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Coastal Environments and Processes

GEOS3009

The aim of this course is to introduce students to a variety of Coastal Environments and the major physical and chemical processes which control the morphodynamic evolution of these systems. The course offers a unique opportunity of learning the full spectrum of marine sedimentary environments from siliciclastic, temperate, highly urbanised and impacted estuarine ecosytems to carbonate, tropical, pristine and undeveloped/protected coastal and continental margin environments. The course includes field work at two of the Universities research stations, i. e. at Chowder Bay, Port Jackson and One Tree Island on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The two parts of the course comprise physical and chemical processes in estuarine and carbonate-dominated coastal and continental margin environments.The first part of the course covers basic morphodynamics and physical processes in estuarine environments and focuses on methods of assessing the magnitude of human impact on these valuable and sensitive ecosystems and judging the risks of sedimentary contaminants on benthic animals. A major part of this section is a project aimed at assessing the environmental status of a major embayment of the Sydney estuary.The second part of the course covers the basic morphodynamics and processes impacting carbonate-dominated coastal and continental margin environments. The focus is on carbonate reefal and margin systems and their geologic and biologic responses to past, present and future environmental changes. These systems will also be studied in the field at The University of Sydney One Tree Island Research Station in the GBR and in some practicals. This fieldtrip is not compulsory but is strongly recommended as it will expose students first hand to a pristine, world class coral reef system. Students who are unable participate in the GBR field trip will be given an alternative assignment.

Unit of study details

Unit of study level: Senior

Credit points: 6

Commencing semesters: 1

Further unit of study information

Unit of study handbook: GEOS3009

Costs and scholarships information: Costs and Scholarships

Final dates to withdraw from units of study: Census Dates

Available for study abroad and exchange: Yes

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