Home/Vakken/Global biogeochemical cycles
GEO3-13457.5 ECTSQ3EnglishBachelor

Global biogeochemical cycles

FaculteitFaculty of Geosciences
NiveauBachelor
Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.
  1. Understand the physical, biological and chemical processes impacting the composition of natural waters (rain, groundwater, rivers, lakes, estuaries and the ocean).
  2. Understand the natural geochemical cycles (weathering, dissolution, precipitation of minerals, sorption) and the role of organisms in these cycles.
  3. Knowledge on the biogeochemistry of the atmosphere, soils, inland waters and marine waters.
  4. Evaluate how humans have perturbed biogeochemical cycles and the resulting consequences for the System Earth (and climate).

Content

Biogeochemical processes and cycles play a critical role in the functioning of the earth as a system. The aim of this course is to provide a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the biogeochemistry of the global earth surface environment. Biogeochemical processes are studied along the hydrological cycle, i.e. from atmosphere and rain, via soil and groundwater to streams, river, lakes and reservoir, and finally via estuaries to the sea. Biogeochemical cycles are governed by the interactions between geochemical (weathering, mineral precipitation and dissolution) and biological processes (primary and secondary production, respiration and nutrient uptake and release). Many global biogeochemical cycles are perturbed by anthropogenic activities, specifically the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles (eutrophication/hypoxia, deoxygenation). A focus will be given to how these cycles, in particular, are impacted by climate change.

Reviews0 reviews

Nog geen reviews voor dit vak. Wees de eerste!

Heb jij dit vak gevolgd?

Deel je ervaring met toekomstige studenten. Inloggen met je Universiteit Utrecht mailadres duurt één minuut.

Schrijf een review