VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

701-1317-00L 3 Credits MSC , DR D-USYS , D-ERDW , D-GESS
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Nicolas Gruber, Dr. Meike Vogt
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:16

Abstract

The human-induced emissions of carbon dioxide has led to atmospheric CO2 concentrations that Earth likely has no’t seen for the last 30 million years. This course aims to investigate and understand the impact of humans on Earth's biogeochemical cycles with a focus on the carbon cycle and its interaction with the physical climate system for the past, the present, and the future.

Objective

This course aims to investigate the nature of the interaction between the carbon cycles on land and in the ocean with climate and how this interaction has evolved over time and will change in the future. Students are expected to participate actively in the course, which includes the critical reading of the pertinent literature.

Content

Topics discussed include: The anthropogenic perturbation of the global carbon cycle and climate. Response of land and oceanic ecosystems to past and future global changes; Interactions between biogeochemical cycles on land and in the ocean; Biogeochemical processes controlling carbon dioxide and oxygen in the ocean and atmosphere on time-scales from a few years to a few hundred thousand years.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press.Additional handouts will be provided as needed. see website:http://www.up.ethz.ch/education/biogeochem_cycles

Literature

Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press, 526pp. Original literature.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC , DR
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 120 minutes
Aids
open book exam - all written material permitted
The exercises will be used as learning elements (Lernelemente). The successful completion of 5 out of 6 homeworks will be taken into account for the final grade as a bonus of 0.25.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate
  • Wed 10:15-13:00 (HG D 1.1)
  • 23.03 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 3.1)
  • 23.03 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 3.3)
  • 23.03 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 5.1)
  • 23.03 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 5.3)
  • 27.04 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 3.1)
  • 27.04 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 3.3)
  • 27.04 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 5.1)
  • 27.04 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 5.3)
  • 25.05 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 3.1)
  • 25.05 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 3.3)
  • 25.05 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 5.1)
  • 25.05 Date 12:15-13:00 (HG D 5.3)
3 h weekly

Offered In