Fall 2003

Dr. Thomas S. Bianchi

LECTURE SYLLABUS

Introduction and Overview of Estuaries

I. Physical Dynamics of Estuaries

Origin and Geomorphology

Distribution of Estuarine Types

Hydrologic Cycle

General Circulation Patterns

Residence Times

II. Chemistry of Estuarine Waters

Density Gradients and Salinity Mixing Diagrams

Ion Speciation

Coagulation and the Turbidity Maximum

Dissolved Oxygen and Redox Chemistry

Dissolved Carbon Dioxide and Other Dissolved Gases

Nutrient (S, N, P, Si,) and Trace Metal Cycling

III. Properties of Estuarine Sediments

Weathering and Watershed Soils

Clays and Authigenic Minerals

Chemistry of Estuarine Sediments

Applications of Radioactive and Stable Isotopes

Organic Geochemistry and Early Diagenesis

IV. Ecosystem Ecology

Primary Production

Primary Production, Wetlands: Salt Marshes

Mangroves, Estuarine Seagrasses

The Fate of Reduced Carbon

Zooplankton

Zooplankton, Benthos: Deposit-Feeding and Detritivory

Benthos Feeding

Benthos

Estuarine Fisheries (Ed Chesney, LUMCON)

V. Anthropogenic Inputs to Estuaries

Heavy Metals

Organic Contaminants

Partitioning and Binding of Contaminants

Nutrient Loading and Eutrophication

Historical Reconstruction of Environmental Change

COURSE POLICIES

READINGS: Text: Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries (1999) Bianchi, Pennock, and Twilley (eds.), John Wiley & Sons.

Current Literature: I will assign 2 to 3 recently published scientific papers each week. You will be responsible for reading these papers, some of which you and another student will lead group discussions on throughout the semester - total number to be determined by class size. Each student will select a partner to work with for the duration of the semester in leading discussions on assigned papers. A paper will be assigned for each class; each presentation by a team should be NO LESS than 30 minutes, which will then be followed by a group discussion. At the end of each class, assuming time is remaining, I will lecture on the current topic using the background notes listed on my webpage (http://www.tulane.edu/~eeob/). Each team will also be required to write a review (approximately 200 words) on each paper assigned to them. The team will be graded on their oral presentation, ability to answer questions, and written summary review.

TERM PAPER/PROPOSAL: Undergraduates will be required to write a term paper detailing ONE topic in estuarine ecosystem dynamics. Graduate students will be required to write a pre-doctoral NSF proposal on their dissertation or master’s degree topic.

The first assignment associated with the term paper/proposal (due October 1, 2003) will include:

1) The potential title and a 1 page abstract (single spaced) that clearly defines the topic you have chosen with a general outline of you proposed paper.

2) On a separate page, a list of five references you used to put your abstract together. These references will be properly cited in the format of the journal Limnology and Oceanography (L&O).

The second assignment (due November 1, 2003) will consist of an annotated bibliography, with 20 properly cited references in the L&O format. Each reference will have a 4-5-sentence summary of the important finding in the paper. At least 80% of these references must be from peer-reviewed literature.

The final term paper/proposal (due December 1, 2003) will be 15 pages of double-spaced text (excluding title page, tables, figures, references, acknowledgements, and appendices). The format will of the term paper and proposal will strictly follow that of L&O and NSF, respectively. Please consult the L&O (http://www.aslo.org/) and NSF (http://www.nsf.gov/) WebPages for further details to authors.

GRADING: There will be no mid-term. The final exam will be cumulative and in essay format; the final exam will be on December 13, 2003, 1 pm - 5pm.. Grades will be calculated as follows: Final exam 50%, written paper/proposal 25%, class presentations and reviews 25%.

FIELD TRIPS: There will be one (maybe two) overnight weekend fieldtrips to LUMCON and/or Turtle Cove Research Station, attendance is required.

LECTURE: Mon. & Wed., 9:00-10:15 am, Dinwiddie Hall, EES library room

NO CLASSES will be scheduled on the following dates: Sept. 1; Oct. 6; Nov. 26-30. The last day of class is December 5.

OFFICE HOURS: Made by appointment with student.

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