Course responsible: Perrine Geraudie
Course requirements:
Enrolment in a relevant master programme. Students should have a minimum of 15 ECTS in chemistry, and 7.5 ECTS in mathematics.
Academic content:
The combinations of Arctic ambient environmental conditions (long periods of light or dark, cold, dry air, strong wind) affect the chemical reactions affecting persistence (lifetime) and distributions of contaminants. Climate change is expected to play a role, yet unspecified, in this process.
Specific topics:
- The real “POPs” defined: persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT).
- Arctic conditions that affect “P” and “B” in PBT.
- Chemistry of the polar environment.
- Contaminant storage in ice in the Arctic and the effect of a changing climate.
- Forecasting and hindcasting movement of contaminants through the Arctic atmosphere: the application of models.
- The role of particles in Arctic atmospheric contaminant distribution.
Learning outcomes:
Knowledge:
Upon completing the course, the students will:
Have basic knowledge of the local and long distant sources, transport and fates of atmospheric contaminants found in the Arctic. Have detailed knowledge of how physical-chemical processes in the Arctic work differently in the Arctic than at mid-latitude locations. Understand the difference between different types of atmospheric models.
Skills:
Upon completing the course, the students will:
Be able to use the HYSPLIT 4.0 computer model for development of various air mass trajectories. Have skills in interpreting the results of lagrangian atmospheric models. Hold advanced skills in operating various field devices, for collecting or detecting atmospheric particles.
General competences:
Upon completing the course, the students will:
Be able to apply appropriate eulerian or lagrangian atmospheric models to studies of atmospheric transport. Be able to apply proper atmospheric sampling systems to support research goals. Be capable of producing and communicating scientific results, by writing field- and lab reports and a scientific manuscript.
Learning activities:
The course extends over a period of 6 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AT-831.
The students must prepare a 3000 word manuscript (including text, references, figures and tables) on a chosen research topic. Students must participate in seminars led by other AT-331 students on a topic relevant to AT-331/831.
Total lecture hours: 30 hours.
Modelling (computer) instruction: 6 hours.
Student-led seminars: 10 hours.
Laboratory work and local fieldwork at UNIS: Ca. 8 hours.
Fieldwork: 5 days.
Compulsory learning activities:
Written reports on field, lab, or modelling exercises as assigned.
All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Assessment:
| Method | Duration |
Percentage of final grade
|
| Research paper manuscript | 50% | |
| Written exam | 3 hours | 50% |
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.
Each assessment is graded, and subsequently combined into a single grade. Partial grades for each assessment will be available.
Application deadline: 15 October 2018
