Details of ES2101 (Autumn 2019)

Level: 2 Type: Theory Credits: 3.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
ES2101 Biogeochemical Cycles Sayantan Sarkar,
Sujata Ray

Preamble
This course introduces students to the biogeochemical cycles that transfer the elements between the great reservoirs of the Earth System and the surface environment in which every natural system has been impacted by humans. Here, students will exert their spirit of scientific enquiry to understand the causes, nature, behaviour and impact of anthropogenic pollution on our planet. Environmental problems in these systems will be solved using the concepts of materials and energy balance.

Syllabus
Overview of elemental and nutrient cycles in the major reservoirs in the Earth system, biogeochemical cycling in the atmosphere, oceans, lithosphere and biosphere, the carbon cycle (Box models, fluxes and residence times), the scale of fluctuations in geologic history, interactions between the physical climate and biogeochemical cycles, global changes due to human activity, evaluation of engineered systems according to greenhouse gas emissions, future projections for carbon emission and its implications for the Earths natural systems, the Cl and Br cycles: reservoirs, fluxes and lifetimes, anthropogenic perturbations to the Cl and Br cycles, stratospheric ozone depletion, the N cycle: global cycle of reactive N creation and distribution, role of microorganisms, anthropogenic impacts, the N cascade, the S cycle: major components and processes, anthropogenic perturbations, environmental implications of coupled N and S cycles acidic deposition, trace metal cycles (As and Hg): atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic processes, the link between environmental contamination and public health a case study of As poisoning.

References
References:
1. Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change, William H. Schlesinger
2. Earth System Science From Biogeochemical Cycles to Global Changes, Michael Jacobson, Robert Charlson, Henning Rodhe , Gordon Orians
3. Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, Gilbert M. Masters

Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 1 Not Allowed
2 IP 3 Not Allowed
3 IP 5 Not Allowed
4 MR 1 Not Allowed
5 MR 3 Not Allowed
6 MS 3 Core
7 RS 1 Not Allowed
8 RS 2 Not Allowed