2.1.9: Links between the carbon and the water cycle

Question 1

Rising global temperatures are mainly due to

Answer 1

increasing atmospheric carbon storage

Question 2

GMST

Answer 2

global mean surface temperature

Question 3

September 2020…

Answer 3

warmest September on record ever

Question 4

PPM

Answer 4

part per million

can refer to how much of a gas there is in the atmosphere

Question 5

Reasons for human caused carbon change

5

Answer 5

population growth
worldwide spread in use of fossil fuels
deforestation 
intensive agriculture
decomposition in landfills

Question 6

Carbon dioxide levels monitored since

and ice cores dating back how many years?

Answer 6

1950

800,000 years

Question 7

The greenhouse effect

general idea

Answer 7

The warming of the planets surface by heat radiated from the atmosphere, making the surface warmed than if the atmosphere didn’t exist.

Question 8

Global temperatures without the greenhouse effect

Answer 8

15-18 degrees C cooler

Question 9

Is the greenhouse effect natural or human-caused

Answer 9

natural

Question 10

The enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 10

Impact on the climate caused by the additional heat retained due to increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, released by humans

Question 11

Incoming solar radiation

wavelength?

Answer 11

short wave radiation

Question 12

Re-radiated solar radiation

wavelength?

Answer 12

long wave radiation

Question 13

Percentage of short wave radiation reflected by the clouds and gases in the atmosphere?

Answer 13

31%

Question 14

Impacts of rising greenhouse gas emissions on the water cycle
4

Answer 14

precipitation and weather patterns
river discharge
sea level rise
acidification of oceans

Question 15

Precipitation and weather patterns impacted by rising greenhouse gas emissions

Answer 15

Warmer world = more evaporation over the oceans = more rainfall.
Climate change predictions say that weather may become more seasonal but not change in quantity. (UK)

Question 16

Higher temperatures

effect on rainfall events

Answer 16

may increase the intensity

Question 17

River discharge impacted by rising greenhouse gas emissions

Answer 17

(in UK)

• entered a flood-rich period with more intense winter rainfall events
• less frontal rainfall in southern England may cause lower river discharges to become more common

Question 18

Sea level rise impacted by rising greenhouse gas emissions

Answer 18

Eustatic level change due to the combination of thermal expansion of oceans and worldwide glacial melting

Question 19

Acidification of oceans impacted by rising greenhouse gas emissions

Answer 19

estimated nearly one third of human activity caused release of co2 into the atmosphere had diffused into oceans,
co2 dissolved in oceans = carbonic acid,
harmful effects for coral reefs and sensitive species,
carbonic acid and carbonate ions = bicarbonate = less carbonate ions available for coral to create shells,
possible impact on metabolic rates and immune systems of marine species.

Question 20

Average global sea level rise per year

Answer 20

3mm