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57405-01 - Lecture: Analytical chemistry of the atmosphere – quantifying climate change 1 CP

Semester spring semester 2020
Course frequency Irregular
Lecturers Daniel Häussinger (daniel.haeussinger@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Valentin Köhler (valentin.koehler@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 5th assessment report of the IPCC (2013), the literature used therein as well as most recent literature.
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/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 Belegen via MOnA.
Language of instruction English
Use of digital media No specific media used
Course auditors welcome

 

Interval Weekday Time Room

No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.

Modules Doctorate Chemistry: Recommendations (PhD subject: Chemistry)
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

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