99517 - GLOBAL CARBON CYCLE

Learning outcomes

The course will provide the necessary elements for a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the main interdisciplinary processes that govern the biogeochemical cycle of carbon. In particular, the student will learn the main carbon flows through the components of the climate system (including the anthroposphere) together with the biogeochemical transformations related to these flows.

Course contents

Carbon: main physico chemical characteristics: CO₂ but not only):

Carbon on Earth: reservoirs and exchanges in and between the climate system components

Carbon in atmosphere. The greenhouse effect

Carbon in the ocean. The physico-chemical and the biological carbon pump. Ocean acidification.

Carbon and the cryosphere: how to generate an ice age.

Carbon in the biosphere.

Carbon in the geosphere: the “stable” geologic carbon cycle.

Carbon in the geosphere: the “unsstable” ice ages carbon cycle.

The carbon cycle today and tomorrow (the IPCC report carbon cycle assessment).

Readings/Bibliography

The lectures structures is built around:

David Archer:

The Global carbon cycle

Princeton University Press primers in climate.

Lectures notes and additional scientific references will be provided by the lecturer.

Teaching methods

Frontal lecturtes with graphic support.

Assessment methods

The assessment will be carried out trough an oral exam: It is expected that the student discusses 3-4 topics from the couse syllabus.The first topic will be chosen by the student.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides

Office hours

See the website of Marco Zavatarelli