Derek Vance: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2016

Award: The Golden Owl
Name Prof. Dr. Derek Vance
FieldGeochemistry
Address
Inst. für Geochemie und Petrologie
ETH Zürich, NW D 81.4
Clausiusstrasse 25
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 68 81
Fax+41 44 632 11 79
E-mailderek.vance@erdw.ethz.ch
URLhttp://www.erdw.ethz.ch/en/people/profile.html?persid=85257
DepartmentEarth Sciences
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
651-0254-00LSeminar Geochemistry and Petrology0 credits2SM. W. Schmidt, O. Bachmann, C. A. Heinrich, M. Schönbächler, D. Vance
AbstractSeminar series with external and occasional internal speakers addressing current research topics. Changing programs announced via D-ERDW homepage (Veranstaltungskalender)
ObjectivePresentations on isotope geochemistry, cosmochemistry, fluid processes, economic geology, petrology, mineralogy and experimental studies. Mostly international speakers provide students, department members and interested guests with insight into current research topics in these fields.
ContentWöchentliches Seminar mit Fachvorträgen eingeladener oder interner Wissenschafter, vornehmlich zu Themen der Geochemie, Isotogengeologie, Hydrothermalgeochemie, Lagerstättenbildung, Petrologie, Mineralogie und experimentelle Studien.
651-3400-00LGeochemistry3 credits2VM. Schönbächler, D. Vance
AbstractIntroduction to geochemistry and its application to the study of the origin and evolution of the Earth and planets.
ObjectiveGain an overview of geochemical methods used in various fields of Earth Sciences and how they can be applied to study geological processes in the Earth’s mantle, crust, oceans and atmosphere.
ContentThis course is an introduction into geochemistry with a special focus on the basic concepts used in this rapidly evolving field. The course deals with the geochemist's toolbox: the basic chemical and nuclear properties of elements from the periodic table and how these elements can be used to ask fundamental questions in Earth Sciences. The important concepts used in solid-solution-gas equilibria are introduced. The concepts of chemical reservoirs and geochemical cycles are discussed with examples from the carbon cycle in the Earth. The course also addresses geological applications in low- and high-temperature geochemistry, including the formation of continents, the differentiation of the Earth, the geochemistry of ocean and continental waters.
Lecture notesAvailable
LiteratureH. Y. McSween et al.: Geochemistry - Pathways and Processes,
2nd ed. Columbia Univ. Press (2003)

William White: Geochemistry, Wiley-Blackwell Chichester (2013)
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisite: chemical thermodynamics, basic inorganic chemistry and physics.
651-4044-02LGeomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Field Course Information Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 25.

Lectures from "Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry" and "Organic Geochemistry and Biogeochemical Cycles" are recommended but not mandatory for participation in the field course.
2 credits4PT. I. Eglinton, D. Vance
Abstract1. Microbial roles in dissolving and forming minerals
2. Interactions between geochemical, hydrologic and atmospheric determinants in alpine environments
3. Carbon sequestration in glacial retreat areas, soil formation in different bedrock areas, geochemical nutrient scavenging in nutrient-poor high mountain ecosystems
4. Physiological adaptation to extreme conditions
ObjectiveIllustrating basic geological, chemical and geo-microbiological topics under natural conditions and relating them to past, present and future global environmental conditions.
Each course participant focuses on a scientific question related to one of the course topics, searches for details in the literature and presents a short summary of his / her course research.

Didactic Approach: Preparation lectures, investigation of field sites, sampling and sample preservation and follow-up analyses for the lab module (651-4044-01L), studying papers, exercises on concept formulation, ecosystem modeling, presentation of field results.
The preparation for the fieldwork is designed as a partial distance-learning course via the internet. Lectures along with other course material can be viewed before the field course. Students will need to complete a variety of assignments and participate at discussion forums on OLAT before the field course.
ContentThe field course (651-4044-02L) will take place from August 29 to September 3. It will be followed by a laboratory module from September 5 to September 9 (independent sign-up under 651-4044-01L).
Sites visited depends on the weather, accessibility of the sites in case of early snow and the time. Selection of topics (not all sites listed will be visited every year):
1. Biogeochemical processes in rock weathering and the formation of minerals: Gonzen, former iron mine; Alvaneu, sulfur springs. Chemical and microbially mediated transformation of carbonates and gypsum: Albula valley region.
2. Geomicrobiology and hydrogeochemistry in thermal spring (Tamina gorge, Pfäffers) and cold water mineral springs of the Lower Engadin Window: Highly mineralized spring water emerging from low grade metamorphic rocks (Bündner shist) by ion exchange processes and release of rock interstitial fluids.
3. Geochemical nutrient sequestration in high mountain lakes and in snow and ice: Joeri lake area (Silvretta gneiss).
4. Coupled processes in biogeochemical iron, manganese and phosphorus cycling: Jöri lake XIII.
5. Primary processes in soil and peat formation (inorganic to organic transition, carbon sequestration) and colonization: Glacial retreat flood plains, early vegetation on delta and moraine soils.
6. Life styles under extreme conditions: Microorganisms and small invertebrates in ice (Cryoconite holes), snow and highly mineralized spring water.
7. Formation and weathering of serpentinite (Totalp) and effects on soil formation and on vegetation.
8. Economic aspects of geohydrology: mineral water market and wellness tourism.
Lecture notesThe new field guides and details about the course logistics will become available on OLAT in January via Details under https://www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/url/RepositoryEntry/14374567936?guest=true&lang=en
Instructions will be sent during the spring semester to participants who are enrolled for this course in "MyStudies".
LiteratureLecture slides and literature references are available on the corresponding OLAT site: Details under https://www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/url/RepositoryEntry/14374567936?guest=true&lang=en
Prerequisites / NoticeSites and course contents can vary from year to year depending on interest, accessibility and weather conditions.
Field-work can last up to 8 hours daily and will take place at altitudes up to 3000m. This requires endurance and a certain physical fitness. Participants need to be prepared.
Target Groups: Field course and lab module for the upper level Bachelor curriculum and for Master students.

This field course is coupled to the lab practical "651-4044-01 P Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Lab Practical", when samples collected during the field work will be analyzed. Students who sign up for both, the field and the lab component, have priority. It is possible, however, to participate at the field section only.
The lecture courses "651-4004-00L Organic Geochemistry and the Global Carbon Cycle" and "651-4044-00L Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry" are good preparations for the combined Field-Lab Course. Taking one of them is a mandatory prerequisite for participation in the Lab-module, not so, however, but recommended for optimally profiting from the field course.
651-4226-00LGeochemical and Isotopic Tracers of the Earth System3 credits2VD. Vance
AbstractThis unit discusses the geochemical approaches used to understand the dynamics of the surface Earth, now and in the past. Emphasis is placed on gaining a basic understanding of how the tracers work, e.g. on the modern Earth. Case studies will be used to appreciate what we can learn about the past, in particular the major changes that the surface Earth system has undergone over Earth history.
ObjectiveThis unit is designed with the particular aim of providing a firm grounding in the geochemical methods used to observe and trace the Earth System, now and in the past. The approach in lectures will be the pursuit of a sound understanding of the controlling physical and chemical factors of each method, to encourage students to think about their application and interpretation from first principles. Exercises will provide an opportunity to analyse real data, to understand their meaning, and to quantitatively interpret them in the context of simple box models.
ContentMost of the important geochemical and isotopic methods used to study the surface Earth will be covered, including: tracing the hydrological cycle using stable isotopes , geochemical and isotopic tracing of the carbon cycle, the chemistry of aerosols in the atmosphere, using boron isotopes to understand the oceanic carbonate system, using radiogenic isotopes as surface Earth tracers (including U-series, Sr-Nd-Pb etc), the silica cycle at the surface Earth (including silicon isotopes), trace metals and their isotopes (focusing on surface Earth redox).

Real data will be woven through all of these but case studies using geochemical data will come from e.g. the
Quaternary (ice cores, ocean sediments and speleothems), the history of Cenozoic CO2 , Mesozoic OAEs, the early oxygenation of the Earth.
Lecture notesSlides of lectures will be available.