Biogeochemical Cycles in the Earth System - an Overview
 

Goal of the module is an overview over the global Earth System, its major components (Atmosphere, ocean, land surfaces and cryosphere), their interactions through exchanges of energy, momentum and materials, and the major physical, chemical and biological processes controlling these exchanges. A special emphasis is given to the role of the global cycles of biogeochemical elements and their modifications in the context of global change.

 

Overview

 
CourseCourse leadersDateLocation
Overview: Global Biogeochemical CyclesSue Trumbore, Martin HeimannFebruary 20-24, 2012MPI for Biogeochemistry, Jena
Room B0.002 on Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
Lecture hall on Wed
 

Prerequisites

Please indicate in the registration form if you can bring a laptop to the course (for the practical part). It does not need to have special software, a browser will do. If you do not have a laptop, we can lend you one.

 

Outline

SlotTime
a.m. (I)09:30-10:30
a.m. (II)11:00-12:00
p.m. (I)ca. 14:00-15:30
(will be defined in the morning)
 
DaySlotTypeContentWho
 
Mon   Martin Heimann
 a.m. (I + II)LIntroduction - Overview of Earth System - Components and processes in the Earth System (Atmosphere, Ocean, Land surfaces, Hydrological cycle, Cryosphere) - Fundamental scientific questions - Energy balanceMH
 p.m. (I)L + DExercises with simple energy balance model - Feedback calculus - Bifurcations and chaosMH
 
Tue   Susan Trumbore
 a.m. (I+II)L+DHistory of climate and the atmospheric composition (geologic, ice ages, Holocene, historical, contemporary trends)ST
 p.m. (I)LSeminar by Michael Prather (mandatory for students!)ST
 
Wed   Martin Heimann/Susan Trumbore
 a.m. (I)LBiogeochemical cycles I: Cycles of carbon and oxygenMH
 a.m. (II)L + DSimple carbon cycle modelMH
 p.m. (I)L + DBiogeochemical cycles II: Simple coupled carbon cycle - climate modelST/MH
 
Thu   Susan Trumbore
 a.m. (I+II)LBiogeochemical cycles III (N, S, P)ST
 p.m. (I)L+DCoupled BGC-climate modelsST
 
Fri   Martin Heimann
 a.m. (I)LGlobal change I (Drivers, model simulations and selected impacts)MH
 a.m. (II)L + DComprehensive Earth System modelsMH
 p.m. (I)LGlobal change II (Uncertainties, open questions, socio-economic aspects)
Q/A
MH
 
 

Literature

  • Wallace and Hobbs, Atmospheric Science, Elsevier Academic Press, International Geophysics Series, v92, 2002, ISBN: 0-12-732950-1, 483pp.
  • Schlesinger: Biogeochemistry - An analysis of global change, Elsevier Academic Press, 1997, ISBN: 978-0-12-625155-5, 588pp.
  • Jacobson, Charlson, Rhode and Orians: Earth System Science, Elsevier Academic Press, International Geophysics Series vol. 72, 2000, ISBN: 978-0-12-379370-6, 527pp.
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