Advanced Geochemistry
Master course offered annually in winter semester
The module contains two courses: "Geochemical Evolution of the Earth’s Mantle and Crust" gives insight into the composition and evolution of the Earth’s mantle and crust, and "Marine Geochemistry" covers the key aspects of marine geochemistry and provides the student with basic oceanographic concepts.
Instructor: Prof. Wolfgang Siebel
Course format: 1+1 hr lecture, 1+1 hr practical session
Syllabus of "Geochemical Evolution of the Earth’s Mantle and Crust"
- The course provides essential insight into magmatic processes associated with plate boundary environments (mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones) and within plate regions (ocean islands and volcanic plateaus). The geochemical and isotopic composition of the different mantle reservoirs will be discussed and magmatic and tectonic processes along subduction zones will be explored. The lecture also focusses on fundamental processes that gave rise to the characteristic geochemical features of the continental crust and the different mantle reservoirs. These topics provide the basis for homework questions and student reports.
Syllabus of "Marine Geochemistry"
This course provides an introduction to the concepts, the methods and the applications of marine geochemistry. Teaching topics include basic oceanographic principles operating in the marine realm, ocean basin bathymetry, the chemical properties of seawater, trace elements and isotopes and their distribution in the water column, the marine carbon cycle, ocean circulation, hydrothermal processes and life on the sea floor, as well as formation and distribution of marine sediments. Marine mineral resources and environmental issues will also be covered.
Links
- Teaching material "Earth's Crust"
- Teaching material "Earth's Mantle"
- Teaching material "Marine Geochemistry"