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Studying carbon cycle variations in ancient sedimentary sequences
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:32
Abstract
Studying carbon cycle variations in ancient sedimentary sequences is a 1-week course starting with a one day field excursion in northern Switzerland to describe and sample sedimentary facies in the field, followed-up in the lab by learning and applying different analytical techniques to identify changes in environmental conditions and the carbon cycle.
Objective
The students will visit, describe and sample a (1 day),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 these types of data to interpret changes in the sedimentary history 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, marine stratigraphy, geological sampling, stable isotope and geochemical analyses, micropaleontology and biostratigraphy, carbon cycle.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Every two years
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 15
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical/laboratory course |
Studying carbon cycle variations in ancient sedimentary sequences
Does not take place this semester.
Block course with a field excursion taking place on:
Field date could be 31 May.
Course week of June 3-6th.
|
No time listed | 40 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Wahlfächer (Den Studierenden steht - in Absprache mit den zuständigen MSc-Kommission - das gesamte Lehrangebot der ETH Zürich und der Universität Zürich zur Auswahl offen.)
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