GE478 Fjord Processes

Contents and structure

The Fjord processes course introduces students to the abiotic and biotic processes that dominates in fjord environments. Students will learn about basic hydrography, focussing on physical and chemical properties of fjord waters and how these vary seasonally and in space. With this as base, connections will be made with nutrient flows, biodiversity, and biological production at all ecosystem levels from microorganisms to marine mammals. Potential impacts from climate change and other anthropogenic stressors are also discussed.

A major part of the course is a dedicated Science project that integrates the whole From Mountain to Fjord program. This project investigates actual environmental challenges in local waterbodies and trace the environmental signals from the sediments, and through the water column back to their (terrestrial or atmospheric) sources in space and time. The project results are presented in a public seminar where problem owners, local authorities and others are invited.

Learning Outcome

The student should

• know the most important hydrographical processes in fjords
• understand how fjord hydrography is influenced by natural processes and how it varies naturally
• recognise and have basic knowledge about the dominating biota in fjords, and the ecological interactions between them
• understand how climate change, pollution, and other anthropogenic activities impact fjord ecosystems
• learn how fjord sediments and biota can be used to reconstruct environmental change through space and time
• know how abiotic and biotic factors can be used to assess ecological and chemical conditions in fjords

The student should be able to

• use hydrographical and biological sampling equipment to investigate fjord environments and collect data
• analyse and interpret hydrographic, chemical, and biological data from fjords
• use different methods to identify fjord organisms
• use different methods to assess ecological and chemical (pollution) conditions in fjords
• reconstruct environmental change from signals in fjord sediments and biota

The student should be able to

• read and understand scientific reports and papers on hydrography and fjord biology
• work in teams and answer to interdisciplinary environmental topics
• combine methods to plan for and analyse research questions
• communicate and present research, analyses, and conclusions clearly, both written and orally

Entry requirements

90 ECTS within earth sciences, or environmental sciences, or life sciences, or similar study directions at the time of application (15th of April for international students).

Recommended previous knowledge

The course builds on GE476 Geological Aspects of Western Norway and GE477 Glaciers and Ecology.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods include lectures, seminars, field excursions, laboratory exercises and project work.

Students must be prepared to pay for their food during fieldwork and excursions according to the HVL rules and regulations on accommodation and travel expenses.

Compulsory learning activities

To enter the final exam, students need to have approved

• one written report from a field excursion (group)
• one presentation of a scientific paper (group) 
• one blog text on an optional fjord process topic (individually)

Attendance at excursions and laboratory exercises is mandatory.

Assessment

40%: Written examination under supervision (2 h multiple choice test). Grading A-F.

60%: Oral examination, presentation of the science project. Grading A-F. This is a group project, but the students will be graded individually.

Examination support material

Dictionaries in the international participant's native language.

More about examination support material