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Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:14:48
Abstract
The human induced mobilization of organic carbon stored in fossil fuels and its conversion to carbon dioxide has led to atmospheric CO2 concentrations that Earth likely hasn’t seen for nearly 30 million years. This course aims to investigate the impact of humans on biogeochemical cycles on Earth with a focus on the carbon cycle and its interaction with the physical climate system.
Objective
This course aims to investigate the nature of the interaction between biogeochemical 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 and class presentations.
Content
Topics discussed include: The co-evolution of biogeochemical cycles on Earth with climate; Biogeochemical processes controlling carbon dioxide and oxygen in the oceans and atmosphere over time-scales from a few millions years to a few years; 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.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press. Additional handouts will be provided as needed.
Literature
Broecker, W. S. and T. H. Peng (1999), Greenhouse Puzzles, 2nd edition, Eldigio Press, Palisades, NY, 251pp. Sarmiento & Gruber (2006), Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics, Princeton University Press, 526pp. MacKenzie, F. T. (1999), Global biogeochemical cycles and the physical climate system, Global Change Instruction Program, UCAR, Boulder, CO, 69pp. W. H. Schlesinger (1997), Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change, Academic Press. Original literature.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 120 minutes
- Aids
- Alle schriftlichen Hilfsmittel sind erlaubt.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate |
|
3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (The students are free to choose individually from the entire course offer of ETH Zürich and the universities of Zürich and Bern.)
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