42202 - Soil and Atmosphere Modulübersicht

Module Number: 42202 - module is no longer offered from WS 2021/22
Module Title:Soil and Atmosphere
  Boden und Atmosphäre
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. phil. Raab, Thomas
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:Rationale
The module introduces the students into the basics of soil science and soil protection, chemical and biological aspects of hazardous waste detection and related remediation technologies. Further the fundamentals of air protection with regard to chemical and physical aspects will be taught. For all parts the mutual relationships between climate and land use and ecosystem behaviors will be reflected. Impacts of biotic and abiotic factors on the atmospheric conditions and terrestrial ecosystems will be detailed, and respective tools for the assessment of natural and anthropogenic impacts on relevant ecosystem functions will be shown.

Part Basic Soil Science
The lecture on Basic Soil Science will deal with the basic factors and processes that influence soil formation. Subsequently existing soil taxonomies (basic structure) will be presented. Relevant soil functions will be discussed and related degradation impacts will be assessed at both the ecosystem and landscape level. With regard to soil related processes and functions the principles of plant nutrient uptake and growth will be explained.
  • The student is familiar with factors and processes of soil development and taxonomic tools
  • The student understands the mutual relationship between biotic and abiotic factors of the environment
  • The student knows the biological and mineral constituents of soils and related interactions
  • The student is able to asses the various natural and anthropogenic impacts on soils
  • The student understands the role of the most relevant functions of soils in ecosystems
  • The student is able to integrate the existing knowledge to assess problems in an exemplifying way with regard to N-eutrophication and carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems
Part Meteorology and Climatology
In this course the basics of atmospheric physics are presented in series of lectures, which is accompanied by selected exercises. Together with the complementary course on 'Atmospheric chemistry' the students get a basic understanding about the gaseous compartment of the Earth system. This is one prerequisite for being able to do environmental management, e.g. achievement/maintenance of an adequate air quality, prevent/reduce climate changes, in a farsighted way.

Part Atmospheric Chemistry
The module introduces the students into the basics of the chemical composition of the atmosphere, its origin and changes by natural and man-made processes as well fundamental chemical processes. In close relation to the module physics of the atmosphere the student shall learn that our climate, climate system and climate change is even due to 'atmospheric chemistry' in sense of a chemical climate. The student will learn that atmospheric chemical processes are a result of biospheric and geospheric processes but also feedback them due to the interlinked subsystems.
Contents:Part Basic Soil Science
  • Introduction to soil sciences, and plant nutrition
  • Functions of soils and mutual relationships between soils and other biotic and abiotic factors
  • Basics of relevant factors and processes of soil formation and development
  • Principles of: the mineralogical organisation (primary and secondary minerals, clay minerals, colloids); weathering processes in soils, and oxide and hydroxide formation; formation and properties of soil organic matter; soil biology; texture and structure of soils; soil aeration, temperature and hydrology; bulk and rhizhospheric soil chemistry
  • Fundamentals of natural vs. anthropogenic acidification processes
  • Principles of plant nutrient acquisition and uptake
  • Introduction of prevailing soil classification systems
Part Meteorology and Climatology
The lectures and exercises are related to the following topics:
  • Why do we have an atmosphere (Basic concept: forces)
  • Why do we have winds (Basic aspect: transport, wind energy potentials)
  • Radiation - the 'fuel' for atmospheric motion (Basic aspect: solar energy potentials)
  • Stratification of the atmosphere (Basic aspect: distribution of pollution)
The atmospheric boundary layer (relevant part of the atmosphere life).

Part Atmospheric Chemistry
  • History of the changing atmospheric chemical composition (air pollution)
  • Sulphur and nitrogen chemistry
  • Oxidant chemistry
The role of man-made activities in changing the chemical climate and possibilities in its control will be briefly dealt with.
Recommended Prerequisites:Basic skills in mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 4 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:
  • Brady, N. C. and Weil, R. (2002): The Nature and Properties of Soils. Prentice Hall, New Jersey/USA. (ISBN 0-13-852444-0)
  • Zepp, R. G. & Sonntag (1995): The role of nonliving organic matter in the carbon cycle. Environmental Sciences Research Report 16. John Wiley and Sons (ISBN: 0-471-95463-2)
  • Lal, R., J. M. Kimble, R. F. Follet & B. A. Stewart (2001): Assessment Methods for Soil Carbon
  • Frimmel, F. H. & R. F. Christman (1998): Humic substances and their role in the environment. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
  • Dickinson, G. & Murphy, K. 1997: Ecosystems - A Functional Approach. Routledge Introductions to Environment. (ISBN: 0-203-13248-3) v. Genuchten, M. T., Leij, F. J. & Wu, L. (1997): Characterisation and Measurement of the Hydraulic Properties of Unsaturated Porous Media (Parts 1 & 2). U. S. Salinity Laboratory, USDA, Riverside, CA/Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of California
  • Driessen, P. M. and Deckers, J., Spaargaren, O.,(2001): Lecture Notes on the Major Soils of the World. (ISBN 925-104637-9) Online: http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/DOCREP/003/Y1899E/y1899e00.htm
  • Lal, R. (2002): Encyclopedia of Soil Science. 
  • Online: http://www.dekker.com/servlet/product/productid/E-ESS/toc
  • Alloway, Brian J.; Ayres, D. C. (1993): Chmical Principles of Environmental Pollution, Chapman & Hall London
  • Fetter, C. W. (1999): Contaminant Hydrogeology, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.
  • Freeze, R. Allan; Cherry John A. (1979): Groundwater, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.
  • Goudie, Andrew; Viles, Heather (1998): The Earth Transformed. An introduction to human impacts on the environment, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford.
  • LaGrega, Michael D.; Buckingham, Phillip L.; Evans Jeffrey C. (1994): Hazardous Waste Management, McGraw-Hill, New York.
  • Möller, D. (2004) Luft (in German), DeGruyter Berlin New York
  • Brasseur, G. P., J. J. Orlando und G. S. Tyndall ? Hrsg. (1999) Atmospheric chemistry and global change. Oxford Univ. Press, New York u. a., 654 pp. (ISBN 0-19-510521-4)
  • Seinfeld, J. H. und S. N. Pandis (1998) Atmospheric chemistry and physics ? from air pollution to climate change. J. Wiley & Sons, New York u. a., 1326 pp. (0-471-17815-2)
  • Brimblecombe, P. (1996) Air composition and chemistry. Cambridge Univ. Press, 253 pp. (ISBN 0-521-45366-6)
  • Schlesinger, W. H. (1997) Biogeochemistry - an analysis of global change. Academic Press, San Diego u. a., 587 pp. (ISBN 0-12-625155-x)
Module Examination:Final Module Examination (MAP)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:written examination (90 min.)
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • no assignment
Remarks:This Module will be offered for the last time in winter semester 2015/16!

This module is closely related to modules B10 (Water and Waste) and B12 (Geosciences). Module B22 (Soil Protection and Management) builds up on this module.
Module Components:
Components to be offered in the Current Semester:
  • no assignment
Follow-up Module/s: Phase-out module since: 20.08.2015
  • without Follow-up Module/s