Course detail
Biogeochemical interfaces
FCH-MA_ENG13Acad. year: 2021/2022
Colloidal and interface systems, weak interactions: principles and relevance in natural systems, water: properties, function of water in biogeochemical systems, biopolymers: production, properties and function, biogeochemical interfaces: soil organic matter, minerals and organisms, soil pore, sediments, biofilms, carbon dynamics and stabilization mechanisms in soils, process in aquatic systems, dissolved organic matter: properties, function and current models, natural and engineered particles, physicochemical environmental processes and interfaces: sorption, pollutant mobilization, colloid-facilitated pollutant transport, wetting, capillarity and environmental processes, interactions between biology and chemistry: interactions in natural systems, swelling, diffusion, precipitation, abiogenesis: current theories and concepts, implications.
Supervisor
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Understanding the central role of interfaces for environmental processes
Understanding the intense interactions between physics, chemistry and biology
Analysis of interfacial processes
Geochemical cycles of C in soil
Principles of abiogenesis
Prerequisites
basics of general, organic and physical chemistry
Co-requisites
Not applicable.
Recommended optional programme components
Not applicable.
Recommended or required reading
Butt, H.-J., Graf, K., Kappl, M. (2006): Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. (EN)
Israelachvili, J.N. (2011): Intermolecular and surface forces, Elsevier, Amsterdam (EN)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures 2h/week, the e-learning system (LMS Moodle) is available to students.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
Oral examination, answer to minimum 50% of questions is required.
Language of instruction
English
Work placements
Not applicable.
Course curriculum
1) Introduction, colloidal and interface systems
2) Weak interactions: principles and relevance in natural systems
3) Water: properties, anomalies,
4) Function of water in biogeochemical systems, hydration
5) Biopolymers: production, properties and function
6) Biogeochemical interfaces: soil organic matter, minerals and organisms,
7) Soil pore, sediments, biofilms
8) Carbon dynamics and stabilization mechanisms in soils
9) Process in aquatic systems
10) Dissolved organic matter: properties, function and current models, natural and engineered particles
11) Physicochemical environmental processes and interfaces: sorption, pollutant mobilization, colloid-facilitated pollutant transport, wetting, capillarity and environmental processes
12) Interactions between biology and chemistry: interactions in natural systems, swelling, diffusion, precipitation
13) Abiogenesis: current theories and concepts, implications.
Aims
The students understand the central role of interfaces for environmental processes such as sorption and transport of environmental contaminants, bioavailability and toxicity. They understand the intense interactions between physics, chemistry and biology. The students gain experience in the analysis of interfacial processes and are competent for independent interdisciplinary process-oriented experiments.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
none
Classification of course in study plans
- Programme NPAP_ENVI Master's, 2. year of study, winter semester, 4 credits, compulsory-optional
Type of course unit
Guided consultation in combined form of studies
26 hours, obligation not entered
Teacher / Lecturer