NIGK23005U Carbon Storage and Biological Interactions in Soils

Volume 2025/2026
Education

MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics with a minor subject

Content

The course teaches fundamental processes controlling carbon turnover and storage in soils and how soil organic stocks are impacted by environment, climate and land use. The course emphasizes the influence soil organic carbon has on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil as well as the global carbon balance. The course covers the role of plants and microorganisms in the formation and decomposition of the carbon rich organic substances collectively referred to as soil organic matter and teaches the influence of both quantity and quality of soil organic matter. Thus, the course delivers a key to understanding why carbon is sometimes quickly released back to the atmosphere and sometimes preserved in the soil for centuries.

The course includes a practical laboratory exercise using state-of-the art stable isotope analytical techniques. This includes an investigation of organic matter turnover rates in soils by studying the temporal change in 13C abundance from samples collected in long-term field trials.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

  • Conceptual understanding of soil carbon storage and its partitioning into different soil organic matter pools
  • Conceptual and process understanding of biological soil interactions that foster soil organic matter cycling and carbon storage
  • Understanding how soil organic carbon impacts soil properties
  • Understanding the processes that control soil carbon cycling
  • Understanding concepts of isotope fractionation and mixing models

 

Skills:

  • Apply correct scientific terms and definitions
  • Identify and apply methods to determine different C pools in soils
  • Apply stable isotope methods to investigate organic matter turnover and carbon sequestration in soils
  • Solve algebraic equations involving isotopic two-end member mixing models

 

Competences:

  • Evaluate and discuss experimental and analytical approaches to study soil carbon cycling
  • Evaluate the robustness and validity of stable isotope analysis to assess soil carbon cycling.
  • Evaluate, discuss and explain scientific publications to fellow students and scientists

Please see Absalon.

BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics or equivalent is recommended
The form of teaching is a combination of practical (laboratory) and theoretical exercises, mixed with ad hoc lectures. We will also read, present and discuss scientific literature. For the teaching plan, please see Absalon.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 14
  • Preparation
  • 171
  • Theory exercises
  • 15
  • Laboratory
  • 6
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)

Oral feedback is given by the teachers and peers on student presentations during the course.

At the exam oral feedback is given in addition to the grade.

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, During course
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. The oral exam is without preparation and includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.
Aid
No aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

Resubmission of written assignment, handed in prior to the re-examination week.

Twenty minutes oral examination without preperation. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see learning outcomes