oceanology
Institute of Chemistry. B6c-1/4
Tél: 043 663646
mail: jh.hecq@ulg.ac.be. |
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