3.1.1 Water and Carbon Cycles Flashcards

Question

what is a morphological system?

Answer 1

this is a system where we understand relationships between elements and their attributes in a vague sense based only on measured features and correlations

Answer 2

when a change in one area of a system causes a change in another and another and another and another

Answer 3

a system that integrates the characteristics of both morphological and cascading systems

Answer 4

a system that can be intelligently manipulated by the action of humans

Answer 5

they are both cascading systems but not control systems

Answer 6

where a change causes a further effect accelerating the original change

Answer 7

system acts by lessening the effect of the original change and ultimately reverses it

Answer 8

1. temperatures warm 2. sea ice melts and shrinks 3. dark ocean waters absorb more solar radiation 4. temperatures warm further 5. sea ice melts more 6. temperatures warm further still

Answer 9

1. surface temperature increases 2. increased evaporation from oceans 3. increased low cloud in atmosphere 4. increased earths albedo 5. decreased surface temperature (slightly) 6. decreased evaporation from oceans 7. decreased low clouds in atmosphere 8. earths albedo decreases

Answer 10

salt water

Answer 11

no, it's useless because if you drink it you go mad, it clogs up machines and cannot be used to water crops as it kills plants

Answer 12

due to the amount of dissolvable rocks present and the flow of ice/glaciers into the sea which aren't salty

Answer 13

by iceberg harvesting

Answer 14

about 20m above ground

Answer 15

only three-tenths of a percent which is all we'll ever have

Answer 16

antarctica

Answer 17

two thirds of our water

Answer 18

1,837 gallons of water

Answer 19

37 gallons of water

Answer 20

100 gallons of water

Answer 21

fewer than 5 gallons of water

Answer 22

one billion people

Answer 23

1.8 billion people

Answer 24

due to global warming water will get more scarce so large amounts of people will migrate to countries that do not have a scarcity of water- e.g. the UK

Answer 25

8.8 million

Answer 26

66% of the human body is water

Answer 27

a body of saturated rock through which water can easily move

Answer 28

it must be drilled into an aquifer

Answer 29

they have a very low porosity

Answer 30

a hole drilled into the ground to penetrate an aquifer

Answer 31

no because the water's not being used as nobody lives there

Answer 32

it means the water can be used for farming in the future

Answer 33

indonesia has the 4th largest population

Answer 34

they have a lack of water

Answer 35

they can't afford to exploit water

Answer 36

-the country is at war -there is no point as there's a very small population -there's high levels of poverty so it's not possible

Answer 37

-oceanic water -cryospheric water -terrestrial water -atmospheric water

Answer 38

-1,370,000,000 km³ with an average depth of 3,862m -covers approximately 72% of the planets surface

Answer 39

divided into principal oceans and smaller seas

Answer 40

-the pH has fallen from about 8.25 in the last 250 years -this change in pH is linked to the increase in atmospheric carbon and may have a profound influence on marine ecosystems -it's mostly salt water

Answer 41

-glacial land ice extends more than 50,000 km² -greenland ice sheet extends about 1.7 million km²

Answer 42

-the portions of the earths surface where water is in solid form -sea ice -ice sheets -alpine glaciers -ice caps -permafrost

Answer 43

-ice sheets form in areas where snow that falls in winter does not melt entirely over the summer- causing layers of snow to pile up into thick masses of ice -if greenland ice sheet melted the sea level would rise about six metres -if the antarctic ice sheet melted, sea level would rise by 60m

Answer 44

-rivers make up only a small percentage of all water, covering just 1,000,000 km² with a volume of 2,120km³

Answer 45

-surface water -ground water -soil water -biological water

Answer 46

there is not much of this water

Answer 47

-exists in all three states -the most common is gas: water vapour

Answer 48

can not be used as it's hard to collect

Answer 49

saline aquifers and mangrove swamps

Answer 50

they exist where seawater has infiltrated into the rocks, often due to over abstraction

Answer 51

ocean store (meaning it's now saltwater)

Answer 52

it's not frozen, in more convenient locations, it's held as ice

Answer 53

water cycles quickly in and out of the atmosphere- the atmosphere can't store it very effectively

Answer 54

they won't refill for a long time as there's little rain, this means they could be infiltrated by seawater when they are empty

Answer 55

climate change, overuse and contamination

Answer 56

-lithosphere (land) -hydrosphere (liquid water) -cryosphere (frozen water) -atmosphere (air)

Answer 57

it contains the frozen parts of the earth

Answer 58

-snow -ice on land -ice caps -glaciers -permafrost -sea ice

Answer 59

melting reduces ice coverage, decreasing albedo, leading to more absorption of solar energy and further warming

Answer 60

increased snowfall in some areas due to warmer air holding more moisture can offset ice loss temporarily

Answer 61

when snow accumulates and compresses into ice, feeding the glaciers

Answer 62

frozen rivers move downhill due to gravity and weight

Answer 63

it covers mountains in ice sheets, playing a big role in reflecting solar energy

Answer 64

permanently frozen soil underground, thawing this could release greenhouse gases like methane

Answer 65

ice that has broken off from glaciers or ice-shelves

Answer 66

an extended piece of ice from a land based ice sheet

Answer 67

massive layers of ice covering land, such as Antarctica or Greenland

Answer 68

-78% nitrogen -21% oxygen -0.9% argon -the remaining gases, such as water vapour and CO2 are found in smaller quantities

Answer 69

-troposphere -stratosphere -mesosphere -thermosphere -exosphere

Answer 70

-lowest level of the atmosphere, from the surface of the earth up to 9-17km -densest atmospheric layer because of the weight of the layers above it -contains 99% of all water vapour

Answer 71

-extends up to 50-55km -much warmer than the troposphere -contains the ozone layer which absorbs radiation from the sun, protecting the surface -not much weather occurs here

Answer 72

-extends up to 80-85km -reaches temperatures as low as -100 degrees -water vapour is scarce but noctilucent clouds can form ice crystals

Answer 73

-extends up to 500-1000km -where the atmosphere begins to break down -temperature rises as altitude increases; however, the air is so thin that although particles may have energy equivalent to a heat of 1500 degrees, it wouldn't feel hot to touch

Answer 74

no well define upper limit as it merges with space where gases can escape earths gravity

Answer 75

a complex system of gases that surrounds the planet and is held in place by gravity

Answer 76

-life support -temperature regulation -UV protection -weather and climate -shield from space debris

Answer 77

it supplies oxygen for breathing and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis

Answer 78

acts as an insulating blanket, maintaining a habitable climate through the greenhouse effect

Answer 79

the ozone layer shields life from harmful ultraviolet radiation

Answer 80

drives global weather systems and patterns through interactions between air, water and sunlight

Answer 81

burns up meteoroids before they reach the surface

Answer 82

the rocky outer part of the earth, it is made up of the brittle crust and the top part of the upper mantle- it is the coolest and most rigid part of the earth

Answer 83

-the rocks in the lithosphere are considered elastic and they are not viscous -the asthenosphere is viscous and the lithosphere asthenosphere boundary is the point where geologists mark the difference in ductility between the two layers of the upper mantle -the lithosphere is far less ductile than the asthenosphere

Answer 84

-oceanic lithosphere (associated with oceanic crust) -continental lithosphere (less dense than the oceanic lithosphere)

Answer 85

North American, Caribbean, South American, Scotia, Antarctic, Eurasian, Arabian, African, Indian, Philippine, Australian, Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos and Nazca

Answer 86

the thermal energy from the mantle part of the lithosphere

Answer 87

thermal energy makes the rocks more elastic

Answer 88

-enormous, hard rocks of the lithosphere may be ground down to powder by the powerful movement of a glacier (cryosphere) -weathering and erosion caused by wind (atmosphere) or rain (hydrosphere may also wear down rocks in the lithosphere

Answer 89

-support life -nutrient cycling -climate regulation -habitats and biodiversity

Answer 90

the biosphere provides the necessary conditions for all living organisms to survive

Answer 91

it supports the circulation of essential nutrients through ecosystems

Answer 92

through processes like photosynthesis, respiration and water cycles

Answer 93

it offers countless habitats for a vast variety of plant, animal, and microorganism species, promoting biodiversity

Answer 94

the biosphere is crucial for sustaining life, ensuring ecosystem balance, and maintaining the overall health of out planet

Answer 95

the main part of the earth where all organisms live

Answer 96

the total amount of water on a planet, this includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground and in the air

Answer 97

in the form of oceans, lakes and rivers

Answer 98

as groundwater in wells and aquifers

Answer 99

when its as clouds and fog

Answer 100

ice: glaciers, ice caps and iceburgs

Answer 101

the cryosphere

Answer 102

In the water cycle; hot air rises as water vapour condenses into a solid or liquid form, they create droplets that precipitate back onto the earths surface as rain or snow, precipitation that falls onto land flows into rivers, streams or lakes, and some of it seeps into the soil where it is held underground as groundwater. When warmed by the sun, water on the surface of oceans and freshwater bodies evaporates, forming a vapour. This then rises into the atmosphere again and the cycle repeates.

Answer 103

precipiation

Answer 104

-surface water -groundwater -oceans -clouds -biomass

Answer 105

-plants -evaporation -biomass

Answer 106

solid to gas

Answer 107

gas to solid

Answer 108

due to deposition, as the air (saturated with water vapour) hits the cold ground it freezes immediately

Answer 109

the weight of air on the earths surface

Answer 110

1 bar or 1000 millibars

Answer 111

because the atmosphere is a gas it cannot sustain large changes in pressure gradients

Answer 112

this is because it gets less dense as it rises so it doesn't trap heat- less insulation

Answer 113

the temperature at any particular height in the atmosphere

Answer 114

they are cooler because the process of creating rain takes up heat energy and due to cold air falling it has a cooling effect on the ground

Answer 115

no space for hot air particles to rise, particles fall and heat up, becomes dry air = deserts

Answer 116

space for hot air particles to rise = rain

Answer 117

1. suns rays are more concentrated at the equator therefore making it warmer (it only has to heat a small area and the suns rays also have to pass through less atmosphere) 2. hot air rises off the equator, this creates low pressure and therefore rain 3. as the air rises it gets colder and small- the water gets squeezed out of it forming condensation nuclei in the atmosphere (the air contracts, causing water vapour to cool and condense), this starts to form clouds at dew point 4. falling air- warms up- expands- no rain = hot deserts 5.temperate regions- same as equation but less hot 6. regions- higher pressure- no rain = cold deserts

Answer 118

*see paper flashcard*

Answer 119

Inter Tropical Convergence Zone

Answer 120

in the middle when its in between the equinox and solstice

Answer 121

up to 4,000 years

Answer 122

up to 1000 years

Answer 123

2 weeks-1000 years

Answer 124

2 weeks-1 year

Answer 125

1-10 years

Answer 126

the transfer processes that act as inputs and outputs

Answer 127

18,000 years ago

Answer 128

about 1/3 of the earth's land area was covered by glaciers and ice sheets

Answer 129

the global atmospheric circulation model

Answer 130

variations in time and space of the water cycle transfer process

Answer 131

on a glacier, this marks the altitude where the annual accumulation and melting are equal

Answer 132

the equilibrium line has moved to higher altitudes so most glaciers are now shrinking and retreating

Answer 133

latitudes affect on climate

Answer 134

as there's lots of water which stops sunlight from going through

Answer 135

the polar cells

Answer 136

less than 500mm of rain

Answer 137

the length of time water remains in the store

Answer 138

when the snout of a glacier falls off into the sea

Answer 139

ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland

Answer 140

400,000 years old

Answer 141

this marks the altitude where the annual accumulation and melting (ablation) are equal

Answer 142

due to the uptake of water through the roots and evaporation from surface of soil

Answer 143

due to the fact there are no rocks to uptake water, and friction and impermeable rocks

Answer 144

by deposition and is it falls it does not melt

Answer 145

they are formed by deposition but as they fall they melt then rise again into colder air and re-freeze- this is how they then fall

Answer 146

-cryospheric change has a regulatory role in sea levels -the cyrosphere is a major store of water -in a period of cooling the cryosphere will grow in size, this is because the water cycle is slowed considerably as the ice restricts the return of the water to the sea and ocean -in a period of warming the cryosphere will add water to the cycle, as the water cycle restarts more of the ice melts and return water to the sea -this increased the size of ocean store causing sea levels to rise through thermal expansion

Answer 147

point at which the ground becomes saturated with water

Answer 148

above the water table but below the surface

Answer 149

rivers erode vertically until they hit the water table where they stop eroding

Answer 150

-it has energy transfers due to the suns rays -it has transfers of matter (water) due to evaporation and transpiration which leaves the drainage basin and enters the atmosphere

Answer 151

-directly from the atmosphere as precipitation -surface runoff -water infiltrates through the ground as throughflow -water percolates through the ground as baseflow

Answer 152

-the mountainous region is colder so there would be little evaporation whereas the lowland forest would be hotter so there would be more evaporation -the mountain area would have less trees so there would be more surface runoff as there's no interception from trees or uptake from the roots whereas in a forest there are lots of trees so there would be limited surface runoff due to the interception of the leaves

Answer 153

-building impermeable surfaces increase surface runoff and increasing flooding -cutting down trees reduces interception so also increases surface runoff

Answer 154

it's lower in summer

Answer 155

it's higher in winter

Answer 156

the flow through the ground above the water table

Answer 157

when water breaks through permeable surfaces

Answer 158

flow through the ground in the water table

Answer 159

flow of a river

Answer 160

when water leaves the drainage basin system

Answer 161

transpiration

Answer 162

evaporation

Answer 163

transpiration

Answer 164

transpiration

Answer 165

transpiration

Answer 166

evaporation

Answer 167

transpiration

Answer 168

evaporation

Answer 169

transpiration

Answer 170

transpiration

Answer 171

evaporation

Answer 172

evaporation

Answer 173

evaporation

Answer 174

as it warms up potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation- the water store is being used by plants (utilisation)

Answer 175

there is a defecit of soil water, plants either wilt or have adaptations to survive dry conditions

Answer 176

precipitation is greater than potential evapotranspiration, all space in the soil has been filled and so it is in surplus, groundwater gets recharged, overland flow can occur leading to floods

Answer 177

precipitation is greater than potential evapotranspiration, the soil water will start to fill again (recharge) until it gets back to its normal level

Answer 178

the balance between inputs and outputs in a drainage basin, usually shown on a graph

Answer 179

because of drought/flooding

Answer 180

-evapotranspiration -streamflow -storage

Answer 181

-precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration -during the winter months when precipitation is high and evapotranspiration and temperatures are low, there is a soil moisture surplus -but summer can lead to a soil moisture defecit

Answer 182

soil moisture utilisation and soil moisture recharge

Answer 183

-plants -agriculture -humans

Answer 184

the soil becomes as saturated as it can be

Answer 185

-always look at the key carefully -look at where the place is in the world e.g. a desert and if the graph doesn't match this then you are reading it wrong

Answer 186

give similarities and differences

Answer 187

just give differences

Answer 188

the pattern of seasonal variation in the flow of a river (discharge)

Answer 189

-the geology and soils (so the amount of precipitation that finds its way to the river depends on: steepness of slope; permeability of the rocks and soils and vegetation cover) -climate (the precipitation, temperature and evaporation rate) -additionally (streams with many tributaries may have a different regime from streams with few)

Answer 190

simple and complex

Answer 191

-these show times of high water levels followed by lower levels, one cycle per year -they exist as a result of glacier melt, snow melt or seasonal rainfall such as monsoons

Answer 192

-they are relatively short -there is the same climate throughout the British Isles

Answer 193

-if a river has more than one period of high water levels and/or low water levels [er year -more common on large rivers that flow through a variety of relief and receive their water supply from large tributaries -and through various climate zones

Answer 194

-drainage basin shape and size -steepness of land -vegetation -carbon land use -deforestation

Answer 195

If there is a big drainage basin it will mean the river discharge is quicker. However, it will mean that the lag time will be longer as there is a bigger volume of water and there is a higher chance of interception.

Answer 196

If it is steeper there is a quick water runoff meaning that there is a shorter lag time.

Answer 197

Precipitation is intercepted by the plants so it takes longer for it to get to the river as the vegetation has taken up/ in the water. Water is lost by evaporation and transpiration also.

Answer 198

Agriculture have a variety of effects among which are ploughing that breaks up the top soil and allows greater infiltration, subduing the hydrographs. This can be enhanced by contour ploughing.

Answer 199

multiply the velocity of the river, measured in metres per second by the cross-sectional area of the river measured in square metres

Answer 200

cumecs (cubic metres per second)

Answer 201

how the drainage basin helps to respond to a period of rainfall

Answer 202

when the river is at maximum capacity (up to the river bank)

Answer 203

the rainfall event and the discharge- it shows the discharge before, during and after the storm

Answer 204

the maximum discharge that a river channel is capable of carrying without flooding

Answer 205

the amount of water in a river flowing past a particular point expressed m³ s⁻¹ (camecs)

Answer 206

it leads to flooding

Answer 207

the point on a flood hydrograph when river discharge is at its greatest

Answer 208

discharge resulting from storm precipitation involving both over land flow, through flow and ground water flow

Answer 209

the time between peak rainfall and peak discharge

Answer 210

the longer the lag time the lower the peak flow, this is because the water molecules arrive to the river at different times

Answer 211

water trickling out of the ground from bed and banks of river

Answer 212

-weather -drainage basin -vegetation -geology and soils -land use -agriculture -construction

Answer 213

-snow slows down -precipitation, intensity and duration -temperature, evaporation reduces discharge

Answer 214

-shape, rounder=higher discharge -size, smaller increases discharge -slope, step slope means water reaches river more quickly -drainage density

Answer 215

the number of river/ stream channels in a square km

Answer 216

more trees can reduce infiltration due to higher interception, higher evapotranspiration and more uptake

Answer 217

impermeable rocks increase surface runoff and humous soils absorb more water

Answer 218

-urbanisation -drainage -deforestation

Answer 219

removes vegetation and ploughing creates mini drainage basins in the fields

Answer 220

-dams -levees -afforestation

Answer 221

to moderate the flow of the river

Answer 222

New Orleans levee

Answer 223

a graph of discharge of a river over a period when the normal flow of the river is affected by a storm event

Answer 224

name given to a river that only flows in winter (baseflow gets to zero in summer)

Answer 225

the water has to drop below the water table

Answer 226

-The rising limb is described as... -The falling limb is described as... The lag time for _____ is... -The peak discharge for _____ is... -Some of the reasons of this shape include... because...

Answer 227

less clouds even though there is increased evaporation

Answer 228

because the air is hotter- this increases the capacity of the air because it expands, this means the air can hold more water vapour which means the air does not condense and form clouds

Answer 229

*see paper flashcard*

Answer 230

-farmers are able to control the local water cycle through irrigation or land drainage -soils covered with plants have higher infiltration and soil water rates and therefore reduced runoff

Answer 231

water cannot infiltrate the soil as it has been covered with impermeable concrete or tarmac, which increases overland flow and makes flooding more likely- soil water and groundwater stores are reduced

Answer 232

-Colorado river became ephemeral due to water abstraction which has meant it doesn't reach the sea all year round -when water is abstracted aquifers become depleted, they can also become contaminated by inflowing saltwater if the water table drops below sea level -abstraction can result in low flow conditions in rivers which can have harmful impacts on ecosystems

Answer 233

-the water table is lowered, changing rates of infiltration and evaporation creates dry peat that is friable and vulnerable to erosion -dry peat can also ignite which releases carbon -land drainage causes nitrate loss which can lead to eutrophication (algae grows a lot due to fertiliser which suffocates fish) -the dry topsoil can be subject to wind erosion

Answer 234

irrigation has a significant impact on water stores and transport processes, aquifers are in serious danger of being depleted

Answer 235

-leading to surface runoff and soil erosion and reducing soil water stores -less trees means new vegetation generally has fewer leaves and shallower roots which means it uses less water than the forest it replaces -the result is that less water evaporates from the land; more water runs off the land and stream flow is increased

Answer 236

1. water vapour 2. methane 3. carbon dioxide 4. nitrous oxide

Answer 237

the ozone layer is not related to climate change at all

Answer 238

earth would be too cold and no life would exist

Answer 239

the sun sends energy and plants take in the energy and converts it along with carbon dioxide into forms of energy called carbohydrates such as glucose and sucrose

Answer 240

it releases carbon back into the atmosphere

Answer 241

previously dead living organisms that have been compressed under high pressure

Answer 242

oil and gas

Answer 243

it has burned excess fossil fuels which has caused an imbalance

Answer 244

humans breathing out carbon dioxide plays no part in global warming

Answer 245

one where it's inputs are equal to it's outputs

Answer 246

necessity is the mother of all invention

Answer 247

a basic chemical element needed by all plants and animals to survive

Answer 248

-it's recycling it essential for life on earth -enables food to be provided for plants/animals -enables energy sources to be created for industrial development

Answer 249

lithosphere- the rocks and the soil

Answer 250

the carbon flows between each of the stores in a complex set of exchanges

Answer 251

carbon being locked in the ground

Answer 252

-biosphere -atmosphere -pedosphere -fossil fuels -hydrosphere -lithosphere

Answer 253

Vital for life on Earth by converting energy from the sun into carbohydrates that support life. Can store carbon for many years and transfer carbon into the soil. However through deforestation this carbon can be released back into the atmosphere very quickly.

Answer 254

carbon bonds easily with other molecules

Answer 255

A graph showing river discharge over time during a storm event. Helps analyse factors affecting river flow and is a common exam topic in hydrology

Answer 256

Normal river discharge before a storm.

Answer 257

The steep increase in discharge after rainfall begins.

Answer 258

The maximum river flow after a storm

Answer 259

The delay between peak rainfall and peak discharge

Answer 260

The gradual decline in discharge back to baseflow

Answer 261

Rain falling directly into the river

Answer 262

Water absorbed by vegetation before reaching the ground.

Answer 263

Water soaking into the soil (fastest in grassland, slowest in bare soil/rock)

Answer 264

Water moving deeper into underground rock layers (aquifer).

Answer 265

Water running over the ground surface to the river

Answer 266

When rainfall exceeds the infiltration rate (common in summer).

Answer 267

When the soil is already saturated, causing runoff (common in winter).

Answer 268

Water moving laterally through unsaturated soil to the river.

Answer 269

The slowest process, where water seeps from underground into the river.

Answer 270

Smaller basins = shorter lag time, higher peak discharge.

Answer 271

Circular basins = shorter lag time; Elongated basins = longer lag time.

Answer 272

Faster flow, shorter lag time, higher peak discharge.

Answer 273

Intense/prolonged rain = higher peak, shorter lag time.

Answer 274

: Impermeable rock = faster runoff, higher peak discharge.

Answer 275

More vegetation = slower flow, lower peak discharge.

Answer 276

-Sandy soils = more infiltration, lower peak. -Clay soils = less infiltration, higher peak.

Answer 277

More concrete & drains = faster runoff, higher peak discharge.

Answer 278

Less interception = more runoff, higher peak discharge.

Answer 279

Located in Lancashire, UK, draining 2,182 km².

Answer 280

In the Pennines at 442m elevation.

Answer 281

1775mm at the source, 890mm at the estuary.

Answer 282

-Millstone Grit (impermeable) → rapid overland flow. -Limestone → throughflow via joints and bedding planes.

Answer 283

-Urbanisation → Rapid runoff from built-up areas. -Agriculture → Overgrazing & burning increase erosion & runoff.

Answer 284

1. Water extraction from rivers/boreholes. 2. Reservoirs storing water, preventing floods. 3. Afforestation increasing interception.

Answer 285

1. Sewage & industrial waste adding water. 2. Inter-basin transfers bringing water from other areas. 3. Deforestation reducing interception → faster overland flow

Answer 286

It is the 4th largest drainage basin in the world (~1.2 million square miles).

Answer 287

They change naturally and due to human impact.

Answer 288

>75% of annual precipitation is lost through evapotranspiration.

Answer 289

-Arid western areas → little runoff due to high evapotranspiration. -Wetter eastern areas → main source of river flow

Answer 290

-Winter → More precipitation, higher runoff. -Summer → Less precipitation, lower runoff.

Answer 291

Uneven rainfall across the basin changes flow patterns throughout the year.

Answer 292

Storms saturate soil, leading to increased surface runoff & higher discharge.

Answer 293

-Initially → Lower discharge. -Later → Hardened soil increases rapid runoff & flooding after rain.

Answer 294

-92% of the USA’s agricultural exports come from the basin. -Irrigation stores water in reservoirs, reducing natural surface flow. -Increases evapotranspiration.

Answer 295

-43 dams hold back water. -6% of runoff lost due to evaporation from reservoirs.

Answer 296

Growing demand for domestic, urban, and industrial water use.

Answer 297

Expected 5-inch (12.7 cm) annual rainfall reduction in lower Mississippi Basin.

Answer 298

Less rainfall + higher evapotranspiration → decreased runoff & river flow.

Answer 299

Increased irrigation demand could worsen water shortages.

Answer 300

Carbon is held in the form of carbon dioxide and methane. In recent decades the amount has increased due to emissions from power stations, transport and deforestation. This had contributed to the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change.

Answer 301

Decomposition of dead organic material creates carbon store for hundreds of years. Deforestation and land use change can release carbon very quickly.

Answer 302

Hydrocarbons such as coal, oil and gas are long term stores of carbon. Since the industrial revolution they have been exploited for heat and power. The resulting combustion has pumped huge volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributing to climate change.

Answer 303

Very important carbon store. Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the air and river water discharges carbon carried in solution. Since the industrial revolution more carbon dioxide has been absorbed due to emissions.

Answer 304

The largest store of carbon. Long term store taking millions of years to form.

Answer 305

broken up lithosphere (regolith) and dead organic matter

Answer 306

burial and compaction

Answer 307

bicarbonate

Answer 308

Carbon is a core element in sugars, starches, fats, and proteins, making up about half of the dry mass in living things

Answer 309

Atmosphere, Oceans, Earth’s Crust, and Terrestrial Ecosystems

Answer 310

Approximately 750 PgC (mostly CO2)

Answer 311

Fossil fuel combustion and deforestation

Answer 312

Approximately 38,000 PgC, mostly in deep waters

Answer 313

Dissolved inorganic carbon and carbonates.

Answer 314

Approximately 100,000,000 PgC in sedimentary rocks and an additional 4,000 PgC in fossil fuels.

Answer 315

It removes ~120 PgC/year from the atmosphere, converting CO2 into plant material.

Answer 316

Approximately 60 PgC/year for each process

Answer 317

It releases CO2 as bacteria and fungi break down organic material

Answer 318

Through diffusion, oceans absorb ~92 PgC/year and release ~90 PgC/year.

Answer 319

Approximately 6-8 PgC/year.

Answer 320

~1.5 PgC/year.

Answer 321

Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation

Answer 322

The process by which gases like CO2 trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Answer 323

A system that absorbs more carbon than it releases, such as forests or oceans.

Answer 324

A system that releases more carbon than it absorbs, such as fossil fuel burning.

Answer 325

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO2.

Answer 326

Human-made emissions from sources like industry and vehicles

Answer 327

The breakdown of organic material by microorganisms, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere.

Answer 328

The warming of Earth due to heat-trapping gases like CO2, methane, and water vapor

Answer 329

Forest areas in the northern temperate zone dominated by coniferous trees such as spruce, fir, and pine.

Answer 330

The study of natural processes that recycle nutrients from the environment, to organisms, and back to the environment.

Answer 331

A vertical section of ice removed from glaciers or ice sheets to study past climate patterns.

Answer 332

A statistical compilation of greenhouse gases emitted by a community, state, or country.

Answer 333

An organization that assesses scientific information related to climate change and advises governments.

Answer 334

An international agreement to reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

Answer 335

Radiation emitted from the Earth and atmosphere, often referred to as infrared radiation.

Answer 336

Carbon stored in soil, largely from organic material, which plays a key role in the carbon cycle.

Answer 337

-carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reacts with water vapour to form carbonic acid, this causes slightly acidic rainfall to fall onto the rocks and into the ocean which causes chemical weathering -this chemical weathering releases carbon back into the atmosphere and the rocks storing carbon are also transported into the ocean through run off -carbon dioxide from the atmosphere also diffuses into the ocean -this carbon dioxide is taken into shells as calcium carbonate -the marine organisms die and fall to the sea bed where they compact down to form sedimentary rock- this can then be converted to fossil fuels by heat and pressure and is stored in the lithosphere -the carbon dioxide in the lithosphere is then released on destructive plate boundaries through volcanic eruptions

Answer 338

about 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year

Answer 339

between 100 and 200 million years

Answer 340

4.6 billion years old

Answer 341

evergreens e.g. pine trees

Answer 342

a store in which the release of carbon occurs at a faster rate than it is absorbed

Answer 343

a store in which the absorption of carbon occurs faster than it is released

Answer 344

rapid transfer of carbon compounds over years, decades and centuries

Answer 345

slow transfers, up to millions of years

Answer 346

-respiration -decomposition -combustion -photosynthesis -burial and compaction -carbon sequestration -weathering

Answer 347

-chemical process that happens in cells -glucose is converted into energy that can be used for growth -carbon dioxide is then returned to the air

Answer 348

-when organisms die they are consumed by decomposers -during this process of decomposition, carbon from their bodies are returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide -some organic matter passes into the soil where it may be stored for hundreds of years

Answer 349

-organic matter in the presence of oxygen is converted into energy -the carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere

Answer 350

-where organic matter is buried by sediments and becomes compacted -over millions of years there organic sediments containing carbon may from hydrocarbons such as coal and oil -some of the carbon dissolves releasing carbon dioxide, the rest becomes compacted to form limestone

Answer 351

umbrella term used to describe transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to plants, soil, rocks and oceans

Answer 352

-involves the break down and decay of rocks at or close to the surface -through chemical reactions, the rocks will slowly dissolve with the carbon being held in solution -can then be transported via the water cycle

Answer 353

-carbon sequestration -burial and compaction -chemical weathering

Answer 354

moves 100 to 1000 times more carbon than the slow carbon cycle

Answer 355

the slow carbon cycle

Answer 356

-flow of carbon from atmosphere to biosphere through plants photosynthesising -in the ocean phytoplankton also take in carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis -the carbohydrates the plants produced when the photosynthesised are consumed when animals eat the plants as they do this they release carbon dioxide from respiration and methane gas from digestion -when animals die and decompose by bacteria and fungi which break down the carbohydrates releasing carbon dioxide and methane back to the atmosphere -some of the carbon remains in the soil as humus -fire (combustion) releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere

Answer 357

soil, dead organic matter and humus have decayed and become rich with water which stores massive amounts of carbon

Answer 358

because the soil is so wet there's little oxygen in the soil so plants don't decompose fully

Answer 359

plants can be in the peat for hundreds of years and not rot away which traps massive amounts of carbon

Answer 360

global warming could mean peat bogs absorb more carbon or if decomposer organisms in the soil work faster and return more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Answer 361

-decomposition of leaf litter -root cell respiration and death

Answer 362

-plant respiration -respiration by decomposers

Answer 363

this would release massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and prevent carbon dioxide from entering into the soil as leaf decay

Answer 364

-photosynthesis -respiration -decomposition -combustion

Answer 365

the cryosphere

Answer 366

-warmer air -permafrost melting -dark rock exposed -lower albedo rate -more sunlight absorbed by the earth -warmer earth

Answer 367

-stored carbon dioxide is released (in form of methane) -methane is more potent to absorb atmospheric heat (20 times more potent than carbon dioxide) -this contributes to further global temperature increase -warmer conditions -more plant growth -more carbon dioxide stored by the vegetation

Answer 368

-Vostok ice core, 1998, found 420,000 year old ice that was in an ice core that was 3,623m (this showed 4 climate cycles- 4 ice ages and 4 interglacial) -EPICA core was 800,000 years old and mirrored Vostok data -IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) said that humans are majorly responsible for climate change

Answer 369

-fossil fuel combustion -cement production -land use change: deforestation -land use change: urbanisation -farming practices

Answer 370

5% is anthropogenic and 95% is natural

Answer 371

90% of anthropogenic carbon release comes from combustion of fossil fuels- the remaining 10% comes from land use change, such as deforestation, land drainage and agricultural practices

Answer 372

since the 1960s global concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased dramatically from about 320ppm to just over 400ppm, the highest levels ever recorded

Answer 373

because it's been driven by the rapid industrialisation of developing nations (including china)

Answer 374

the Hawaiian Volcanic Observatory

Answer 375

because it's quite isolated so carbon dioxide values won't be effected by changes in industry (more consistent measurements) and it's part of the USA so has enough money to do it

Answer 376

for every 1000kg of cement produced, 900kg of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere

Answer 377

50% comes from the heating of calcium carbon and 40% from the burning of fuel to power the process

Answer 378

through the use of machinery, tree decomposition and slash & burn which all release CO2

Answer 379

it has caused parts of the amazon to dry out (these absorb less CO2 and are more susceptible to fires) this creates a positive feedback loop

Answer 380

13 million hectares

Answer 381

the decaying of dead wood, litter and below ground organic carbon

Answer 382

-forest soils are moist but without the shade of trees they soon dry out -trees also help maintain the water cycle by returning vapour back to the atmosphere through transpiration

Answer 383

because there's less trees so less burial and compaction so less biomass in soil

Answer 384

over half the worlds population

Answer 385

When soil is ploughed, the soil layers invert with each other (allowing air to mix in). As a result, soil microbial activity dramatically increases, resulting in more soil organic matter being decomposed. As a result, more carbon is lost to the atmosphere.

Answer 386

-producing 1 kilo of beef generates 65 times more CO2 than producing 1 kilo of potatoes -US produces 40.9m tonnes of meat a year -EU produced 44.5m tonnes of meat per year -China produces 78.1m tonnes of meat per year -if we were to eat half the amount of meat we would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farming by 42%

Answer 387

-volcanoes -natural cycles -wildfires -carbon sequestration

Answer 388

-volcanic activity returns to the atmosphere carbon that has been trapped for millions of years in rocks deep in the earths crust -volcanoes also erupt lava, which contains silicates that will slowly weather, this converts carbon dioxide in the air to carbonates in solution- in this way carbon dioxide is absorbed very slowly from the atmosphere

Answer 389

human activities emit between 100 and 300 times more CO2 than volcanoes

Answer 390

The warming effect of CO2 emitted by volcanoes is counterbalanced by the large amount of sulphur dioxide also given out. Conversion of this sulphur dioxide to sulphuric acid which forms fine droplets, increases the reflection of the radiation from the sun back into space, cooling the Earth's lower atmosphere.

Answer 391

-eccentricity cycle -obliquity cycle -precession of the equinoxes

Answer 392

-wildfires can be started naturally -every year they burn 3 to 4 million km^2 of land -wildfires turn carbon sinks to carbon sources

Answer 393

involves capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and putting it into long term storages

Answer 394

-geological sequestration -terrestrial/biological sequestration

Answer 395

CO2 is captured at its source and injected as a liquid deep underground in a variety of stores (depleted oil/gas reservoirs, uneconomic coal seams, underground salt formations or the deep ocean)

Answer 396

due to its sheer size

Answer 397

An advantage of ocean carbon sequestration is that it "sinks" to great depths within weeks or months of being captured at the surface. Once in the deep ocean, it is in a circulatory system measured in thousands of years. This happens quickly but it keeps it for a long time.

Answer 398

this involves the use of plants to capture CO2 from the atmosphere, carbon is then stored in the stems and roots of the plants (as well as in the soil)

Answer 399

-atmosphere -lithosphere -biosphere -pedosphere -cryosphere -hydrosphere

Answer 400

the atmosphere because this is what's causing humans the most problems

Answer 401

-ocean acidification -ocean warming -melting sea ice -ocean salinity -sea level rise

Answer 402

-CO2 diffuses into the ocean through direct chemical exchange which creates carbonic acid, this makes the ocean less alkaline -carbonic acid reacts with carbonate ions in the water to form bicarbonate, this reduces the carbonate ions available which animals like coral and many plankton species need to create their shells -as a result the shells und up being thinner and more fragile

Answer 403

the amount of carbon gained and lost in the natural and manmade workings of the world

Answer 404

-inputs -outputs -balance -deficit -surplus

Answer 405

it's essential for understanding how carbon dioxide emissions are contributing to changes in the Earth's environment in the present day

Answer 406

petagrams (Pg)

Answer 407

-land (fast and slow carbon cycle) -ocean (ocean acidification, ocean warming, melting sea ice, ocean salinity, sea level rise) -atmosphere (tundra, carbon stored in vegetation)

Answer 408

coral bleaching and bad for biomasses

Answer 409

ocean warming and ocean salinity

Answer 410

because it depends on where the tree is planted as if it's planted on concrete then leaves can't decay and it depends on climate also (hot and wet)

Answer 411

-more wildfires leads to increased atmospheric CO2 -farmland replaces trees which means less carbon is stored -more CO2 available in atmosphere as more photosynthesis from plant growth -increased temperatures have led to increased length of growing season so may plants photosynthesise for longer -increased temperatures have caused ice to melt which releases CO2 and methane into the atmosphere -agriculture has become more intensive so more crops means less trees to take in CO2

Answer 412

-lithosphere -hydrosphere -biosphere -atmosphere

Answer 413

-geological cycle -photosynthesis -respiration -decomposition -combustion -oceanic carbon pumps

Answer 414

Carbon moves via weathering, burial, subduction, and volcanic eruptions

Answer 415

Plants absorb CO2 to produce oxygen and carbohydrates

Answer 416

Plants and animals release CO2 back into the atmosphere

Answer 417

Organic matter breaks down, returning carbon to soil/atmosphere

Answer 418

Organic materials burn, releasing CO2 and heat

Answer 419

-vertical mixing: warm surface waters cool, sink, and circulate CO2 -biological pump: marine organisms absorb CO2; decaying matter releases it in deep waters

Answer 420

-biological pump -physical pump

Answer 421

-transfers surface carbon to the seabed via the food web -carbon is stored long-term in the deep ocean -dependent on healthy ecosystems; disturbances can destabilize it, re-emitting carbon back into the atmosphere

Answer 422

-driven by ocean circulation in Polar Regions where colder temperatures enhance CO2 absorption -dense, cold water flows toward the deep ocean, carrying dissolved carbon -this process stores carbon for hundreds of years but is difficult to measure accurately

Answer 423

when these micro-algae die, they contribute to carbon storage in the deep ocean and may form oil deposits over time

Answer 424

-the more acidic seawater is, the better it dissolves calcium carbonate rocks -over time this reaction will allow the ocean to soak up excess CO2 because the more acidic water will dissolve more rock, release more carbonate ions and increase the oceans capacity to absorb CO2

Answer 425

-would decrease the abundance of phytoplankton, which grow better in cool, nutrient rich waters -this could limit the oceans ability to take carbon from the atmosphere through the biological carbon pump and lessen the effectiveness of the oceans as a carbon sink

Answer 426

carbon dioxide is essential for plant and phytoplankton growth- an increase in carbon dioxide could increase their growth by fertilisation and they would take carbon dioxide directly from the water

Answer 427

-when ice melts the highly reflective ice is replaced by more heat absorbent water which amplifies the warming that cause it to melt in the first place -loss of ice bound algae affects marine predators, added to this is the fact that animals like polar bears rely on sea ice to get their main food source

Answer 428

-caused by highest levels or precipitation and higher temperatures -precipitation leads to higher river run offs that eventually reach the sea -higher temperatures cause ice sheets to melt which leads to more freshwater in the oceans

Answer 429

-melting of terrestrial ice -thermal expansion

Answer 430

-high temperatures have led to an increased rate of summer melting as well as a drop in snowfall -this imbalance results in a significant net gain in water entering the oceans from rivers against evaporation from the ocean

Answer 431

when water heats up it expands- warmer oceans have a greater volume so occupy more space and causing sea levels to rise

Answer 432

-causes coastal flooding through sea level rise -increases frequency and intensity of storm surges -causes smog (human form of fog) which can create health problems such as lung cancer

Answer 433

It would make the climate cooler as the North Atlantic Drift brings hot air from the equator which heats up Europes climate. North Western Europe would also be wetter.

Answer 434

Richer coastal cities won't move even under risk of flooding as it's too expensive whereas less developed communities can just relocate and rebuild with a relatively low cost.

Answer 435

-we're fairly confident how levels of CO2 affects direct radiation in the atmosphere and how it will cause warming -there's probably feedback loops that we haven't discovered so we don't know their impact but we know the impact is significant

Answer 436

-water vapour feedback -albedo feedback

Answer 437

because water vapour is the most common greenhouse gas

Answer 438

-release of CO2 -warmer atmosphere -air expands -air holds more water vapour -warmer atmosphere

Answer 439

-warmer atmosphere -ice melts -more water exposed (lower albedo) -water warms, more ice melts -process escalates -warmer atmosphere

Answer 440

-CO2 released -warmer atmosphere -more water vapour -more clouds form -reduced albedo -less heat absorption -atmosphere cools

Answer 441

-warmer atmosphere creates more high clouds -this prevents heat from rising -this traps heat -leads to warmer atmosphere

Answer 442

land carbon cycle

Answer 443

-CO2 emitted -CO2 absorbed by oceans and land (about half of the CO2 emitted) -less CO2 in atmosphere

Answer 444

-warmer atmosphere -more active bacteria and soil respires more -more decomposition and more permafrost melting -more CO2 released -warmer atmosphere

Answer 445

-permafrost and high latitude peatlands -methane hydrates -permafrost methane

Answer 446

-could be a very positive feedback loop on climate change -lots of methane locked in methane hydrates deep in the ocean and in the current climate they're stable but their stability is strongly temperature dependent so there's potential that as the climate warms they could destabilise and release methane into atmosphere -we know from the Paleo climate there have been occasions where methane hydrates have been thought to have released large amounts of CO2 (this could cause abrupt climate change which would be particularly bad as we wouldn't have time to adapt)

Answer 447

-positive feedback (melts=releases CO2) -we know it's bad but we don't know how bad as we don't know how much CO2 it contains/will releasec

Answer 448

-yes -a warming climate may start new feedback loops -alternatively we have a fairly good understanding of todays climate but as you get further along we have less of an understanding

Answer 449

-rainwater absorbs carbon -rainwater becomes acidic -calcium carbonate becomes calcium bicarbonate as rainwater meets rocks -dissolved carbon carried to oceans by rivers -new shell growth or transferred to atmosphere

Answer 450

-they release dimethyl sulphide that promotes the formation of clouds -clouds reflect solar radiation -cools atmosphere However, -less sunshine might lead to a reduction in the amount of phytoplankton thereby reducing this cooling effect

Answer 451

-warmer temperatures -tree roots grow faster and deeper -more growth leads to more leaf litter and therefore more acidic water in the soil -acidic water -increases rate of weathering -less carbon in atmosphere -lower temps -climate regulated less vegetation growth

Answer 452

by sequestrating CO2 from the atmosphere to facilitate weathering there is a subsequent lowering of global temperature

Answer 453

-changes in the hydrological cycle -warmer land and air -warming oceans -melting ice -rising sea levels -ocean acidification -global greening -changes in ocean currents -more extreme weather

Answer 454

-conflict and climate migrants -localised flooding -flooding of coastal regions -damage to marine ecosystems -fisheries failing -loss of biodiversity -change in seasonality -heat stress -habitable regions of pests expands -rise in forest fires -damage to infrastructure -food insecurity -risk to water supplies

Answer 455

because currently about 1 billion people live on marginalised land (it's on the margin of being able to support them) so all these people would have to migrate to somewhere else if the climate changes

Answer 456

-modifying land use including deforestation strategies -transport policies -geoengineering -use of renewable energy -artificial trees -geo carbon capture -stable community (BedZED) -sustainable cities

Answer 457

-Preventing deforestation/encouraging reforestation -Thinking carefully about the location and sustainability of new urban settlements -Reducing the negative impact farming has on the environment -Only buy wood certified by the FSC to guarantee it was sustainably sourced -Selective logging e.g. in Malaysia they have the Selective Management System which includes replanting -In 2005, Brazil pledged to reduce logging by 80%- Infringements are punished by fines or prison -Areas of the Amazon are nature reserves where agriculture and logging is prohibited

Answer 458

-Can improve carbon stores by ensuring that carbon inputs are greater than carbon losses. -Grasslands: offer global greenhouse gas mitigation potential of 810 million tonnes of CO2 which would be sequestered in soil. -Croplands: can increase soil organic carbon. - Mulching (the process of covering the topsoil with plant material such as leaves, grass, twigs, crop residues, straw etc) prevents carbon losses from pedeosphere. - Reducing tillage prevents break-up of soil aggregates that protect carbon. -Forested lands and tree crops (+reforesting): Able to reduce C02 emissions to the atmosphere. Increases biomass density and thus increasing carbon density. Acts as store both above and below ground. If trees in croplands are used as renewable source of fuel they can reduce CO2 emissions.

Answer 459

-Forests provide: regulation to climate and rainfall at regional and local scales and critical stability to the Earth’s climate via carbon storage -Cutting and burning trees adds as much greenhouse gas to the atmosphere as all the cars and trucks in the world combined -Over 250 million rural poor who rely on forests and savannah areas for subsistence and income -Loss of habitat via deforestation may force animals into populated areas where they could transmit previously unknown diseases (thought to be almost 2 million undiscovered viruses and birds in mammals and birds)

Answer 460

Economies and individuals reliant on timbre production may suffer from restrictions on exportation and logging – in 2023, China exported the most wood (approx. 31 billion)

Answer 461

-design and technology: increased efficiency of engine, increased use of biofuels, improve aerodynamics, reduced weight of aircraft and engines, carbon capture within the engines, maximizing the number of seats per aircraft -movement management: towing aircraft whilst on the ground, avoiding circling, stacking, queuing, adopting fuel efficient routes -flight management: 100% occupancy of seats, cruising at lower speed, matching an aircraft to the routes

Answer 462

* Greenhouse gas emission * Co2 emissions * Non co2 effects * Emissions at high altitudes

Answer 463

-Competition and market access: Ensuring fair competition, Liberalization and deregulation, International air transport rules -Security and safety: Air space security, Cyber security, Safety regulations

Answer 464

-Environmental concerns and sustainability: Fuel consumption and emissions, Sustainable aviation fuels, Noise pollution -Economic regulations and social impacts: Air connectivity and economic development, Social impacts of aviation, Labor issue -Geopolitical and technological impacts: Regional conflicts and sanctions, Technological advancements, Infrastructure development

Answer 465

the large scale manipulation of an environmental process that affects the earth's climate in an attempt to slow down the effects of global warming

Answer 466

solar geoengineering and carbon geoengineering

Answer 467

solar radiation management/albedo modification, it blocks incoming solar radiation and sends it back to space

Answer 468

-space mirrors -stratospheric aerosol injections -cloud brightening

Answer 469

launching giant mirrors into orbit to reflect sunlight

Answer 470

sulfate molecules added into the stratosphere to reflect incoming light

Answer 471

clouds sprayed with sea water, as the seawater evaporates it forms airborne crystals of salt which then brighten the clouds to reflect more sunlight

Answer 472

removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stratosphere

Answer 473

-reforestation and afforestation -carbon sequestration -iron seeding

Answer 474

iron is scattered across the ocean to stimulate the growth of carbon absorbing phytoplankton

Answer 475

-Impacts photosynthesis: by blocking incoming solar radiation it may reduce the light intensity & rate of photosynthesis so less carbon is absorbed this decreases the amount of carbon taken into the biosphere. -Carbon dioxide dissolved in the oceans is transferred to the atmosphere more quickly when the clouds are sprayed with seawater. And forms carbonic acid when dissolved in rainwater.

Answer 476

-Iron seeding: more phytoplankton can absorb more carbon in the ocean so more carbon is absorbed into the hydrosphere this increases the carbon store in the ocean -Reforestation/afforestation: increases the size of / creates a carbon sink so more carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere.

Answer 477

- Aims to actively reverse climate change: Technology could offer a true reversal - as methods like emissions reduction and forest conservation serve as forms of mitigation, but they do not actively reverse damage done by human behavior - Results could be rapid: Certain methods, such as seeding the ocean with iron particles could lower average temperatures on the planet faster than could be achieved by changing human behaviors - It could create jobs: Geoengineering research and initiatives create jobs for scientists, engineers and other workers - Some methods are affordable - Aware of how it works - bid volcanic eruptions cool the planet this way

Answer 478

- Some methods are expensive: Huge investment - for just a fraction of the outlay of a space mirror system, the development of clean renewable energy can be done; the same amount of money can be spent on solving the energy crisis once rather than trying to mitigate the effects - Unethical and disturbing: Geoengineering makes wasteful, polluting, resource-depleting ways on earth seem perfectly acceptable (opinion of environmentalists) - Politically impossible? : Earth’s 200-plus nations have found it difficult to agree on modest cuts to CO2 emissions so how could they agree on geo engineering?: Different schemes are bound to affect different countries and continents to different extents; for example, cloud seeding could lead to benefits for one country, but floods or droughts elsewhere

Answer 479

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as solar, wind, and water.

Answer 480

It uses solar panels or thermal systems to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity or heat.

Answer 481

It involves wind turbines converting wind's kinetic energy into mechanical energy to generate electricity.

Answer 482

By using flowing water to spin turbines, which then convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Answer 483

Energy derived from heat beneath the Earth’s surface, used for electricity or direct heating.

Answer 484

Energy from burning or converting organic material like wood or crop waste into fuel.

Answer 485

They harness the movement of ocean tides and waves to generate electricity.

Answer 486

It emits little to no greenhouse gases and has a smaller environmental footprint.

Answer 487

By reducing CO2 emissions, aiding carbon absorption, and supporting carbon sequestration.

Answer 488

The CO2 released when burned is offset by the CO2 absorbed during plant growth.

Answer 489

Environmentally friendly, unlimited supply, job creation, low running costs, healthier for people.

Answer 490

Inconsistent supply, high initial costs, large land use, limited regional viability, material impacts.

Answer 491

Klaus Lackner, Columbia University, has come up with a technique that he thinks could solve the problem. Lackner has designed an artificial tree that passively removes carbon dioxide from the air using “leaves” that are 1,000 times more efficient than true leaves that use photosynthesis. The leaves are coated in a resin that contains sodium carbonate, which pulls carbon dioxide out of the air and stores it as a bicarbonate on the leaf. To remove the carbon dioxide, the leaves are rinsed in water vapour and can dry naturally in the wind, soaking up more carbon dioxide. Artificial trees stand passively in the wind, removing CO2 from the air faster and at higher levels than natural trees achieve by photosynthesis ad the product is either to be used industrially or to be sequestered. Collects about a ton of carbon per day from the air.

Answer 492

It is expensive to make and install artificial trees. The cost of the technology is dropping, but not to a point where it’s affordable to install “forests” of these systems

Answer 493

-It can remove 1000 times more carbon than real trees, making it more effective. -The more of the “trees” produced the more the cost will go down.

Answer 494

- capturing CO₂ emissions from industrial processes - CO₂ is compressed and transported via pipelines - then injected into rock formations deep underground for permanent storage - can also mean removal of CO₂ directly or indirectly from the atmosphere

Answer 495

Carbon capture refers to technologies that trap carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes before they enter the atmosphere

Answer 496

-Stored underground in geological formations (Carbon Capture and Storage - CCS). -Used in industrial applications or enhanced oil recovery (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage - CCUS). -Extracted from the air through Direct Air Capture (DAC), which removes CO₂ from ambient air. from ambient

Answer 497

-Carbon capture artificially removes CO₂ from the fast carbon cycle, preventing it from accumulating and cycling in the atmosphere and Reduces the amount in it. -It slows down human-caused climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. -In cases where CO₂ is reused (e.g., in industrial applications), it may re-enter the cycle, but in a controlled way. -Natural carbon sinks (e.g., forests and oceans) still play a crucial role, but carbon capture supplements them. -Strong compresses CO₂ Underground

Answer 498

-Reduces CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel industries. -Can be retrofitted to existing infrastructure. -Supports hard-to-decarbonize sectors (e.g., cement, steel). -CCS + bioenergy (BECCS) can be "carbon negative" by removing more CO₂ than emitted

Answer 499

-Expensive and energy-intensive. -Uncertainty about long-term storage security (risk of leaks). - Can prolong fossil fuel reliance instead of promoting renewables. -Requires significant infrastructure and policy support.

Answer 500

-BedZED, in Sutton, south London, has gone down in history as the UK’s first large-scale, mixed-use sustainable community. - It has been an inspiration for low-carbon, environmentally-friendly housing developments around the world.

Answer 501

- 27% reduction in electricity consumption and 36% reduction in gas consumption between 2012 and 2015. - An on-site car club, ample secure cycle parking, excellent public transport links and 0.6 car parking spaces per home. - Major energy savings provided by high levels of insulation, airtightness and passive solar heating design. Electricity savings provided by solar photovoltaic arrays integrated into the buildings. - Concrete floor and ceiling slabs and the concrete blocks in the exterior walls, along with its structural steel frame, give BedZED most of its thermal mass. This helps to maintain temperatures at a comfortable level throughout the year.

Answer 502

- BedZED, a zero-carbon community, alters the carbon cycle by significantly reducing carbon emissions through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources, aiming to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint. -For example, BedZED promotes sustainable transportation options, such as electric vehicles, and integrates charging infrastructure to further reduce carbon emissions from transportation. - BedZED creates green spaces and roof gardens to help absorb CO2 and promote biodiversity.

Answer 503

-BEDZED was designed to reduce energy use significantly. The homes are built with high insulation standards, solar panels, and a combined heat and power (CHP) system that provides low-carbon heating and electricity. This reduces residents’ carbon footprints and lowers overall energy consumption. - BEDZED promotes sustainable transport options. The site has fewer car parking spaces than traditional developments, encouraging walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation. The development also supports car-sharing initiatives. - The development uses sustainable materials, including recycled bricks, wood, and natural insulation materials. The buildings are designed to be energy-efficient, with features such as south-facing windows to maximize solar gain and thick insulation to minimize heat loss

Answer 504

- While BEDZED was pioneering in its design, some of the sustainable technologies, such as the CHP system and the green roof designs, have faced challenges with maintenance and performance over time. The expected energy savings haven't always been fully realized in practice. - Despite its energy-efficient design, there have been some issues related to the actual energy performance of the buildings. For example, residents sometimes report that the homes can feel cold during winter, and energy savings have varied, depending on individual usage and maintenance.

3.1.1 Water and Carbon Cycles Flashcards

(573 cards)