Course: Biogeochemistry

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Course title Biogeochemistry
Course code KBE/117
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the summer semester.
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory, Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Meador Travis Blake, Ph.D.
  • Čapek Petr, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Šantrůčková Hana, prof. Ing. CSc.
Course content
1. Introduction to basic terminology and definitions. Earth formation and development of life. 2. Atmosphere: Structure and composition; Global atmospheric circulation; Energy balance of the Earth. 3. Oceans and Hydrosphere: Structure, Distribution, Circulation. 4. Carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems: Carbon dioxide dissolution, Primary production, Ecological stoichiometry. 5. Lithosphere: Origin of rocks and minerals, Erosion, Weathering, Soil development and classification. 6. Carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems: Gross and net primary production, Net ecosystem production, Plant litter and soil organic matter decomposition, Carbon sequestration. 7. Nutrient (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems: Nitrogen functions, Nitrogen reactivity, Plant-microbe symbiotic associations, Phosphorus mineralization and adsorption, Ecological stoichiometry. 8. Introduction to mathematical modelling: Ordinary differential equations, First-order decay rate, Modelling of carbon cycling in the soil, Models use and uncertainties. 9. Human impacts. 10. Last lectures of the class are dedicated to students' presentations of the current research issues.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Work with text (with textbook, with book), Individual tutoring
  • Class attendance - 28 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 20 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of the class is to make students familiar with so-called biogeochemical cycles. At the end of the class, students should understand the processes that drive biogeochemical cycles on local, continental or global scales, both in natural conditions and under human impact. Part of the class is dedicated to the introduction to mathematical modeling, which is frequently used in biogeochemical cycles research.
The main goal of the course is to teach students to combine knowledge from several disciplines including botany, geology, chemistry, physics or biochemistry into one comprehensive framework. At the end, students should understand how various components of the Earth work and how these are connected.
Prerequisites
This is an introductory course to biogeochemistry, which doesn't require students to pass any class before they enroll. This class requires basic "middle school (high school)" knowledge. During the class, this knowledge will be merged into one coherent concept.

Assessment methods and criteria
Essay, Combined exam, Self-reflection

Every student has to write an essay on the research paper selected by the teachers. The research results must be presented in front of the students.
Recommended literature
  • Aber J.D., Melillo J.M. 2001 terrestrial Ecosystems. Harcourt, New York, 553 pp..
  • B. Bolin, R. B. Cook (eds. ): The major biogeochemical cycles and their interactions, 1983, SCOPE 21, 532 pp. Wiley..
  • Butcher S. S., R. J. Charlson, G. H. Orians, G. V. Wolfe: Global biogeochemical cycles, 1992, Academic, 377 pp..
  • Chapin III F.S. 2002 Principles of terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. Springer, New York, 436 pp..
  • Schlesinger W.H. Biogeochemistry. Gulf Profes. Publ., 2005..
  • Schlesinger W.H. 1997 Biogeochemistry. Analysis of Global Change. Acad. Press., London., 588 pp..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biological Chemistry (1) Category: Chemistry courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer