1210 Eller O&M Building

Prerequisites: either one of CHEM 102, GEOS 105, GEOG 203,

ATMO 201, or instructor approval

Instructor: Gunnar Schade

Office: 1010B Eller O&M Building

E-mail

Phone: (979) 845-0633

Office hours: Mon., Wed. 11:00 – 12:00 a.m., or by appointment.

Short Class Description:
This class will explore the origins and development of Earth and its Atmosphere, study the important Atmospheric (Trace) Gases in Global Biogeochemical Cycling, and illustrate how this cycling has been disturbed by anthropogenic activities. We will survey the biophysical and physico-chemical mechanisms that lead to (trace) gas exchanges between the lithosphere/biosphere and the atmosphere, but also some anthropogenic processes. The global cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur will be discussed to different detail. There will be 1-2 field excursions.

Course Outline (subject to change based on student interests):

Week Topic

1 Origin of Elements

2 Origin of Earth, early Atmosphere, Part I

3 Origin of Life and the rise of Oxygen in the Atmosphere, Part II

4 Biogeochemical Cycles - Definitions, The Global Oxygen Cycle

5 The Atmosphere - Reservoir and Transport Medium, The Global Water Cycle

6 Terrestrial ecosystems, Processes and Reactions, Part I

7 Terrestrial ecosystems, Processes and Reactions, Part II

8 Soil processes - Basics

9 Soil processes - Nutrient Cycling, Nitrification vs. Denitrification

10 The Global Nitrogen Cycle and N₂O

11 Biomass Burning as a source of trace gases to the atmosphere

12 The Global Sulfur Cycle

13 Atmospheric Methane

14 The Global Carbon Cycle, Basics

15 The Global Carbon Cycle, Details

Required textbook:

Biogeochemistry, An Analysis of Global Change by William H. Schlesinger

other book sources:

Earth System Science, From Biogeochemical Cycles to Global Changes,

by Michael Jacobson, Robert J. Charlson, Henning Rodhe, and Gordon H. Orians Chemistry of the Natural Atmosphere by Peter Warneck

Possible topics for term papers:
- the global importance and the budget of atmospheric carbon monoxide
- the global budget of atmospheric chlorine
- measurement techniques for trace gas fluxes
- the catalyst car N₂O source
- sources, sinks, and atmospheric chemistry of methyl chloride and methyl bromide
- isoprene emissions from the biosphere
- anthropogenic sulfur dioxide emissions
- … choose your own!

Grading:

Homework assignments: 40%; there will be 6 (undergraduate students) respectively 10 (graduate students) reading assignments/problem sets

Quizzes: 20%; three in first half of semester

Term paper: 40%, after agreeing with you on a topic (latest by week 8), you will have until the end of the semester to hand in your work, deadline TBA; each graduate student also will give a 10-15 min presentation on the topic of their paper, time TBA

Grading Scale: 100-90: A; 89-75: B; 74-60: C; 60-50: D; less than 50: F

Aggie Code of Honor:

The Aggie Code of Honor states that lying, cheating, or stealing is not tolerated (http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor). Anyone who violates the rules on academic honesty will receive an "F" for the course and additional sanctions as described in the University Regulations. Plagiarism, usually defined as passing off as one’s own the ideas, words, writings, etc. that belong to another, is a common form of Aggie Honor Code violation. In accordance with its definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules under the section “Scholastic Dishonesty”.

ADA Statement:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, the legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Cain Hall or call 845-1637.