Carbon and Water Flashcards
Water cycle
The circulation of water between different global environments.
Carbon cycle
The circulation of carbon between different global environments
Stores
A part of a cycle where energy and/or matter is held for a time
Flows
A link between stores that involves movement of mass or energy
Positive feedback loops
Where an effect is multiplied as a result of secondary effects.
Negative feedback loops
Where an effect is reduced towards equilibrium due to secondary effects.
Dynamic equilibrium
A balance between inputs and outputs into a system.
Inputs
The addition of matter/energy into a system.
Outputs
The removal of energy/matter from a system.
Lithosphere
The crust and the uppermost layer making up the rigid outer layer of the Earth.
Hydrosphere
A discontinuous layer of water at or near the Earths surface including all liquid and frozen surface, groundwater and atmospheric water.
Cryosphere
The place where water is in its solid form frozen into snow or ice.
Biosphere
The global ecosystem composed of living organisms and the abiotic factors from which they derive energy and nutrients.
Residence time
The varying amount of time that energy/matter stays within a store.
Evaporation
The process by which water changes into gas.
