Carbon and Water cycles Flashcards
what are systems?
systems are a set of things working together as part of a mechanism or an interconnecting network: a complex whole
what are systems composed of?
- inputs
- outputs
- stores
- flows
- boundaries
what is an input in a system?
where matter or energy is added to the system
what is an output of a system?
where matter or energy leaves the system
what are stores of a system?
where matter or energy builds up in the system
what are flows of a system?
where matter or energy moves in the system
what are boundaries of a system?
limits to the system (e.g. watershed)
what are open systems?
a system that freely exchanges energy and matter with its surroundings
what are closed systems?
a system that exchanges only energy with its surroundings, NOT MATTER
what is an isolated system?
a system that does NOT exchange energy or matter with its surroundings
what is a dynamic equilibrium?
a state of balance within a system
when inputs equal outputs despite changing conditions.
what is positive feedback?
occurs when a chain of events amplifies the impacts of the original event.
what is negative feeback?
refers to a chain of events that nullifies the impacts of the original event, leading to dynamic equilibrium.
what type of systems are the carbon and water cycles on a local scale?
both open systems
what types of systems are the carbon and water cycles on a global scale?
both closed systems
what is a example of a local scale water cycle system?
local drainage basin
what type of water system is a local drainage basin?
an open system
water may be lost as an output through evapotranspiration and runoff, but more water may be gained as an input through precipitation.
what is the input of a local drainage basin system?
precipitation
what are the outputs of a local drainage basin?
evapotranspiration - the combined return of water to the atmosphere from evaporation and transpiration (plants)
streamflow - water that flows through streams and into the ocean or as tributes to other rivers
what are the stores of a local drainage basin?
-ground water - water stored in pore spaces of rocks
-soil waters
-rivers
-interception - water stored temporarily by by trees etc, before it reaches the ground
-surface
what are the flows of a local drainage basin?
-infiltration - water moving from above ground into the soil
-peculation - water moves from the ground or soil into porous rocks or rock fractures
-throughflow - flow of water through soil
-surface runoff
-groundwater flow - flow of water through the rocks
-stemflow - low of water that has been intercepted by plants or trees, down a stem, leaf, branch or other part of a plant
what are the earths 4 subsystems?
atmosphere
lithosphere
hydrosphere
biosphere
what does changing phase mean?
when a substance changes from one state to another
what are the earths 4 major stores of water
- atmospheric water
- cryospheric water
- oceanic water
- terrestrial water