The course has been developed in order to provide a general understanding of the elements and processes which controlled the level of CO2 in the atmosphere throughout the geological history from the Earth formation to present day. It covers a description of the tools allowing to currently monitor and assess, in the past, the CO2 concentration. It is focused on the carbon cycle and “Source and Sink” systems, including their evolution during the Earth history. It describes the long-term and short-term mechanisms underlying the CO2 variation and natural regulation. It briefly introduces the box models which are used to simulate the atmospheric CO2 changes during the Phanerozoic. It addresses the current CO2 crisis and its specificity regarding the preindustrial situation.
The course includes exercises and interactive discussions
Be able to address in an educated way the atmospheric CO2 problematic
Understand the current and past carbon cycle
Obtain an overview of the tools allowing to monitor and reconstruct the past atmospheric CO2 content
Replace the current CO2 crisis and impact in a geological perspective
Feel the balance between natural and anthropogenic impact on atmospheric CO2
Alain-Yves Huc has a MSc from Nancy University, France (1973) a PhD in Geosciences from Strasbourg University, France (1978) and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, USA (1979-1980).
From 1980 to 1981 he worked as Associate Researcher at “Laboratory of Applied Geology”, CNRS, Orléans, France
He joined IFPEN group in 1981, successively as Researcher, Project Manager and Head of the geochemistry department (1992), Director of the Exploration Centre at IFP School (2000-2004), Deputy Manager of the Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry Division at IFPEN (2004-2013), and Scientific Senior Advisor (2000-2013). During its career Alain-Yves Huc was involved in numerous industrial projects with National and International Oil Companies.
Alain-Yves Huc is currently Associate Professor at Sorbonne University in Paris (ISTeP), Associate Professor at IFP School, and independent consultant.
Specialist in petroleum geology, Alain Huc is author of 158 published articles in journals and books, 113 Presentations at conferences. Scientific Editor or Author of 7 books on topics covering Petroleum system, source rocks, Unconventional Resources and reservoir geochemistry and holder of 3 Patents. (Google Scholar: 5150 citations, h Index: 39, i10: 87; Research Gate Score: 40.89)
He lectured in Algeria, Angola, France, Germany, India, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, RDC, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, UAE, UK, Venezuela and Yemen. He teaches in French and International universities.