2020-2021 / OCEA0082-1

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems and geological oceanography

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

Geological oceanography

Duration

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems : 20h Th, 5h Pr
Geological oceanography : 20h Th, 20h Pr, 1d FW

Number of credits

 Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) (MER - Erasmus mundus)6 crédits 
 Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) (Erasmus Mundus ECT+ : Environmental Contamination and Toxicology)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems : Alberto Borges
Geological oceanography : Nathalie Fagel

Coordinator

N...

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

In the oceans, chemical, biological and physical processes interact in a complex and dependant way. This course specifically aims to give the basis of aquatic chemistry with a particular emphasis on greenhouse gases.
Chapters of the lectures:
1.Foreword

2.Physico-chemical properties of water

3.Seawater composition

4.Salinity as a conservative tracer

5.Ions in seawater

6.Redox reactions - production/destruction of organic matter

7.Green-house gases (CO2, CH4, N2O)

8.Gas exchange accross the air-sea interface
 
Chapters 1-6 are covered in 6h (2 lectures), chapters 7-8 are covered in 14h (7 lectures)

Geological oceanography

Study of basic geochemical concepts requested for the interpretation of the geochemical signature of marine sediment records. Examples from literature and from personal proposals.
The cursus is divided in five parts:
- introduction; - diagenetic processes; - interstitial waters; - cycle of metallic elements; - paleoceanographical tracers

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

Introduction to cycles of organic and inorganic carbon, organic and inorganic nutrients, and greenhouse gases in various marine ecosystems.

Geological oceanography

Study of chemical processes leading to formation of sedimentary rocks. Analyses of physical and chemical modifications through early diagenesis. Influence of kinetics and bacterial activity.
For more information see the introduction page on eCampus. 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

Basics in chemistry.

Geological oceanography

Basic knowledge of mineral chemistry and thermodynamic.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

20 h of therory, lectures by 3h slots

Geological oceanography

Analyses and interpretation of geochemical signatures of marine sediments. Treatment and interpretation of geochemical datasets. Use of excel-like software. A personal computer is requested.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

From 19 October, in following the recommendations related to instatement of orange code, teaching will be given by distance learning. Each lecture will be made available in the form of a ppt with pre-recorded audio, and during the time slot initially allocated to the lectures, a question-&-answer session will be held on Lifesize.
20 h of theory by 3 h slots.
Lectures in English, slides in french.

Geological oceanography

Course will be given during the first semester. It will correspond to an hybrid course. The lectures will be recorded to be available at any time for the students. For the practical session, each activity will be accompanied by a step-by-step guid. Complementary information and resources will be distributed to the students as soon as all the reports will be sent to the assistant. All the questions must be posted on the dedicated forum on Ecampus. 
Theory: 5 lectures x 2h. Practise: 5 x 2h.
The course will be given in English.
All the material will be available on the eCampus platform. More information on the summary table given on the introduction page on eCampus. 

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

From 19 October, in following the recommendations related to instatement of orange code, teaching will be given by distance learning. Each lecture will be made available in the form of a ppt with pre-recorded audio (« Items online »), and during the time slot initially allocated to the lectures, a question-&-answer session will be held on Lifesize.

Geological oceanography

Here are some precisons about the final examination for the course.

  • The exam will be the same for all the students (i.e., MER, ECT+ and Geology)
  • The examination will be focused on the geochemical proxies presented by the different groups.
  • For each group, we ask you to send for friday January the 8th
  • A 1 page explanation of the selected proxy
  • The used references list
  • A slide presentation, like powerpoint, to explain the selected proxy, with recorded comments on each slides
The presentation must first include a definition of the proxy (what does it mean ? how is it use). Second an example of its application has to be presented. 
A few things to keep in mind :
              - A reasonable number of slides (around 10)
              - Timing around 10 minutes
              - Note the presentation has to be exported as video
              - The videos will be shared to all the students
  • The exam is scheduled on January 26.
It will consist in an oral exam.
It will be done by working group (about 20 minutes per group).
We will ask you questions concerning the presented proxies.

Recommended or required readings

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

Recommended but not mandatory reading :
http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/handle/2268/164932
http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/handle/2268/82202
http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/handle/2268/115962
http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/handle/2268/2588
Lectures available at bottom of page « Items online »

Geological oceanography

A French syllabus is available. Slides are in English.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

Exam in January 2021 : Essay (topic and format will be communicated soon)

Geological oceanography

Examination will include two parts.
Theory (70% of final quotation): a selection of scientific publications (acces to the reprints and document before the examination).
TP - Written report of TP (30%).
Update December 2020 : oral "on line" exam ; see your Calendar MyULiege- Celcat.

Work placement(s)

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

None

Organizational remarks

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

The schedule will be provided by Mariella Lunetta (secretary of BEE Dpt).
I do not answer to questions by e-mail, I only answer to questions during or after lectures.
For matters of adminstration or of organisation, contact Mariella Lunetta.

Geological oceanography

The lectures will take place on tuesday am from 9 to 13h (room R88 ) at the Department of Geology (B18) and/or online throught the blackboard collaborate platform. 

Contacts

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

Alberto Borges :
Alberto.borges@ulg.ac.be
04.336.31.87
---
Mariella Lunetta
Secrétariat du Département BEE
M.Lunetta@uliege.be
04.366.50.62
 

Geological oceanography

Nathalie Fagel Professor, Département de Géologie Labo. AGEs - Argiles, Géochimie et Environnements sédimentaires - B18, Allée du 6 Août, B-4000 Liège, Belgium Fax:04.366.2029, Tel: 04.366.2209, e-mail: nathalie.fagel@uliege.be www.ages.ulg.ac.be

Items online

Carbon, nutrient, greenhouse gases dynamics in marine ecosystems

Lecture 1
17/09/2021