BB831: Geobiology Field Course (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04008801

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.
4th quarter/1st quarter

Teacher responsible
Email: khabicht@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
sacrowe@biology.sdu.dk
verona@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
There is no timetable available for the chosen semester.

Comment:
Kurset foregår på Island de to første uger af august. De studerende sørger selv for at arrangere og betale transport, idet man dog kan søge Nordplus om et mobilitetsstipendium til dækning af transportomkostningerne. Overnatning finansieres og organiseres af Biologisk Institut. Der må påregnes udgifter i størrelsesordenen ca. 1500 kr. til leveomkostninger. De tilmeldte studerende vil få nærmere information bl.a. m.h.t. at søge midler fra Nordplus

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
Bachelor degree in biology, chemistry, or geology.

Course introduction
The course will take place in Iceland and have the focus on geobiology and microbiology in geothermal sites. The goal is to teach students to work at the interface between microbiology, molecular ecology, biogeochemistry and geology while learning how microorganisms affect the elemental cycles of hot springs and how they shape the environment of the ancient and modern Earth.

Expected learning outcome
At the end of the course we expect the students to:

• Demonstrate that they are confident in working interdisciplinary and correctly use the concept, notation and symbols from different fields of natural science.
• Document knowledge about the principles of the geological formation of Iceland’s hot springs.
• Describe different hydrothermal deposits.
• Can use different instruments for in-siu measurements of physical and chemical parameters.
• Analyze different redox sensible compounds and gasses from hot springs.
• Describe the basic principles for isolating and quantification of microorganisms in hot springs.
• Report the impotents of microorganisms in the biogeochemical cycle of hot springs.
• Describe the most important microbial processes in hot springs.
• Document knowledge about the terms genomics and proteomics and have knowledge about different gen-databases.
• Discuss the importance of microorganisms during early history of Earth.

Subject overview
Study site is one of the lagest geothermal areas in Iceland, the Olkelduhals, that belongs to the Hengill area. During the field visit, students will perform chemical and biological measurements in hydrothermale springs and explore the geological context of the area. Furthermore, the students will take samples for biological and chemical analysis in the laboratory. The course will introduce the students in following topics:

• Field work: Geological site description and identification of rocks and mineral deposits, in-situ measurements of physical/chemical parameters (e.g. temperature, pH, conductivity), observation of microbial mats.
• Microbiology: Description of the microbiology in hydrothermal vents. Enrichments, microscopy, quantification using molecular ecology techniques like DAPI and FISH staining.
• Genomics: Introduction to genomic and proteomic and examples of how these new tools can be used in Geobiology. Study the gene data-bases of microorganisms found in high temperature environments.
• Biogeochemisty: Sampling techniques for measurement of redox-sensitive compounds and volatiles, in situ measurements using microelectrodes of O2 and H2S, gas exchange measurements of e.g. CO2, H2 and methane.
• Geology: Description of the mid-ocean spreading ridges and hydrothermal systems: water-rock interactions and formation of abiotic energy sources for microbial life; Geology of the field site; characterization of rocks and hydrothermal deposits found in the area by microscopy.
• Early earth and development of life: Discussion of what life in hydrothermal environment can tell about early life on Earth.

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Oral presentation of the project. Pass/fail and internal evaluation by teacher.

The presentation will take place during the field work in Iceland.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Forelæsninger: 8 timer
Eksaminatorietimer/opgaveregning: 8 timer
Laboratorieøvelser: 40 timer
Ekskursion: 10 timer
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in English.

Remarks
The course will take place in the first two weeks of August. The course can be taken in stead of BB808 Field Course in Freshwater or Marine Biology.

International students have to be enrolled as a full degree student to sign up for the course.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.