GE 440 Global Biogeochemical Cycles (Spring: 3)
Prerequisite:
At least one college-level earth science course, or permission of instructor. Additional coursework in biology, chemistry, and/or the earth sciences is helpful.
Biogeochemical cycles are pathways through which biologically important
elements and their molecules are transformed and exchanged between the lithosphere,
atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. This course will focus on the reservoirs
of these elements and the physical, chemical, and biological processes that
exchange them at various scales and in different types of environments.
Stable isotope geochemistry is a key tool to trace the influence of microbial
metabolisms on biogeochemical cycles and climate in modern and ancient environments.
Historical aspects of biogeochemical evolution will be studied to stimulate
thinking on the likely consequences of ecological and climatic perturbations
caused by human activities.
Dept.
Last Updated: 21-FEB-13