Biogeochemistry

Code:

AMB244

Acronym:

AMB244

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Environmental Sciences

Instance: 2013/2014 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Environmental Sciences and Technology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:CTA	52	Plano de estudos de 2008 até 2015/16	2	-	7,5	70	202,5

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Basic knowledge related to biogeochemistry concepts are provided to students in order to understanding the processes involved during transport and fixation of macronutrients across the Earth reservatories.

Learning outcomes and competences

The main aim is to allow the scientific understanding of the biogeochemical processes, taking into account the dynamic of the macronutrients and their compounds during the evolution of the biogeochemical cycles. A strong contribute is given for trainning professionals with competence and capacity to implement new environmental technology and economically acceptable solutions.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Module I (Chemistry): Water: quality, quantity and chemistry. Acid – base reactions, complexation and redox interactions of phases (gaseous and liquid-liquid-solid): types, concepts, importance and consequences. Trace elements. Carbon dioxide and its implications. Water pollution and its implications. Importance in microbial aquatic biogeochemistry and its importance in redox phenomena.

 

Module II (Geology): Biogeochemical Cycles - The carbon, the Nitrogen, the Phosphorus, the Sulfur and the Oxygen cycles - past and present. - The biogeochemical cycle of metals and metalloids: Hg and As

Mandatory literature

Schlesinger, W.H.; Biogeochemistry, Elsevier, 2005. ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0080446424
Stanley E. Manahan; Environmental Chemistry, CRC, 2005. ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0854046799

Complementary Bibliography

Gary W. vanLoon, Stephen J. Duffy; Environmental Chemistry: A Global Perspective, Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0199274994
Colin Baird, Michael Cann; Environmental Chemistry, W. H. Freeman, 2004. ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0716748779

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course has a theoretical component where students attend presentations on key topics covered in the course. Since it is a discipline with an essentially formative, topics are discussed with the aid of examples in the field of biogeochemistry that allow the consolidation of knowledge and its integration into large biogeochemical cycles. In theoretical and practical component, students are encouraged to learn to correctly interpret the questions and plan responses to problems. The problems are intended to be solved individually or in small groups.

The practical component of Module 1 is entirely laboratorial. Students work in groups and carry out various practical works. Practical assignments are appropriate to the theoretical component of the course, so another opportunity to apply knowledge to new situations.

In addition to the practical work, students prepare a synthesis work on a topic chosen from a list previously available. In this component, are also trained skills related to collection, processing and presentation of bibliographic information and drafting work / thesis, using the resources available for UP, namely "ISI Web of Knowledge," the resource "Virtual Library of UP", the "EndNote" and Reference writing "Portuguese Standard (NP405)".

The support materials used in this course will be made available to students in the Moodle platform of the University.

Students are advised to consolidate the topics presented in theoretical lectures, on an ongoing basis throughout the semester, either by reading the recommended literature, either by preparing questions / problems or practical work, that will discuss and solve in the theoretical-practice lessons or during the preparation of the practical work.

Theoretical-Practice lessons: Exercises will be conducted for the application of material taught in the lectures. Acid-base calculations applied to natural aquatic systems, Oxidation-Reduction, pE-pH diagrams, complexation and speciation calculations. Modeling Biogeochemical Cycles - Models of boxes (box models) - Systems with a reservoir: conservative and reactive species; elemental and isotopic ratios. - Systems with several reservoirs and various chemical species. The leaves of problems will also be available on the platform of discipline.

Practical classes: Module 1: Presentation / Disclosure to the Student of few useful tools to prepare Papers and Thesis: Access from outside by VPN (Virtual Private Network) ISI Web of Knowledge - How to search scientific information. Virtual Library @ UP - Presentation of available resources, including databases of e-Books and Journals. EndNote - Presentation of the potential of the program for the management and maintenance of databases of scientific articles, Integration with Word and management of references - How to write Bibliographical references: Presentation of the Portuguese Standard 405 (NP405).

Practical works: sampling of water, soil and plants. Determination of pH, pE, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, Alkalinity and hardness in aqueous solutions. Study of Nitrate and Zinc translocation in plants. Chemical analysis of toxic metals in soil by atomic absorption spectrometry. Interpretation of data.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese
Estudo autónomo
Frequência das aulas
Trabalho laboratorial
Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Must be present in the theoretical-practical lessons and practices.

The student may not miss more than one quarter of the expected number of theoretical-practical classes (excluding students in special situation that is legally exempt from fulfilling the attendance).

The distributed assessment will consist of a test, T1, not obligatory, to be held during the semester (after finishing classes for Module 1), focusing only on the subjects taught in this module.

Examination of the regular season will consist of two parts E1 and E2. Students who obtain grade ≥ 7.0 (scale 0-20) in T1 shall be exempt from part E1 of the final exam, but should always perform E2.

Students who took the test T1 can only re-take the part E1 in the resource exam.

Final Exam score (NEF) = 0.6 x (T1 or E1) + 0.4 x (E2)

Calculation formula of final grade

NEF - Final Exame Note: 70 %

NP - Practical note: 30 %

Final note: NEF x 0,70 + NP x 0,30

This criterion applies to all exam periods.

In Module I, the Practice Note (NP) is calculated based on the assessment of the performance in practical work and respective reports (with a weight of 60%) and a written work on a topic assigned for this purpose, which will weight 40% in the practical note.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with Student Worker statute that does not attend practical classes must present a monograph on a topic that will be defined. In these cases, the mark will be equal to the practical note obtained in this monograph work.

Classification improvement

Improvement of Final Grade / Distributed Improvement of final grade: Completion of examination. Final Note: Based on the criterion of evaluation of the academic year in which the student has passed the course.