Carbon And Water Cycles Flashcards
Within the boundaries of systems we find three properties
Elements- substances that make up the system
Attributes- characteristics of the elements perceived and measured
Relationships- how elements and attributes work together
Types of system
Close system- transfers of energy into and beyond system boundary but not matter
Open system- where matter and energy are transferred across the boundary
Isolated systems- no interactions with anything our side of the system, no inputs and outputs
Positive feedback loop
Seven cents in which before me an action causes a knock on affect/secondary affect. Becomes changed and often irreversible
E.g. Release of more water vapour
Negative feedback loop
A circumstance and which performing an action causes fewer performances of an action
Atmospheric water
Water found in the atmosphere; mainly water vapour with some liquid water and ice crystals. Water vapour found in visible masses (clouds)
In three states: gas (water vapour) being most
Important as it absorbs, reflects and scatters radiation
Small increase in water vapour- positive feedback loop
Cryospheric water
Water locked up on the Earth surface as ice
Permafrost Alpine glaciers Sea ice Ice caps Ice sheets
Terrestrial water
Consists of surface water (rivers, lakes, wetlands) groundwater soil water biological water (all water in biomass)
Oceanic water
Makes up 97% of water cycle
Salt dissolved in water stops freezing below 0
PH 8.5- increasing due to CO2 concentration
Factors affecting water flow and transfer
Evaporation (factors affecting the rate of reaction: insolation, surface area, temperature, humidity) Condensation Precipitation Sublimation Desublimation
Changes in the magnitude of water cycles over time
Daily
Dew and condensation in the morning
More evaporation during day
Weather generally
Seasonally
More water in monsoon seasons
Ice coverage dependent on season
Long periods of time
Warm and cold periods (holocene, Pleistocene, ice age)- human activity and milankotvitch
This takes place on local, micro and global scales
What is a drainage basin
Area of land drained by a river and it’s tributaries, this includes water found below the water table as well as soil water and surface flow
- Drainage basins separated by highlands called watershed
- Drainage basins are cascading systems- all linked so input of one is output of another
What is a river regime?
The variability in its discharge throughout the course of the year in response to precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration and drainage basin characteristics- displayed on a hydrograph
What is the water balance
Balance between inputs (precipitation) and outputs (run off)
Factors affecting water flow in drainage basin
Vegetation and land use Soil type and depth Rainfall Shape of the land Bedrock Climate Conditions in drainage basin (ground frozen/baked) Size and shape of river
Recharge season
When precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration
