AB-823 Light Climate and Primary Productivity in the Arctic (10 ECTS)

Grade:	Letter grade (A through F)
Course Cost:	Fieldwork, ca. NOK 1400 (7 days x NOK 200 per overnight stay)
Course Capacity Min/Max:	10/20 students (AB-323/823 in total)
Language of instruction:	English
Examination support material:	Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue

How to apply

Geir Johnsen

Adjunct Professor, Marine Optics

geir.johnsen@unis.no

UNIS contact person:

Course requirements

Enrolment in a relevant PhD programme.

Academic content

This course reviews the main key-environmental variables (light regime, temperature, nutrients, salinity & CO₂) affecting marine primary production in the Arctic. We focus on how phytoplankton, sea-ice microalgae and macroalgae are adapted (long term adjustments) and acclimatize (short term adjustments) to variations in the light regime (irradiance, its spectral composition and day length), affected by temperature, salinity and CO₂ concentration. We also go through micro- and macroalgal eco-physiology and biodiversity during midnight sun period (April – August) and polar night period (November – February).

Practical work includes taxonomy (microscope, pictures, molecular overview), primary production measurements using fluorescence kinetics to estimate electron transfer rates (e.g. Pulse Amplitude Modulated and Fast Repetition Rage fluorometry), and light absorption and utilization (spectrometers, irradiance meters, spectroradiometer).

Learning outcomes

Students will acquire a deep comprehension of the system ecology and photo-biology of the Arctic micro- and macroalgae and how growth is related to environmental key factors. The combination of complimentary lectures, and field-based practical work will further their understanding of the environmental challenges, especially climate induced differences in time and space. Student-led project work will enhance skills in experimental design and analysis including the demands and limitations of fieldwork in extreme environments. PhD students will have some selected “in-depth tasks” and research papers in addition to the MSc level part of the course.

Upon completing the course, the students will have:

Learning activities

The course extends over ca. 5 weeks including compulsory safety training, and is run in combination with AB-323.

The lectures are based on literature on algal photosynthesis, general physiology, ecology, and we also focus on differences between various algal classes and pigment groups (chemo-, bio-, optical- and molecular taxonomy). The course also includes laboratory/field exercises in which students study how different algal groups utilize available light for photosynthesis and growth.

Compulsory learning activities

All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.

• Field excursions
• Laboratory work
• One approved report
• A presentation on a given topic

Assessment:

Student life