Universität Wien

300205 VO Introduction to the chemistry of inland waters (2011W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie

Beginn: Do, 6.10.2011, 9:15 bis 10:45, UZA I; SR 3

Details

Language: German

Lecturers

Classes

Currently no class schedule is known.

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The lecture focuses on three principles of aquatic chemistry:
1) Chemistry of aquatic fresh water systems is to an high extent dependent on external (geographical situation, geology of catchment area or aquifer, shape of water body, climate etc.) as well as on internal parameters (availability of light, convections, exposition to winds, turbidity, productivity etc.).

2)Physical, chemical and biological parameters of natural aqueous systems are strongly interlacing and variable to time and local coordinates.

3) Every chemical feature of natural waters cannot be understood except within the context of interaction between water and adjacent solid phase (soil, sediment, aquifer, suspended matter). Some topics of lecture: electric conductivity: dependence on concentration and diversity of ions, dependence on temperature. Chemical mechanisms of weathering: weathering by oxidation/reduction processes, significance of humic acid content for chelate induced weathering, proton induced weathering of carbonate rocks, differentiation of magma melt, crystal structure of primary silicates, acid weathering of alkaline silicate rocks, alkaline weathering of acid silicate rocks; secondary silicates: smectites and further clay minerals, ion exchange capacity of clay minerals, isoelectic point, clay minerals and soil fertility, natural buffer systems in soils, ground water and surface water systems, alkaline soils in arid and acidic soils in humid climate.
Acidification of soils by fertilisation, loss of organic components by cultivating soils. Redox processes in natural waters: concept of pE,
oxic, suboxic and anoxic soil conditions, sequence of reduction reactions in neutral soils, nitrification and denitrification, sulphate reduction, fermentation,
the nitrate problem in quaternary aquifers.

Assessment and permitted materials

final

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students know about impact of geographic parameters on freshwater systems.
They are as well informed on physical, chemical and biological interactions between solid phase (suspended matter), gaseous phase (carbon dioxide, oxygen) and aqueous phase playing a fundamental role in fresh water systems.
They understand the relation between production and aerobic degradation, reduction potential, pH, mineral content (el. conductivity) and nutrient availibility.
They know to specity different types of chemical weathering as well as their significance on fertility of soils.
They understand different types of buffering systems and know to evaluate fresh water systems by means of chemical data sets.

Examination topics

PowerPoint assisted lecture,
all presented graphics available at Blackboard Vista learning System

Reading list


Association in the course directory

B-WZB, WZB

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:43