Changes in The Carbon & Water cycle? Flashcards
What is dynamic equilibrium?
A system with continuously changing (dynamic) inputs, flows, outputs and stores that fluctuates from year to year but, in the long term retains stability (equilibrium)
what are 3 ways urbanisation impacts the Water cycle?
More impermeable surfaces reduces infiltration
drainage systems deliver water to rivers more quickly which increases flood risk
Development on floodplains reduces water storage capacity leading to increased river flow and flooding
what are 3 ways urbanisation impacts the Carbon cycle?
Urban areas reduce the amount of surface vegetation
Increased CO2 emissions from energy consumption in urban areas & increased amount of transport and industry infrastructure
Increased CO2 from cement manufacturing
what are 2 ways Farming impacts the Water cycle?
Ploughing increases soil moisture loss and can lead to increased run-off and soil erosion
Interception, evaporation and transpiration are all lower in agroecosystems than in forest and grassland ecosystems
what are 2 ways Farming impacts the Carbon cycle?
Livestock release methane
Clearance of forest for farming reduces above and below-ground carbon stores
what are 2 ways in which Forestry impacts the Carbon cycle?
Changing land use to forest increases carbon stores
Forest trees extract CO2 from the atmosphere and sequester it for hundreds of years
what are 2 ways in which Forestry impacts the Water cycle?
Plantations of natural forest increase interception of rainfall
Lag times are long, peak flow low and total
discharge low in plantation areas
What is Water extraction?
taking water from surface and groundwater stores to
meet public, industrial and agricultural demand
What are 3 impacts of over extraction of water on the water cycle?
Rivers drying up
Damage to wetland ecosystems
Sinking water tables (if extraction exceeds recharge)
3 characteristic of River Kennet?
The river drainage basin is mainly found on chalk, which is highly permeable
Therefore groundwater is essential for the river’s flow
The chalk naturally filters the water, providing very clear, highly oxygenated and fast flowing water – supporting a diverse habitat
what is the water table?
The border between saturated and dry rock.
fluctuates according to the season and amount of water abstraction
Explain what Artesian Basins are
When sedimentary rocks form a basin shape or ‘syncline’
An aquifer forms that is trapped between impermeable layers
This means the water is stored under pressure.
This allows for water to rise to the surface through a well or borehole under its own pressure. This is known
as an artesian aquifer.
what are 3 impacts of fossil fuel combustion on The Carbon Cycle?
Fossil fuels combustion releases 10 billion tones of CO2 per
year
This increases concentration of CO2 by around 1 ppm (part
per million)
Today, CO2 levels are the highest for at least 800,000years at around 400ppm (from 280ppm in 1750).
What is carbon sequestration?
process of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere and held in solid or liquid form
what is the technology used to sequester carbon called?
carbon capture and storage (CCS)
