Crisogono Vasconcelos: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2016

NameMr Crisogono Vasconcelos
E-mailcvasconc@retired.ethz.ch
DepartmentEarth Sciences
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
651-4044-00LGeomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Information 3 credits2GT. I. Eglinton, T. R. R. Bontognali, C. Vasconcelos
AbstractMicroorganisms have helped to shape the Earth over almost 4 billion years making it habitable for higher forms of life. Recent advances in our understanding of how microbial life impacts the Earth have led to a newly evolving field of geomicrobiology and associated biogeochemistry, which links the biosphere with the geosphere.
ObjectiveThe course aims to provide an introduction to geomicrobiology and to describe how microbial communities have influenced biogeochemical cycles and mineralogical processes through geologic time.

This lecture course is supplemented by an independent field-lab-course from August 29 to September 9. For details see lecture catalog ETHZ 651-4044-02L and ETHZ 651-4044-01L.
ContentThe lecture course covers the following topics: 1. Microbial properties and diversity, 2. Microbial metabolism that relates to geochemistry, 3. Cell surface reactivity, 4. Sediment biogeochemistry, 5. Biomineral formation in stromatolites, 6. Microbial weathering, 7. Biomarker geochemistry and 8. Microbial life in Earth history. The course will include laboratory practicals in geomicrobiology and geochemistry.
A detailed description of the course layout will become available on OLAT under https://www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/url/RepositoryEntry/14217969664?guest=true&lang=en
at the beginning of January.
Lecture notesPower point slides will be distributed during the course with recommended reading lists.
Access to the lecture notes requires that students sign up in the learning resources "Geomicrobiology_16" in OLAT (available in January) via the internet address given above.
LiteratureRecommended References are listed in the "Geomicrobiology_16" website on OLAT (https://www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/url/RepositoryEntry/14217969664?guest=true&lang=en) and research papers and reviews to specific topics are available in the File Exchange folders.
A number of handbooks will be on display in the library (shelf on the right hand side) for use in the library only.
Prerequisites / NoticeTiming: The course starts on February 22 and ends on May 30. Prerequisites: Recall and remember what you learned in introductory chemistry and biology and apply it to geochemistry and microbial biochemistry.

The students will make oral presentations on selected topics based on the specific laboratory experiments.

This course and the lecture course "651-4004-00L Organic Geochemistry and the Global Carbon Cycle" are recommended prerequisites for participating in the combined Field-Lab courses ("651-4044-02 P Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Field Course" and "651-4044-01 P Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Lab Practical"). Details under https://www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/url/RepositoryEntry/14374567936?guest=true&lang=en
651-4044-01LGeomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Lab Practical Information Restricted registration - show details
Limited number of participants 10

Prerequisites: Excursions "Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Field Course" (651-4044-02L). The attendance of "Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry" (651-4044-00L) or "Organic Geochemistry and the Global Carbon Cycle" (651-4004-00L) is recommended but not mandatory.
2 credits2PT. I. Eglinton, C. Vasconcelos
AbstractContents:
1. Analysis of organic molecules in extracts from soils of different ages in glacial flood fields, in altitudinal gradients and from different bedrocks, and from sediments and living biofilms in high altitude aquatic ecosystems, mineral springs and ice.
2. Analysis of matrix components of the ecosystems: dissolved compounds, minerals, clays, trace components etc.
ObjectiveThe laboratory module supplements the field trip section. 10 places are reserved for students who also signed up for the field course (651-4044-02L)
Contents:
1. Preparing field work based on research hypotheses.
2. Designing field sampling strategies, proper sampling collection and preservation.
3. Documenting environmental conditions and observations at the sampling sites.
4. Extracting organic molecules from environmental samples with different matrixes.
5. Working under clean conditions and handling samples without contaminating them.
ContentThis Lab Practical, together with the corresponding Field Trips form part of a continuing "Course Research" unit.
During the field section in the Eastern Alps, we will visit a number of sites that offer
- different bedrocks (dolomite, gneiss, shale, serpentinite, radiolarite, mine tailings) and will study the organics in the soils that formed on them.
- aquatic ecosystems (lakes, rivers, springs) at high altitudes. Organics from pioneering colonizer organisms in lakes formed during the recent retreat of glaciers.
- sediments recently deposited in lakes and flood planes as well as shales that date back to the mesozoic.
The Lab Practical follows immediately after the field work.
Lecture notesProcedures for sampling, extraction and analyses will be designed on a special preparation day during the field trips.
LiteratureField guides and details about the course logistics will become available to enrolled students on OLAT via Details under https://www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/url/RepositoryEntry/14374567936?guest=true&lang=en
Instructions will be sent in the course of the spring semester to participants who are enrolled for this practical.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe laboratory module (651-4044-01L) takes place from September 5 to September 9. It supplements the "Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Field Course" (651-4044-02L). Samples collected in the field will be analyzed in the labs of the Biogeosciences and Geomicrobiology Groups immediately after the field trips. Students who sign up for both, the field and the lab component, are given priority. There are 10 places available in the lab. The lab section requires participation on the field trips. It is possible, however, to participate in the field section only.
One of the lecture courses "651-4004-00L Organic Geochemistry and the Global Carbon Cycle" or "651-4044-00L Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry, under https://www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/url/RepositoryEntry/14217969664?guest=true&lang=en" (both offered during the spring semester) is a mandatory prerequisite for the lab section of the combined Field-Lab Course. They are not mandatory, but recommended for optimally profiting of the contents of the field section.