Detailed information about the course

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Title

Geo-Microbiology and Environmental & Microbial Ecology in in High Mountain Ecosystems (Field course)

Dates

August 22-26, 2016

Responsable de l'activité

Pilar Junier

Organizer(s)

Prof. Kurt Hanselmann, Department of Earth Sciences at ETH

Prof. Pilar Junier, UNINE

Speakers

Kurt Hanselmann, Department of Earth Sciences at ETH

Pilar Junier, UNINE

Description

Experimental work is not the only skill that students in the field of microbiology should develop during their academic training. For many fields, including examples such as microbial ecology or geomicrobiology, a thorough training in fieldwork is also required. Therefore, this 5-day activity aims at offering the students this required training by combining field activities with the development of a practical project that can be accomplished in the field. This will be complemented by presentations and discussion (by the students and participants) related to topics linked to the environments under study. We will take advantage of the diversity of Swiss landscapes and particular microbial ecosystems in the Alps, where we can illustrate the evolution of ecosystems, extremophiles and the interaction of microbes, minerals and rocks. The objective is to train students to carry out fieldwork under different environmental settings and also to initiate original research. We will also base this course on the extensive knowledge of highly recognized Swiss scientist that have dedicated part of their careers to work in the field (in Switzerland and abroad), offering to the students a unique opportunity to enlarge their skills and training.

Geomicrobiology: Low temperature geobiochemistry in sulfur and iron dominated microbial habitats of mineral springs. Nutrient cycling by microbial ice and snow communities. Evolution of mountain lakes in glacier retreat areas. Sequestration of organic and inorganic nutrients and element cycling in high altitude aquatic ecosystems by clay erosion particles and colloids and through coupled Fe-Mn-P-N-cycling.

Biogeochemistry: Erosion, weathering, basin deposition, soil formation. Buildup and fate of organics in soils and sediments in alpine flood plains and river deltas. Carbonate ice formation in CO2 outgassing zones. Organics and fluid inclusions in peninnic shale deposits.

Geology: Lower Engadin Window (shale, travertine / tufa deposits), Silvretta nappe (gneis), Ela nappe (dolomite, gypsum), Totalp (serpentinite), Meierhofer Tälli (magnetite) Gotschna (radiolarite).

Applied and economic aspects of geobiochemistry and Hydrology: Alpine water resources, mineral water wellness, geomedicine, geomicrobiological and geobotanical toxins. More important information here!

Location

Grisons

Evaluation

In order to get credit for this course you must enroll on the platforms offered by your study institution or, if this is not possible for you, by writing to the organizer [email protected] directly.

Information

For more information please visit the site:www.olat.uzh.ch Program
(Weather conditions might make changes necessary):
Pre-excursion preparation with field guides via Internet www.olat.uzh.ch


August 22:
Davos, Introduction to topics, presentation of projects, organization of sampling strategies.
August 23:
Weissfluhjoch – Strelapass – Schiawang – Station Höhenweg – Weissfluhjoch – Totalp – Meierhofer Tälli - Salezer Horn South - Gotschna – Klosters – Davos.
August 24:
Wägerhus – Jöri glacial Lake Catchment.
August 25:
Lower Engadin Window: Scuol-Tarasp - Ftan - Fuschna - Nairs – Clozza – Sinestra - Rablönch - Davos.
August 26:
Davos, Oral presentations. Course ends early afternoon.

Fitness
Walking on rough mountainous terrain and working in the field for 7-9 hrs / day

Clothing
Good mountain walking boots, layers of clothes for warm as well as for rainy, cold weather

Insurance
Is the responsibility of each participant, also Alpine Air Rescue (REGA)

Accomodation Youthpalace, Davos Dorf, 4 nights, Monday to Friday, August 22 to 26.

Meeting Points
Monday, August 22: 11.50 Davos-Dorf RhB
(Train departures: Neuchâtel 07.59, Lausanne 07.20, Genève 06.42, via Zürich HB à Landquart – Klosters - Davos). Friday, August 26: Return from Davos Dorf, depart 13.06 à Zürich (15.23) à Neuchâtel (17.01), Lausanne (17.40), Genève (18.18).

See the Flyer

Expenses

Course costs:

CHF 350 (4 nights, breakfast, dinner, local buses / trains with ½ Tax Abo or GA)

+ Back pack lunches

+ Travel from home town to Davos / Scuol and back.

 

THE COURSE IS FREE for membres of CUSO or Interuniversity Organismal Biology doctoral programs.

CUSO membres are intitle to reimboursement of living and traveling expenses - train + bus (half-fare card, and 2nd class) from home University to Davos. For Interuniversity doctoral program in Organismal biology participants: see information on the web site.

Registration

Until june 17 Later enrolment is possible as long as there are places available.

Your enrollment is automatically accepted and binding after the sign-up deadline date. Cancellation fees apply after June 17th!

Timeline of cancelation costs :

June 17th 2016 .................................Latest date for cancellation without costs (until 23.59 hrs)

June 18th 2016..................................20% of course costs + CHF 15 handling fee

June 19th to July 23rd 2016.............50% of course costs + CHF 15 handling fee

Junly 24th to August 7th 2016.........75% of course costs + CHF 15 handling fee

August 6th to August 15th 2016.....90% of course costs + CHF 15 handling fee

August 16th to August 20th 2016....95% of course costs + CHF 15 handling fee

Agust 21st and "No show"..............100% of course costs + CHF 15 handling fee

Cancellation fees are based on the total cost (without subsidies) of the full arrangement. You must contact the organizer, Kurt Hanselmann directly [kurt.hanselmann(at)erdw.ethz.ch], if you would like to cancel your arrangement. Cancellation letters must arrive at the organizer's desk before midnight of the desired cancellation date.

Fees for payment reminders:
The first payment reminder is CHF 10, the second CHF 20 in addition to the cancelation fees.
The organizers cannot cover these fees. Please consult your personal travel cancellation insurance contract for accepted reasons and contactyour insurance company directly for reimbursement claims, if this should become necessary.

Places

12

Deadline for registration 22.07.2016
Joint activity joint
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