Introduction to Freshwater and Marine Biology

Course manual 2017/2018

Course content

This is an advanced course on the physical, chemical, and biological processes that are of key importance for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems in freshwaters, seas, and oceans. A thorough understanding of these processes provides an essential background for further master studies in Freshwater and Marine Biology.

The course consists of lectures and seminars providing a firm theoretical background, fieldwork in Dutch lakes, in combination with analysis of field data, and a computer practical in which the impact of meteorology and climate change on lake stratification is simulated.

Topics of the lectures include:

• the water molecule
• light in water
• hydrodynamics
• heat budget & global warming
• solubility of oxygen & other gases
• lake metabolism
• salinity
• biogeochemical cycles of C, N, P, S, trace metals
• aquatic photosynthesis
• nutrient limitation in lakes and oceans
• Nutrient-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton models
• harmful algal blooms
• impacts of climate change (rising temperature & carbon dioxide levels)

In the seminars, students will practice how to apply physical and chemical equations to solve questions relevant for aquatic systems (e.g. how deep does light penetrate in the water column?, how much oxygen dissolves in water a great depth?, etc.)

The theory is followed by several days of practical work that consists of:

• Fieldwork in Dutch lakes to sample several physical, chemical and biological parameters
• Laboratory work to analyze nutrient and chlorophyll concentrations in lake water and to identify plankton and macrofauna groups
• Analysis of field data, e.g. calculation of stratification indices, light attenuation coefficients, biodiversity indices, lake metabolism
• Computer simulations with a physical model, to calculate the impact of meteorological conditions (climate change) on the hydrodynamics of lakes and the species composition of the plankton.
• Results of the fieldwork and computer simulations are reported in oral presentations.

Study materials

Literature

• Oceanography and Marine Biology – David W. Townsend ISBN 978-0-87893-602-1. This book can be bought at the bookshop Athenaeum Boekhandel Roeterseiland, Roetersstraat 41, Amsterdam. The book can also be ordered from the webshop of the bookstore and will be sent to you free from delivery costs (http://www.athenaeum.nl/boek/?authorTitle=townsend-david-w-/oceanography-and-marine-biology--9780878936021/)

• Freshwater Ecology, Concepts and Environmental Applications of Limnology (2010) 2nd Edition, Eds. Walter Dodds & Matt Whiles, Academic Press, ISBN978-0-12-374724-2.
  The chapters needed for this course will be made available for you on Blackboard.

• Powerpoints of lectures will be available on blackboard

Practical training material

• Will be available through blackboard

Other

• Field guide will be available through blackboard

Objectives

 At the end of the master course Introduction to Freshwater and Marine Biology :

• The student is able to describe the major physical, chemical and biological processes in aquatic systems and to explain how these processes interact. The topics that will be studied in the course are listed below.
• The student is able to apply physical and chemical principles to solve equations relevant for aquatic systems.
• The student develops practical skills to sample aquatic ecosystems (e.g. sample depth profiles of physical-chemical parameters, sample water for nutrient, chlorophyll and phytoplankton analysis, sample macrofauna).
• The student is able to analyze physical, chemical and biological data of aquatic systems in excel, and to interpret how these physical, chemical and biological parameters interact.
• The student is able to use a hydrodynamic model that predicts the impact of meteorology and climate change on lake stratification, and interpret the outcomes.
• The student is able to orally present the results of the analyses of the field data and the hydrodynamic model scientifically.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study

During lectures students learn the basic principles of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that are of key importance for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems in freshwaters, seas, and oceans. During fieldwork they learn to sample freshwaters, and to use standard equipment for water quality measurements. In the lab they learn to analyze field samples. During seminars students learn to apply physical and chemical calculations that have been explained in the lectures, and plot, analyze and interpret the field data they acquired. Students also learn to run, plot and interpret data from a hydrodynamical model. To be able to interpret field data and model input students need to apply knowledge from the lectures. The analysis and interpretation of field data is assessed during student presentations. Theoretical knowledge is tested during the exam.

Learning activities

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance at lectures is highly recommended.

Attendance during practical components (fieldwork, seminars, labwork) is mandatory. The course coordinator has to be informed in case a student cannot attend one of the practical components.

Assessment

The exam material consists of sections of the books listed under 'study materials' and the powerpoint presentations of the lectures. Detailed information on exam material can be found in the welcome letter posted on blackboard.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.uva.nl/plagiarism

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Jolanda Verspagen