CODE 98797 ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/2022 CREDITS 6 cfu anno 2 HYDROGRAPHY AND OCEANOGRAPHY 10590 (LM-75) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR BIO/07 LANGUAGE English TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB OVERVIEW Biological oceanography aims at highlighting the relationships between the biotic component (from mono- to multicellular organisms, from autotrophs to heterotrophs) and the physico-chemical features of the ocean. The levels of interaction are multiple, from global scale to local scale to the microscopic size. The lectures complete, by a biological point of view, the knowledge of the student on oceanographic processes. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The lectures aim at highlighting the relationships between the environmental constraints (physical, chemical and morphological) and the development of the marine ecosystems, focusing on pelagic global effects as well as local processes. Natural features and human-derived alterations of the marine ecosystems will be analysed. Basic ecological and biological information will be provided, related to trophic webs and biogeochemical cycles. Sampling procedures and data analysis will be described with reference to up-to-date research examples. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Attendance and participation to the proposed activities will allow the student to complete by a biological point of view the knowledge on the oceanographic processes . The student will be able to: Define and describe biogeochemical processes in the marine environment Highlight the main features of biogeochemical processes in the marine environment Classify and compare the relationships between biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystems in specific environments Critically select for sampling and analytical methods to design the study of biogeochemical processes. Debate and communicate effectively the arguments using a proper vocabulary. PREREQUISITES The effective participation is based on a consolidated knowledge of the physical and chemical oceanography. TEACHING METHODS The course will have lectures and some practice in the DiSTAV labs. Lessons will be carried out in the Department rooms, whenever possible. Otherwise, Teams platform will be used to allow students to follow the lesson and/or a recording of it will be provided. Lab experiences will be held in the Department labs. Multimedia presentations will be provided. In the lab the most common methods described and analysed during the lectures will be applied. In case of impossibility to provide practice in the lab, further specific information will be provided on Aulaweb platform. All activities carried out in the Department will be held according to room/lab capacity and to the National and local criterions published due to the sanitary and epidemiological condition. Please look at Aulaweb for further instructions and updates. SYLLABUS/CONTENT The following subjects will be introduced and discussed: Basic biology, general biochemical processes connected to Biological oceanography Basic ecology: organism-population-community, producers and consumers, trophic webs and strategies, limiting factors Spatial and functional definition of the marine areas Interactions between the biotic component and the main marine features (depth, bottom morphology, water column structure, water mass movements (currents and waves), temperature, salinity, light, dissolved oxygen, inorganic nutrients, organic matter): examples in peculiar environments Human-activity effects on oceanic and coastal areas: dystrophic events, exploitation, pollution on local and global scale Laboratory activity: practice on the most common analytical protocols for scientific research; sampling strategy design for different environments and purposes. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY All presentations and other useful materials will be uploaded on AulaWeb at the end of the lectures. The following books are suggested to improve basic information. They are available in the M. P. N. Sciences School library. Lalli C.M & Parsons T.R. (1993) Biological oceanography. An introduction. Pergamon Press. Odum E.P. (1988) Basi di ecologia. Piccin-Nuova Libraria. Scientific publications will provide up-to-date information. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD CRISTINA MISIC Ricevimento: Contact the Professor by e-mail or telephone for further explanations or problems. Exam Board CRISTINA MISIC (President) MARIO PETRILLO PAOLO POVERO (President Substitute) LESSONS LESSONS START Lessons will start on 7th October 2020 and end at least on 14th January 2021. See the timetable at the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/ Class schedule BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The exam will consist of written answers to questions related to the arguments discussed during the lessons. The exam will be passed with a vote equal to or higher than 18/30. 5 exam dates will be available in summer (June, July, September) and 2 dates in winter (January, February). Please look at Aulaweb for further instructions and updates due to the sanitary and epidemiological conditions. ASSESSMENT METHODS More details on the exam will be provided during the lessons. The written exam will verify the knowledge of the arguments, the ability at linking practice and theoretical information. The identification of the main features of each argument and the ability to summarise them will be evaluated, together with the use of a proper vocabulary. Exam schedule Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note 21/01/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto 11/02/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto 10/06/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto 08/07/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto 22/07/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto 02/09/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto 16/09/2022 14:30 GENOVA Scritto FURTHER INFORMATION Attendance to lessons is recommended