Concepts and Practices in Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology - Part 1

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Concepts and Practices in Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology - Part 1

University
Sorbonne University - Banyuls Sur Mer
Module
2.3 Global Change and Functional Biodiversity
Teacher
Semester
Semester 2
Credits
6

The course provides a methodological approach to the physical and geochemical characteristics of the coastal environment. It offers the opportunity to learn how to analyze bulk parameters and trace concentrations of pollutants in contrasted coastal habitats, benthic and pelagic. The coupling between nutrient abundance, productivity and coastal eutrophication, the relationships between the physical structure of the sediment and reducing processes will be addressed. The course is the first part of a 3 courses package, and sets the ground for the courses addressing its biodiversity (Concepts and Practices in Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology -Part 2) and ecological relationships (Concepts and Practices in Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology -Part 3). Students will participate in a learning experiences in microcosms designed by themselves to test how nutrients shape phytoplankton productivity and community.

Course contents

  • The class is based on intensive laboratory work and personalized mentoring and support.
  • A limited set of samples of coastal sediments will be analyzed for:
    • Bulk geochemical characteristics: laser diffraction spectroscopy measures of granulometry, porosity, organic matter, voltametric measurements of O2 and H2 S (Approved) by microelectrodes.
    • Environmental quality parameter of the MSFD will be measured in sediments: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.
  • A limited set of samples of coastal and lagoon seawater will be analysed for: nutrients (ammonium, nitrate, phosphates), abundance of phytoplankton and microbial cells by flow cytometry, and chlorophyll concentrations (fluorometric measurement).

Final competences

  1. Characterize physical and chemical properties of the Seawater and Sediment compartments.
  2. Characterize elements of biogeochemical cycle in the Seawater and sediment.
  3. Characterize the abiotic marine environment and its state or quality.
  4. Design experiments or observations that test hypotheses.
  5. Understand different analytical approaches to quantify environmental parameters and their quality controls

Further course information can be found here: https://studiekiezer.ugent.be/2026/studiefiche/en/C004344