artic tundra - factors affecting

Question 1

physical factor affecting carbon temperature (Stores)

Answer 1

Stores: due to the low temps - limited plant growth so carbon store is low

Question 2

physical factors affecting carbon - temperature (flows)

Answer 2

• photosynthesis is low as growing season only 3 months

Some compensation in summer with the long hours of daylight

Low temps - slows decomposition and respiration - less co2 in atmosphere

Question 3

physical factors affecting carbon cycle - relief

Answer 3

Composition of the rocks exert little influence on the water and carbon cycle

Underlaying by igneous rocks that has little carbon storage

Question 4

physical factors affecting the water cycle - temperature **stores **

Answer 4

• Water is stored as ground ice /permafrost
• Respiration unable to occur as waterlogged from seasonal pools

Question 5

physical factors affecting the water cycle - temperature flows

Answer 5

Summer - active layer thaws allows liquids to flow on surface

Winter - sub 0 temp prevents evapotranspiration
Drainage is poor water unable to infiltrate the soil due to permafrost depth

Question 6

Physical factors affecting the water cycle: relief/ geology

Answer 6

Ancient rock underlying the permafrost has been reduced to an undulating plain

Stores:Minimal relief → causes water logging during summer months

Question 7

Physical factors affecting the carbon cycle: rock permeability

Answer 7

Impermeability of the permafrost and rock permeability the mineral composition of the rocks have little influence on the cycles

Question 8

Physical factors affecting the water cycle: rock permeability

Answer 8

Permeability is low as owing to the depth of the permafrost and the crystalline rocks that dominate the geology

Question 9

Oil and gas production: History

Answer 9

Oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay in 1968

Production in the north slope had major challenges but still went ahead
→ massive pipelines,gravel quarries, power lines created

By 1990s accounted for 25% of US oil but has lessened recently

Question 10

Oil and gas production: Impact - water

Answer 10

Melting of permafrost - ^ run off ^ flood risk

Summer - more extensive wetland stores /^ evaporation

Drainage networks disrupted by works

Water is abstracted for industrial use → reduces run off

Question 11

Oil and gas production: Impact
- carbon

Answer 11

Permafrost is melting due to the increase in temp → releases abundance co2 to atmsph
(7-40 mil tonnes a year)

Gas flares and oil spills -degreades veget. Decreasing photosynthesis and co2 storing

Regeneration of this vegt would take years

Question 12

Management strategy: Insulated ice and gravel pads

Answer 12

Roads and other infrastructural features constructed on ice and gravel pads - prevent permafrost melting

Question 13

Management strategy: Buildings and pipelines elevated on piles

Answer 13

Constructing buildings, oil/gas pipelines and other infrastructure on piles allows cold air to circulate beneath structures

Prevents heat from melting permafrost

Question 14

Management strategy: Drilling laterally beyond drilling platforms

Answer 14

Drilling techniques will allow oil and gas to be accessed → with few drilling rigs the impact on vegetation and permafrost is reduced as less construction needed

Question 15

Management strategy: Refrigerated supports

Answer 15

Are used on the trans-alaskan pipeline to stabilise the temperature of the permafrost and conserve it beneath buildings