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 Data might be outdated or incorrect.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

701-0401-00L 3 Credits BSC D-USYS , D-CHAB

You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Hydrosphere

Hydrosphäre

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Rolf Kipfer, Prof. Dr. Martin Herbert Schroth

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:37:30

Abstract

The course aims to describe the relevant processes that control the terrestrial water cycle. Energy and mass exchange, mixing and transport processes are described and the coupling of the hydrosphere with the atmosphere and the solid Earth are discussed.

Objective

Qualitative and quantitative understanding on how physical (and geochemical) processes control the natural dynamics in groundwater, lakes ans oceans and constrain the exchange of mass and energy.

Content

Topics of the course. Physical properties of water (i.e. density and equation of state) - global water resources Exchange at boundaries - energy (thermal & kinetic), gas exchange Mixing and transport processes in open waters - vertical stratification, large scale transport - turbulence and mixing - mixing and exchange processes in rivers Groundwater and its dynamics - ground water as part of the terrestrial water cycle - ground water hydraulics, Darcy's law - aquifers and their properties - hydrochemistry and tracer - ground water use Case studies - 1. Water as resource, 2. Water and climate

Resources

Lecture Notes

In addition to the suggested literature handouts are distributed.

Literature

Suggested literature. a) Park, Ch., 2001, The Environment, Routledge, 2001 b) Fitts, C.R., 2013. Groundwater Science. 2nd ed., Academic Press, Amsterdam.

General Information

Language: German
Levels: BSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 120 minutes
Aids: Wörterbuch für fremdsprachige Studierende. Weiteres Hilfsmittel: Geodreieck bzw. Lineal

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Hydrosphäre	Thu 08:15-10:00 (HG E 5)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Environmental Sciences Bachelor
- Basic Courses II
  - Examination Blocks
    - Examination Block 3
Interdisciplinary Sciences Bachelor
- Physical-Chemical Direction
  - 4. Semester (Physical-Chemical Direction)
    - Electives (The Bachelor's programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences allows students to choose from any subject taught at a Bachelor's level at ETH Zurich. In consultation with the Director of Studies of Interdisciplinary Sciences, every student must establish his/her own individual study programme at the beginning of the 2nd year. See the Programme Regulations 2018 for further details.)
- Biochemical-Physical Direction
  - 4. Semester (Biochemical-Physical Direction)
    - Electives (The Bachelor's programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences allows students to choose from any subject taught at a Bachelor's level at ETH Zurich. In consultation with the Director of Studies of Interdisciplinary Sciences, every student must establish his/her own individual study programme at the beginning of the 2nd year. See the Programme Regulations 2018 for further details.)