The Carbon Dilemma
lectures, tutorials, group work
Study phase MSc
coordinator: T. Kuyper; L. Weng
course guide
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Sequestering biochar in soil is maybe a robust way to store carbon dioxide. But what about raising energy crops and food production? Can we balance carbon pools and fluxes to optimize these processes? This and much more in this course. |
Soil, Food, Health and Trade Relationships
lectures, tutorials, group work
Study phase: BSc, MSc
coordinator: M. Keizer
course guide
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Integrated discussion of effects of soil composition, plant uptake, food consumption and trade decisions to food related human health issues. Relevant trade aspects focus on global flow of food products and nutrients. After introductionary lectures and tutorials groups of students work on a research proposal related to specific topics (P, Fe, Zn, Se). |
Integrated Natural Resource Management
in Organic Agriculture
lectures, practical's, excursion
Study phase: MSc
coordinator: L. Brussaard
course guide
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Judicious management of resources for sustainable organic agriculture involving different stakeholders, institutional environments and agro-ecological regions |
Applications in soil and water chemistry
lectures, tutorials, practical's
Study phase: MSc
coordinator: M. Keizer
course guide
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The course focusses on applications of new theoretical developments (models and analysis techniques) in soil and water chemistry. New multi surface modeling approaches are discussed and used to model experimental data (adsorption of heavy metals). P-removal from surface water is a topic related to (surface) water quality. |
Nutrient management
Lectures, tutorials
Study phase: MSc
coordinator: E. Hoffland
course guide
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Nutrient management of agro-ecosystems is necessarary to keep nutrient cycles in balance in order to supply the nutritional needs of plants and to reduce environmental problems by leaching of excess nutrients. The course focusses on these goals and on the tools that can help to achieve these goals.
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Environmental analytical techniques
Lectures, practical's, tutorials
Study phase: BSc, MSc
coordinator: E. Temminghoff
course guide
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Introduction into analytical chemistry (spectrometry, structure elucidation, chromatography, electrochemistry, quantitative analysis). Application of various techniques to soil, plant, petrol and (surface) water samples. |
Biological interactions in soils
lectures, tutorials, practical's, excursion
Study phase: BSc, MSc
coordinator: T. Kuyper
course guide
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The course deals with interactions between soil organisms, soil and plants focussing on C, N and P cycles. Important topics of soil fertility and global change will be adressed. Keywords: organic matter, decomposition and nutrient mineralization, reactions of plants to excess and deficiency, role of plants, mycorrhizas and soil fauna in C, N and P cycles, soil structure, greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O). |
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Soil pollution and soil protection
Lectures, tutorials, practical's
Study phase: BSc/MSc
coordinator: M. Keizer
course guide
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The course focuses on soil risk assessment. It includes basic compound behaviour (bioavailability, mobility and speciation) and effects of compounds on soil organisms. |
Soil Quality
lectures, tutorials, practical's, excursion
Study phase BSc/MSc
coordinator: T. Kuyper
course guide
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The course Soil Quality intends to provide an integrated perspective on biological, chemical and physical aspects of soil quality and their interactions. It focusses on soil quality indicators, on bioavailability and mobility of nutrients and contaminants, on sustainable agriculture and on soil carbon sequestration. |
Chemical processes in soil, water, atmosphere
lectures, tutorials
Study phase: BSc
coordinator: T. Hiemstra
course guide
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Based on thermodynanics chemical equilibria occuring in soil, water, atmosphere systems are characterized. The course focusses on processes like complexation, adsorption, volatilization and on dissolution and precipitation of minerals. |