2b- Arctic Tundra CS

Question 1

Where is the north slope

Answer 1

Vast wilderness in Alaska

Question 2

How much of the USAs oil did North slope used to account for in 90s

Answer 2

1/4 = 25%
Despite challenges of being inhospitable region the high energy prices have driven development

Question 3

What is permafrost

Answer 3

Contains 15% of global carbon
- ground/soil/ rock that is frozen for 2+ years

Question 4

What is the average annual temp and why does it have a large temp range

Answer 4

Average = -12•c
Very large temp range = 15 to -35
But normally below 0
Tilt of earths axes has large effect on seasonal temp due to high latitude

Question 5

Why is there limited infiltration + percolation

Answer 5

Permafrost acts as barrier

Question 6

How does a low temp affect carbon cycle

Answer 6

Low photosynthesis = limited affect as there is a very small growing season

Question 7

Where is most the carbon locked up at arctic tundra

Answer 7

Under permafrost

Question 8

3 examples of human activity at arctic tundra

Answer 8

Drilling for oil
Heated oil pipelines built
Transportation of materials over ice roads

Question 9

How does drilling for oil affect water cycle

Answer 9

Friction from drill = high temps = melt permafrost
- increases surface stores + flows such as surface run off

Drill Reaches 80.C

Question 10

Why do oil pipelines affect arctic tundra

Answer 10

Oil must be kept warm or it won’t flow
= melts permafrost
- this impact is reduced due to pipes on stilts

Oil kept at 50.C

Question 11

How does transportation of materials affect water cycle

Answer 11

Spreads dust over surface = albedo affect = more solar heat absorbed due to it being darker colour = melting

Limited tho due to darker surface being covered next time it snows

Question 12

Why does drilling for oil affect carbon cycle

Answer 12

Decrease in sedimentary rock store = atmospheric store increase from combustion
- greenhouse gas added = warming = more melting = more gasses released
Carbon slow to fast cycle = oil takes millions of years to form + is therefore non-renewable

Question 13

How many barrels of oil are removed a day from the arctic tundra

Answer 13

450,000

Question 14

Why does melting of permafrost affect carbon cycle

Answer 14

Greenhouse gasses released = global warming = more melting

Question 15

What is a positive effect for the carbon cycle as a result of melting permafrost + release of gasses

Answer 15

Warmer temps = more vegetation can grow + photosynthesis

Question 16

How much of global carbon is in permafrost

Answer 16

15%

Question 17

NPP at arctic tundra

Answer 17

> 200
Measure of biomass

Question 18

Annual precipitation in tundra

Answer 18

200mm

Most is snow

Question 19

How much CO2 added to atmosphere due to permafrost melting a year

Answer 19

7-40 million tonnes

Question 20

How long is carbon stored as partly decomposed plant remains

Answer 20

500,000 years

Question 21

how does creation of ice roads affect water cycle -AT

Answer 21

Reduce infiltration + natural drainage

limited due to permafrost so no infiltration anyway

Question 22

how do plants reduce thawing of permafrost in summer

Answer 22

insulate the permafrost by providing vegetation cover = lower melting so lower run-off

limited as only 4 month growing season so limited time to grow sufficient cover

Question 23

percentage of global carbon in Permafrost

Answer 23

15%