5 ECTS credits
125 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4018740DNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.
This course outlines the "modus operandi" of the various fluid envelopes of the Earth (atmosphere, ocean, ice) and discusses their interactions.
After a review of the various phenomena involved in the radiative energy balance of the Earth and their consequences on the vertical structure of the atmosphere and the latitudinal distribution of energy fluxes, we describe adiabatic processes in the atmosphere and their implications for clouds formation. The main features of the atmospheric circulation are discussed (Coriolis, winds and pressure, Hadley cells, Walker circulation, subpolar jet stream and associated fronts, local winds).
The second section of the course focuses on the Oceans. It introduces the principles of ocean thermodynamics and dynamics, illustrating their application with some simple and concrete examples of ocean circulation: thermohaline circulation, zonal circulation, regional circulations.
The third part of the course deals with the study of the Cryosphere. We successively review the processes of natural ice formation, the basic principles of ice dynamics, the thermal regimes of glaciers and ice sheets, and the interactions between the cryosphere and the ocean (ice shelves, sea ice and marine ice). A separate chapter is devoted to the cryospheric archives of the environment, and how they are used to reconstruct many of the past environmental variables (temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, volcanic activity, wind, vegetation cover, atmospheric composition ...). It also briefly discusses the different assumptions for the growth of large ice sheets during the transition from warm interglacials to cold glacials. A final chapter addresses the permafrost regions. It presents their spatial distribution, the temperature profiles with depth and the concept of fossil permafrost, the influence of local configuration (lakes, peat, vegetation, substrate type...). We also discuss the various process of ice formation in the soil, and how they evolve in favor of either aggradation or degradation of permafrost, with their associated socio-economic consequences. The practical work involved in this course are exercises on concepts introduced in the theory: radiation balance and cloud types, interpretation of aerologic diagrams, interpretation of ocean T ° / Salinity / Density profiles in terms of hydrodynamic conditions, mass balance and zonation in glaciers, basal conditions in glaciers and melting point, interpretations of isotopic diagrams of deep ice cores, analyses of sedimentary structures.
Course material, text books and further reading :
Powerpoint presentation, available for the students on the intranet
Please consult the course descriptions on the TROPIMUNDO website for the most completed and updated course descriptions.
Course objectives:
Give a global view of the main characteristics of the fluid envelopes (incl. climate) of the Earth and of the complex interactions that govern their behavior and interactions.
Learning outcomes:
Education level: Basic
Ecosystem focus: Environment
Biological level:Global
Be able to describe Earths water budget and climate and link it to processes on a regional scale described in the table of contents below.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Exam : Oral
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Brussels