2.b. it is possible to identify the physical and human factors that affect the water cycles in an Arctic tundra area

Question 1

the rates of flows and distinct stores in the Tundras water cycle

Answer 1

Low precipitation (50-300mm/yr) -> little atmospheric store

Low temperatures (below freezing) -> low evapotranspiration -> low humidity -> little atmospheric store -> little rainfall

Low evaporation as suns energy expended on melting snow

short growing season -> little vegetation -> little transpiration

frozen permafrost acting as impermeable layer -> high surface run off-> however -> permafrost slightly thaws in summer months -> revealing the active later -> allowing for more surface storage

limited groundwater stores as permafrost stops infiltration -> therefore most of the water is stored in the cryosphere via permafrost

Question 2

the physical factors effecting the flows and stores

Answer 2

temperature
rock permeability and porosity
relief

Question 3

how temperature effects the flows and stores

Answer 3

low temps
-> little evapotranspiration -> low humidity -> little rainfall
-> Water stored in frozen soils (permafrost)
-> Permafrost -> no infiltration

Higher temps in summer
-> plant growth -> transpiration
-> active layer thaws -> more surface stores -> more run off

Question 4

how rock permeability and porosity effects the flows and stores

Answer 4

Low permeability -> due to permafrost + crystalline rock

-> low infiltration + groundwater storage
-> high run off

Question 5

how relief effects the flows and stores

Answer 5

Years of erosion + weathering -> reduced rock surface -> minimal relief -> slow drainage

Slow drainage -> glacial deposits -> restrict drainage further + waterlogging in summer

Question 6

seasonal changes in the water cycle

Answer 6

Summer months
-> permafrost thaws -> run off, flooding + waterlogging
-> more vegetation can grow now that soils are not frozen + water is available -> more evapotranspiration

Winter months
-> majority of water is stored in cryosphere

Question 7

the impacts of the developing oil and gas industry

Answer 7

Building roads -> disrupts drainage systems

Strip mining -> creates artificial lakes -> disrupting drainage systems + melting permafrost

Dust deposits along roadsides darkens snows surface -> lower albedo -> absorbs more radiation -> permafrost melts

Removal of vegeatiation -> removing biospheric store
Removal of vedgeatation -> less insulation -> permafrost melts

Question 8

management strategies used to moderate the impacts of the oil and gas industry

Answer 8

Infrastructure built on gravel pads -> protects permafrost from melting

Pipelines + infrastructure build on piles -> allowing cool air to circulate underneath -> protecting permafrost from melting

Refrigerated supports on trans-alaskan pipeline + other infrastructure -> stabalises permafrosts temperature -> reducing melting

improved oil detection tech -> reduces the need for exploration -> decreasing their impact