Paleoceanography - Introduction

This event provides the basics for understanding the states and processes of ocean and climate in the geological past. The following topics are covered:
The role of the ocean in the climate system - Archives and proxies of paleoceanography - The complex delta18O signal - Reconstructions of the surface layer, the deep and groundwater masses - Paleoproductivity - Reconstruction of the ocean circulation - Continental climate changes from marine archives - Changes in ocean and climate on orbital timescales since Pliocene - climate and ocean during the last glacial maximum - changes in ocean and climate on time scales from decades to millennia - possible future changes in the ocean

At the end of the course, the participants have an understanding of the following questions: Which methods can be used to reconstruct previous oceanic conditions and changes? How has the ocean changed in recent Earth history? Which current questions are currently being pursued in paleoceanography? Where are the limits of our knowledge? What possible changes in ocean circulation can be expected in the future?

Summative assessment through written exam in parallel lecture course 05-BMG-PO1-2

written exam

Will be provided during the course.

1. SWS: Introduction to Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology
2. SWS: The role of the ocean in the climate system
3. SWS: Sea-surface Temperature variations
4. SWS: Archives and proxies of paleoceanography I
5. SWS: The complex delta18O signal
6. SWS: Reconstructions of the surface layer, the deep and
7. SWS: Paleoproductivity
8. SWS: Reconstruction of ocean circulation
9. SWS: Continental climate changes from marine archives
10. SWS: Changes of ocean and climate on orbital timescales
11. SWS: Climate and ocean during the last glacial maximum
12. SWS: Changes in ocean and climate on time scales from decades to millennia
13. SWS: Large scale climatic events (PETM, Onset of Antarctic glaciation)
14. SWS: Open Topics & Revision