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57405-01 - Lecture: Analytical chemistry of the atmosphere – quantifying climate change (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers |
Nicolas Bukowiecki (nicolas.bukowiecki@unibas.ch)
Daniel Häussinger (daniel.haeussinger@unibas.ch, Assessor) Markus Kalberer (markus.kalberer@unibas.ch) Basilius Sauter (basilius.sauter@unibas.ch) |
| Content | Outline: introduction to the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere the role of oceans, sea levels, soils and the cryosphere natural (CO2, CH4, N2O, H2O) and synthetic greenhouse gases (GHG) drivers of climate change: anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic emissions orbit, solar and anthropogenic contributions to radiative forcing spectroscopic methods to determine past and present concentrations of GHG: direct determination, glacier-ice and geological archives CO2 concentration from 500 Ma to the present mass spectrometry and radio-chemical methods paleo-biological methods NMR-based methods temperatures of oceans, surface and atmosphere – from the deep past to the present terrestrial carbon feedback cycles local, regional and hemispherical modulations of temperature and GHG simulations and model calculations comparison of earlier simulations with the latest scenarios knowledge gaps remaining budgets of GHG under different simulations tipping points for the climate system |
| Learning objectives | The aim of the lecture is to provide the students with detailed knowledge about the physical and chemical methods to monitor relevant greenhouse gases in past and present and to understand the relevant equilibria and cycles in our ecosystem. It should enable the students to critically discuss various aspects of climate change and make a direct link to their spectroscopic knowledge. Understanding the physical basis of the climate change is a prerequisite to make suggestions and decisions how to deal with this unique challenge for humanity. |
| Bibliography | The lecture will be based on the Working Group I contribution (“The Physical Science Basis”) to the 6th assessment report of the IPCC (2021), the literature used therein as well as most recent literature. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/ |
| Comments | This lecture will deal with the science background of climate change - it will not be a stage for ample discussions on the ethical and political implications and social issues of the climate change. |
| Admission requirements | Basic knowledge in IR- and MS-spectroscopy is very helpful, but not strictly a prerequisite. |
| Course application | https://services.unibas.ch |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 19.02.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 26.02.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 05.03.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 12.03.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Wednesday 19.03.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 26.03.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 02.04.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 09.04.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 16.04.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 23.04.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 30.04.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 07.05.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 14.05.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 21.05.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Wednesday 28.05.2025 | 13.15-16.00 | Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC |
| Modules |
Doctorate Chemistry: Recommendations (PhD subject: Chemistry) Module: Applied Atmospheric Sciences (Master's Studies: Geosciences) Module: Mixed Topics (Master's Studies: Chemistry) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Written exam at the end of the lecture series. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Departement Chemie |