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Chemo- and Biostratigraphy in Northern Switzerland
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:53
Abstract
The Chemo- and Biostratigraphy in marine carbonates in northern Switzerland is a 1-week course in which the students carry out an independent investigation describing and sampling sedimentary facies in the field (Liesberg- Basel), followed-up in the lab by learning different analytical techniques. The final goal is the reconstruction of environmental conditions and changes in the carbon cycle.
Objective
The students will visit, describe and sample a Middle-Jurassic marine sedimentary section (Liesberg- Basel) (1 day), to follow-up working in the laboratory analysing the samples with different techniques (3 days). Students will learn to prepare and analyse samples for geochemical (organic and inorganic carbon), stable isotopes in bulk sediments, and microfossil (smear slides) analyses, and observation and identification of these microfossils under the microscope. Students will learn to use stable isotope stratigraphy and calcareous nannofossils biostratigraphy to develop a chronostratigraphic framework for that section, and to be able to interpret changes in the sedimentary history of the northern margin of Tethys during the Mid-Jurassic, and to understand and reconstruct changes in the carbon cycle. Students will be able to compare their results with other studies from literature to have a wider perspective of the climate evolution during that time-interval. The students will discuss and present the result of their investigation (1 day) and hand-in a final report.
Content
The following topics will be covered: marine carbonate sedimentation, facies analyses, Mesozoic stratigraphy, geological sampling, stable isotope and geochemical analyses, micropaleontology and biostratigraphy, carbon cycle.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 15
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical/laboratory course |
Chemo- and Biostratigraphy in Northern Switzerland
Block course with a field excursion taking place on:
3 June 2023 field excursion
6-9 June 2023 lab days
|
No time listed | 40 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Electives (Courses can be chosen from the complete offerings of the ETH Zurich and University of Zurich (according to prior agreement with the MSc Committee).)
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