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57405-01 - Lecture: Analytical chemistry of the atmosphere – quantifying climate change 2 CP

Semester spring semester 2024
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 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC

Dates

Date Time Room
Wednesday 28.02.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 06.03.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 13.03.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 20.03.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 27.03.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 03.04.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 10.04.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 17.04.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 24.04.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 01.05.2024 14.15-16.00 Tag der Arbeit
Wednesday 08.05.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 15.05.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 22.05.2024 14.15-16.00 Chemie, Organische, Kleiner Hörsaal OC
Wednesday 29.05.2024 14.15-16.00 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

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