Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry is probably the broadest of the geological subjects and deals with the interactions of the biosphere with the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere today and in the geological past.
In this course we will approach the subject by highlighting how life on Earth is constrained by Earth’s energy resources and how transport and exchange between Earth’s major reservoirs is affected by biological processes. We will deal with the redox chemistry of biologically active substances, mass transport phenomena and their quantitative treatment and the flows of carbon and energy within and between cells and in the Earth's system.
The course will make use of the application of isotopes for quantifying and tracing biogeochemical processes and introduces the quantitative treatment of geochemical data using equilibrium and reaction-transport modelling. After completing the course, you should be able to explain how the development of life may have affected the solid Earth, the atmospheric chemical composition, and the chemistry of the oceans. You should be familiar with the use of stable isotopes in biogeochemistry, and apply mathematical models to quantify biogeochemical processes in the Earth's system.
Further, you should have basic understanding of fundamental biochemical processes controlling element cycles such as photosynthetic carbon fixation, organic decomposition, chemolithotrophic processes, and account for energetic and kinetic regulation of biogeochemical processes. The course is constructed around lectures, exercises, literature studies, home assignments, and independent projects that are presented in writing and in a seminar.
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Course structure
Teaching format
At the end of the course, the student is expected to be able to:
a) Use physical and chemical parameters to calculate and explain how organisms utilize different sources of energy for their proliferation, how they gain access to this, and where this energy comes from.
b) Describe different types of metabolic and biosynthetic pathways that are used by various types of organisms, and put this in an environmental perspective.
c) Predict and explain which biogeochemical processes would dominate in a given environment.
d) Construct, use and comment on basic mathematical models that describe biogeochemical processes and that can be used to quantify these.
e) Formulate and predict how isotopic fractionation affects the isotopic composition of sources and products, and how isotope analysis is used in biogeochemical research.
f) Discuss the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of various ways and methods to investigate (past) life, environments and related biogeochemical processes.
g) Present in-depth knowledge, based on course content and the scientific literaure, about a selected topic via a presentation, by answering questions, and in writing
h) Comment constructively on the reports of fellow studentsAssessment
is based on four parts:
1. First week's quiz (25%)
2. Second weeks' quiz (25%)
3. Four theme summaries including comments of four peer reports
4. Final examination (25%)The course is examined through a written exam placed at the end of the course. Grading takes place according to a seven-point grading scale:
A = Excellent
B = Very good
C = Good
D = Satisfactory
E = Sufficient
Eg = Insufficient
F = Totally insufficientFor passing, a minimum grade of E is required.
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Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Literature material will be handed out during the course.
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Course reports
Course evaluations allow the possibility to affect and take responsibility for your own learning and gives important information for our work with pedagogical development.
It's important that all students complete the course evaluations after each course, it gives the Department the opportunity to improve the courses' quality.
The course evaluation is composed of a number of questions and specific questions for each course. If you, as a student, want to contribute with more course specific questions you may send them to studies@geo.su.se.
If you haven't received the course evaluation for your finished course, or if you have other questions regarding course evaluations at IGV please contact studies@geo.su.se.
Course evaluation = student's review of the course
Course report = course leader's reflections about the review -
Contact
Elisabeth DäckerAdministrativ studierektor
- Visiting address
- S 316
- Svante Arrheniusväg 8 C, Geohuset
Volker BrüchertAssociate professor of Biogeochemistry
- Visiting address
- R 307
- Svante Arrheniusväg 8 C, Geohuset
Christophe DuprazAssociate professor of Geomicrobiology
- Visiting address
- R 323
- Svante Arrheniusväg 8 C, Geohuset
