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PNS0234
Aquatic systems through the lens of organic matter stability and fate – a coordinated distributed experiment
Aquatic systems are governed by complex and scale-dependent interactions between abiotic and biotic components. As organic matter links many biogeochemical cycles e.g., carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, it is a robust proxy to understand the complex processes in aquatic systems and constitutes an indicator of overall health of aquatic ecosystems. In this course, we will explore the controls of OM stability and fate in a range of aquatic systems. The data on OM properties will be collected through a coordinated distributed experiment (CDE), in which students will first collect samples in their local aquatic ecosystems and then statistically analyse this unique dataset to provide information on spatial patterns of OM stability and fate through simple measurements with cotton strips, litter bags and collecting water samples for characterisation of OM quality, quantity and GHG emissions. Same measurements will be also conducted at the Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Science (SITES). Observed patterns will be interpreted in the context of dominant hydrological, chemical, and biological processes operating in aquatic ecosystems with evaluation of advantages and limitations of the CDE approaches in aquatic sciences.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
PNS0234 Aquatic systems through the lens of organic matter stability and fate – a coordinated distributed experiment, 4.0 Credits
Subjects
ChemistryEducation cycle
Postgraduate levelGrading scale
Pass / Failed
Prior knowledge
Students should have an undergraduate degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology or similar field.Objectives
After the course, students should be able to: • Conduct sample collection following a pre-defined protocol, • Collate and analyse a large dataset on OM stability and fate, • Synthesise and critically discuss the OM stability and fate patterns and interpret them using current knowledge of processes controlling water and matter fluxes in aquatic ecosystems, • Critically discuss advantages and disadvantages of CDE monitoring approaches in aquatic sciences, • Synthesise the experiment findings in a joint scientific publication.Content
Aquatic systems are governed by complex and scale-dependent interactions between abiotic and biotic components. As organic matter links many biogeochemical cycles e.g., carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, it is a robust proxy to understand the complex processes in aquatic systems and constitutes an indicator of overall health of aquatic ecosystems. In this course, we will explore the controls of OM stability and fate in a range of aquatic systems. The data on OM properties will be collected through a coordinated distributed experiment (CDE), in which students will first collect samples in their local aquatic ecosystems and then statistically analyse this unique dataset to provide information on spatial patterns of OM stability and fate through simple measurements with cotton strips, litter bags and collecting water samples for characterisation of OM quality, quantity and GHG emissions. Same measurements will be also conducted at the Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Science (SITES). Observed patterns will be interpreted in the context of dominant hydrological, chemical, and biological processes operating in aquatic ecosystems with evaluation of advantages and limitations of the CDE approaches in aquatic sciences.Responsible department
Department of Soil and Environment