ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 35 Interactive Classroom: 15 Total: 53
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Areas: Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
Handle the scientific terminology specific to biogeochemistry and other related disciplines.
- Handle specialised bibliography.
- Learn to observe and interpret the main surface biogeochemical processes.
- Develop critical capacity for the interpretation of information on environmental degradation processes related to human activities.
- Diagnose environmental problems.
Origin of the elements, the Solar System, the Earth and Life. Main processes in biogeochemistry and their methods of study. Distribution of chemical elements in surface systems: atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Structure, dynamics and current degradation processes of these elements. Biogeochemical cycles of the elements.
Programme of lectures (h) (35)
FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS. Concept and sources of biogeochemistry. Formation and distribution of chemical elements in the Universe and on Earth. Biogeochemical differentiation: primary, secondary and tertiary. Origin of terrestrial subsystems: lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Introduction to element cycles. 2.5 hours
MAIN PARAMETERS OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL SYSTEMS. Water as a vehicle of biogeochemical reactivity. Concentration and activity. Ionic strength. Ionic potential and mobility of elements. pH: measurements, variability in natural systems. Redox potential (Eh) Eh-pH diagrams and main geochemical environments on Earth. Colloids: types, nature and properties. 4 hours
LITHOSPHERE: composition, structure and dynamics of the lithosphere. The geological cycle. Meteorisation of the lithosphere: types, main processes, estimation of the intensity of chemical weathering. Soils: formation, organisation, types and environmental functions. Main soil degradation processes. 9.5 hours
ATMOSPHERE Composition: gases and aerosols. Structure: layers of the atmosphere. Dynamics of the atmosphere (atmospheric circulation). Atmospheric biogeochemical reactions and couplings. Main atmospheric degradation processes: stratospheric ozone depletion, tropospheric ozone formation, acid rain, induced climate change. 9.5 hours.
HYDROSPHERE Composition of the hydrosphere and water cycle. Composition, structure and dynamics (ocean circulation) of the oceanic hydrosphere. Composition, structure and dynamics of the continental hydrosphere. Main degradation processes of the hydrosphere. 9.5 hours
Practical work (h) (11)
1. Field work. Study area Aldarís (Pontevedra). Habitat type: peatland wetland. Description of the characteristics of the environment and in situ analysis of the main parameters of the biogeochemical system under study. Decision-making on sampling, taking into account the results obtained. Sampling (6h).
Laboratory work. Study of the chemical composition of the different samples collected in the field. Analysis of the results obtained. Discussion of the results (5h).
Seminars (h) (6)
Three seminars with a duration of 2 hours each. The cycles of the elements will be developed in a practical way.
Tutorials (h) (1)
One tutorial of one hour duration. Doubts will be solved.
Basic bibliography
- Butcher S.S., et al. 1992. Global biogeochemical cycles. London: Academic Press.
Biblioteca de Bioloxía: EMA 473
Biblioteca de Bioloxía: EMA 473 A
- Ernst W.G. (ed). 2000. Earth Systems. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Biblioteca de Farmacia: TG 157
Biblioteca de Bioloxía: A TG 295
- Schlesinger, W.H. 2000. Biogeoquímica: un análisis del cambio global. Barcelona: Ariel.
Biblioteca de Bioloxía: A TG 115 A
Biblioteca Xeral: SL 570 94
- Sierra Rodríguez, M. Á., 2010. Principios de química medioambiental [en liña]. 1ª ed. Madrid: Sintesis. Dispoñible en: https://prelo.usc.es/Record/Xebook1-519
Complementary bibliography
- Andrews, J. E., Brimblecombe, P., Jickells, T. D., Liss, P. S., & Reid, B. 2009. An introduction to environmental chemistry. John Wiley & Sons.
- Contreras López, A., 2012. Ciencia y tecnología del medioambiente [en liña]. Madrid: UNED. Dispoñible en: https://prelo.usc.es/Record/Xebook1-1419
- Díaz de Mera Morales, Y., & Martínez Ataz, E., 2004. Contaminación atmosférica [en liña]. 1ª ed. electrónica. Cuenca: Ediciones de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Dispoñible en: https://prelo.usc.es/Record/Xebook1-1730
- Jacobson M.Z. 2002. Atmospheric pollution. History, Science, and Regulation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Muñoz Andrés, V., 2019. Gestión y conservación de aguas y suelos [en liña]. Madrid: UNED. Dispoñible en: https://prelo.usc.es/Record/Xebook1-5220
- Stevenson F.J, Coels M.A. 1999. Cycles of soil: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, micronutrients. 2nd ed . New York: John Wiley & Sons
Knowledge: Con01, Con02, Con09, Con11
Skills: H/D01, H/D02, H/D06, H/D07, H/D08, H/D11
Competences: Comp04, Comp05, Comp08
The USC Virtual Campus will be used through the Moodle application as a communication tool with students, offering them information on the teaching programme throughout the course in the classroom and complementary materials for the study of the subject (teaching guide, class presentations, scientific reference articles, links to websites with content of interest, bulletins of questions, etc.), encouraging students' independent study and the use of bibliographic sources in English. Likewise, the delivery of the material necessary to carry out the seminars and practicals, as well as the delivery of assignments carried out by the students, will be carried out using the Moodle platform. Forums will be created for the resolution of doubts and the expansion of information.
Lectures:
Alternation of lectures, which offer the possibility of focusing on the most important aspects of each subject, with project-based learning (scored as continuous assessment). These classes will focus on the understanding of the concepts of the subject and will offer a global vision of the subject. Activities supported by audiovisual and computer media, using different formats. Thirty-five hours of the course will be devoted to this activity. Attendance at lectures is not compulsory.
Interactive classes
- Field practice: A field practice will be carried out in groups in which the applicability of the theoretical knowledge acquired will be demonstrated. A biological, geological and socio-economic contextualisation of the study area, a description of the physical environment and biotic factors, the most appropriate sampling method will be assessed, biogeochemical parameters will be determined using the necessary equipment and samples will be taken for analysis in the laboratory.
- Laboratory practice: personal and group work in the laboratory using the appropriate tools and equipment to analyse the samples collected in the field practice.
- Seminars: Student work, in small groups, under the supervision of the lecturers, in which activities (exercises, case studies, simulations, etc.) for the application of theoretical knowledge are proposed for their resolution. These activities will require the active participation of students.
Attendance to the interactive classes is not compulsory, but the completion of the proposed activities is part of the continuous assessment.
Tutorials
Resolution of doubts raised by students, individually or in groups. They will be requested by students according to their needs. Not compulsory.
Exam
Compulsory for all students who have not passed the minimum mark in the continuous assessment. It will last two hours and will assess the knowledge acquired.
The qualification will be an average of the performance in the different parts in which the student's work is evaluated. 100% of the qualification can be obtained through contiuous assessment (20% field and laboratory practice (attendance and memory), 10% seminars (attendance and memory) and 70% projects proposed in lectures)or a combination of continuous assessment (20% field and laboratory practice (attendance and memory) and 10% seminars (attendance and memory)) and final exam (70%).
The student's work in interactive teaching will be assessed on the basis of attendance and a report on practical work (field and laboratory work) and the reports on the activities proposed in the seminars, none of these activities being compulsory in order to pass the subject.
Continuous classroom assessment will be evaluated based on in-person attendance and proposed project reports. A minimum score of 5 is required to pass the course through continuous assessment.
The final exam, which is mandatory for students who do not pass the continuous assessment, requires a minimum score of 4.
Scores obtained in laboratory and field work and seminars, which are non-mandatory activities, will be added as long as the minimum score is achieved in the continuous classroom assessment or the final exam.
In the case of students who have been granted dispensation from class attendance, the assessment will be carried out by means of theory and/or practical exams.
Students who have to attend the second opportunity will keep the marks obtained in the field, laboratory and seminars, but will have to repeat the final exam.
For repeating students: the field, laboratory and seminar grades obtained in the previous two years will be retained.
In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the ‘Regulations for the evaluation of students’ academic performance and revision of grades’ will apply.
Likewise, it is strictly forbidden to distribute by any means the teaching material posted on the virtual campus.
Evaluation of competences
-Examination: Con01, Con02, Con09, Con11, H/D01, H/D06, H/D08.
-Work proposed in the classroom and in seminars: Con01, Con02, Con09, Con11, H/D02, H/D06, H/D07, H/D08, H/D11, Comp05, Comp8.
- Field and laboratory reports: Con01, Con02, Con09, Con11, H/D01, H/D02, H/D06, H/D11, Comp04, Comp05, Comp08.
It is estimated that students will need between 1.5 and 2 hours of study and personal work for each hour of classroom teaching. In this way, the time dedicated would be:
Classroom work:
Lectures: 35 hours
Interactive classes:
Practical work: 11 hours (6 hours in the field, 5 hours in the laboratory).
Seminars: 6 hours
Tutorials: 1 hour
Examination: 2 hours
Total hours of face-to-face work: 55 hours
Personal work
Study and/or preparation of assignments: 80 hours
Preparation of the internship report and seminars: 15 hours
Total hours of personal work: 95
Total time of dedication: 150 hours
- Regular attendance and participation in lectures and interactive classes.
- Completion of all assignments
- Use of tutorials
- Use of recommended bibliography
- Continuous study based on the understanding of the concepts.
- Use of the virtual campus throughout the course
- Consultation in advance of the documents that will be indicated in order to facilitate student-teacher interaction.
The Moodle platform will be used to facilitate the exchange of information between teachers and students.
It is recommended that students have taken the subjects Geology and Characterisation of the Physical Environment, taught in the first year of the degree.
Teresa Maria Taboada Rodriguez
- Department
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Area
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Phone
- 881813289
- teresa.taboada [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
Beatriz Loreto Prieto Lamas
Coordinador/a- Department
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Area
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Phone
- 881814594
- beatriz.prieto [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Antonio Manuel Martinez Cortizas
- Department
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Area
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Phone
- 881813379
- antonio.martinez.cortizas [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Patricia Sanmartin Sanchez
- Department
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Area
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Phone
- 881814984
- patricia.sanmartin [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
Francisco Xabier Pontevedra Pombal
- Department
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Area
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Phone
- 881813238
- xabier.pombal [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
| Wednesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| Thursday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 06.04.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 06.04.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 06.04.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 07.03.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 07.03.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |