4.a. The two cycles are linked and interdependent. Flashcards
Outline farming’s influence on the water cycle.
Irrigation.
Water is taken from river catchments and aquifers.
Irrigation has the biggest impact in arid and semi-arid regions (already have a water supply issue).
Colorado basin: Lake Mead and Lake Powell, both water levels in these lakes as significantly dropped since human irrigation increased in the area.
Outline industry’s influence on the water cycle.
Huge amounts are used to generate energy and heavy machinery.
E.g. water used to cool nuclear reactor, or turn generators.
Outline deforestation’s influence on the water cycle.
Reduces evapotranspiration.
Increase surface run-off.
Decreases local and regional stores of water.
Increases flood risk, e.g. Madeira River (2014), reached record levels of 24.96 metres.
Outline farming’s influence on the carbon cycle.
Ploughing of land exposes decaying organic material.
This means carbon is released into the atmosphere and so is not stored in the soil.
Outline industry’s influence on the carbon cycle.
Combustion of fossil fuels.
Depletes the carbon store ins sedimentary rock.
Increases the amount of carbon stored in the atmosphere.
China: rapid increase in industry: rapid industrialisation over the last 30 years. China burns primarily coal.
Industry in India and China burns 8 billion tonnes of fossil fuels, that are then released to the atmosphere.
Outline deforestation’s influence on the carbon cycle.
Significant reduction of stored carbon.
Reduction in carbon stored in soil.
Increased rate of leaching (water washing minerals out of the soil).
Combustion of deforested materials increases atmospheric CO2.
Outline farming’s influence on the both carbon and water cycles.
Increases run off.
Amazon rainforest, deforestation for farming leads to an increase in runoff, as soils do not absorb as much water (low saturation).
This means that precipitation can wash away vital minerals for the carbon cycle (trees).
Outline industry’s influence on the both carbon and water cycles.
Alters the climate, changing local and regional rainfall.
This in turn alters the stores of water.
If in a heavily industrialised place, this may face challenges to gather water to aid the industrial process.
Outline deforestation’s influence on the both carbon and water cycles.
Increased run off creates increased leaching.
Alters the climate, changing local and regional rainfall, in turn altering the stores of water.
Reduced photosynthesis, as cutting of vegetation means plants cannot absorb the high levels of CO2.
Outline how evaporation is impacted by long-term climate change?
(Impact of long-term climate change on the water cycle)
Increased evaporation, which leads to increased water vapour in the atmosphere.
Water vapour is a greenhouse gas, thus leading to a further increase in temperature (this is positive feedback).
Outline how precipitation is impacted by long-term climate change?
(Impact of long-term climate change on the water cycle)
Increased precipitation, which leads to an increase in surface run-off and the likelihood of floods.
Outline how water vapour is impacted by long-term climate change?
(Impact of long-term climate change on the water cycle)
Increased water vapour in the atmosphere leads to more latent heat being released.
This brings more energy, meaning there is a greater likelihood of storms and extreme weather.
Outline how ice is impacted by long-term climate change?
(Impact of long-term climate change on the water cycle)
Ice is melting.
This shrinks the cryosphere and grows the ocean and eustatic sea level change occurs.
Outline how precipitation and decomposition are impacted by long-term climate change?
(Impact of long-term climate change on the carbon cycle)
Increased precipitation and higher temperatures lead to an increased rate of decomposition.
This means higher fluxes of carbon from biosphere and soils to the atmosphere.
Outline how aridity is impacted by long-term climate change?
(Impact of long-term climate change on the carbon cycle)
Increased aridity in some places, this may replace some forests with grasslands.
