enviromental cycles Flashcards
The water cycle
the cycling of water through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, driven by solar energy.
Transpiration
Water is absorbed by plants from the soil through their roots, the water travels up the stem of the plant to the leaves, the water is released into the atmosphere through stomata
condensation
Cooling of water vapour (gas) in atmosphere, water vapour condenses into water droplets (liquid), forming clouds
precipitation
water drops caused by condensation fall to earth, can fall as rain, snow or hail.
surface run off
the movement of water over the land surface, run off ends in streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. can transport sediment, nutrient and pollutants to other areas.
infiltration
precipitation that falls onto land can soak into the soil refilling ground water sources
ground water flow
water that infiltrates into the soil becomes ground water which slowly moves through underground aquifers
aquifers
an underground layer of rocks, gravel, sand that contains water
evaporation
the sun heats bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and rivers, causes water to change from liquid to water vapour and rise into the atmosphere
freezing
converts water from the liquid state to the solid state, acts as water storage
melting
converts snow and ice back into liquid water, after melting snow and ice refills lakes, rivers and oceans
sublimation
transforms a solid straight into a gas
deposition
transforms water vapour into solid, skips the liquid phase, forms ice, snow and glaciers
percolation
the movement through water and solid rock
the carbon cycle
transfers carbon through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere
volcanic eruptions
release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
photosynthesis
Plant cells absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide and water and convert them into oxygen, water and glucose (energy)
Works with cellular respiration to act as carbon transfer between organisms
Carbon Sequestration
On land, plants take in carbon dioxide to use in photosynthesis and store within their tissues In the ocean, phytoplankton and other marine organisms take in carbon through photosynthesis. Oceans also dissolve carbon dioxide. CO2 combines with the water and forms calcium formation of calcium carbonate shells
Cellular Respiration
Animals eat the plants and take in O2 to power cellular respiration and then release CO2 into the atmosphere. Works with photosynthesis to act as carbon transfer between organisms
Decomposition
When organisms die, their organic matter becomes available for decomposition by decomposers. Decomposers break down complex organic molecules (like glucose) into simpler compounds (such as CO2)
Fossilisation and Unavailable Carbon
Involves the burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Removes carbon from the cycle as it is transformed into fossil fuels
Once fossil fuels are formed, they remain underground until extracted
Limestone and Weathering
Limestone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
Calcium carbonate reacts with acids found in rainwater and soil
Produces CO2 which is released into the atmosphere
combustion of fossil fuels
Refers to the burning of oil, natural gas, and coal to generate energy.
Releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
Contributes to global warming and environmental pollution.
Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources.
deforestation
permanent removal of trees from a forest for human use.
