1-Learning and development of knowledge on the topic "Biogeochemical Processes in the Ocean," highlighting the importance of the processes that control the distribution of inorganic and organic elements in the ocean, in terms of biological processes, chemical processes, and geological processes;
2-Understand the circulation (cycles) of carbon and other important elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and iron in the ocean (hydrosphere) and how these cycles are currently being disrupted by human activity;
3-Familiarization with the current theme of climate change and global warming and the interactions between the oceans and biological, chemical, and geological processes;
4- Acquisition of experience and knowledge allowing the students of this UC to reach a level of proficiency that will enable them to consult and interpret, assimilate, scientific articles in the area of Biogeochemical Processes in the Ocean, as well as the ability to seek new information related to the UC and to effectively communicate it in oral presentations among students or in the style of "oral communication" in scientific meetings.
1. Introduction to the concept of biogeochemical cycles and the directional transfer of energy through ecosystems, including marine ones. Introduction to the concept of biogeochemical cycles and the directional transfer of energy through ecosystems, including marine ones. The concept of organic matter as a constituent of all living organisms and its conservation, recycling through biogeochemical processes (cycles);
2. The biogeochemical processes and the functioning of marine ecosystems. Biogeochemical processes and the functioning of marine ecosystems. How marine ecosystems depend on the various biological and chemical processes that characterize biogeochemical cycles and their constituents. The nutrient cycles: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and iron;
3. The use of the elements hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, by living organisms and the various forms in which they are found in the marine environment. The circulation of minerals in the biosphere between biotic and abiotic components and from one organism to another;
4. The circulation of nutrients and primary production; the importance of carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation in the production of organic matter, at the base of the food chain. The circulation of nutrients and primary production; the importance of carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation in the production of organic matter, at the base of the food chain. Trophic relationships between producers and consumers and the transfer of organic matter in the complex marine food web. Biological processes that affect the oceanic carbon cycle;
5. Introduction to cyanobacteria as photosynthetic microorganisms (photoautotrophic). The role and importance of oxygenic phototrophic microorganisms in the early evolutionary history of Earth, by promoting the emergence of atmospheric oxygen, the oxygenation of the planet, and animal evolution. The evolutionary history of cyanobacteria and their fundamental role in the global carbon cycle;
6. The role of microalgae and cyanobacteria in the global biogeochemical carbon cycle in the biosphere and their influence on a large part of the Earth's climate;
7. The role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles in the ocean. How marine bacteria responsible for the remineralization process of elements such as Nitrogen (N), Carbon (C), Sulfur (S), Iron (Fe), Hydrogen (H), and Phosphorus (P) are recycled in marine environments;
8. The nitrogen cycle (N2). The role of marine microorganisms and their metabolic activities in the cyclical transformations of nitrogen, allowing its recycling in the environment. Importance of this cycle for maintaining the quality of life on our planet;
9. Understanding the role played by microorganisms in the main biogeochemical processes in the ocean; techniques for detection, isolation, and characterization in marine sediment samples. Understand the role played by microorganisms in the main biogeochemical processes in the ocean, techniques for detection, isolation, and characterization in marine sediment samples. Introduction to "omic" technologies such as metagenomics, for the functional characterization of microbial communities in marine environments and the identification of metabolic pathways relevant to the study of biogeochemical cycles.
The teaching of this course unit will be based on in-person classes assuming a conceptual and explanatory nature and exploratory activities of laboratory nature. The classes will reflect a combination of explanatory and participatory methodologies using dynamic visual presentations, which will include videos and online research, as well as dynamic interactions between teacher and student, complemented by moments of interpretation/discussion of responses during the classes. The most relevant information (scientific articles and book chapters) will be made available on the "e-learning Moodle" platform.
Laboratory activities will be carried out in group work (maximum of 3 students) and presented to the other colleagues to stimulate critical discussion. Small challenges (quiz games) will be introduced to help them deduce key concepts related to the theoretical content presented in each class, in a stimulating environment, promoting debates and critical thinking.
- Marine Biogeochemical Cycles. 2nd Edition - April 18, 2005, Author: Open Open University. Paperback ISBN: 9780750667937, eBook ISBN: 9780080940779
- Primary Productivity and Biogeochemical Cycles in the Sea. Paul G. Falkowski (editor), Avril D. Woodhead (Editor). Published June 26, 2013 by Springer. ISBN 9781489907646 (ISBN10: 1489907645)
- Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics , by: Jorge L Sarmiento(Author), Nicolas Gruber(Author). Publisher: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 9780691017075 Hardback Jun 2006
- York, A. Marine biogeochemical cycles in a changing world. Nature Reviews in Microbiology 16, 259 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2018.40
- Danovaro, R., Levin, L.A., Fanelli, G. et al. Microbes as marine habitat formers and ecosystem engineers. Nature Ecology & Evolution 8, 1407–1419 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02407-7
- Tim DeVries. The Ocean Carbon Cycle. Review Article. Annual Review of Environment and Resources
Volume 47, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-120920-111307
- Kaltham A. Ismail & Maryam R. Al-Shehhi. Applications of biogeochemical models in different marine environments: a review. Frontiers in Environmental Sciences., 28 August 2023. Section Biogeochemical Dynamics, Volume 11 – 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1198856
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