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geography carbon > EQ1 6.3 BALANCED CARBON CYCLE > Flashcards

EQ1 6.3 BALANCED CARBON CYCLE Flashcards

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1
Q

what does the natural greenhouse effect do

A

The Natural Greenhouse Effect keeps the earth at the optimum temperature to support life

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2
Q

what are the impacts of human activity

A

a change in temperature and precipitation

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3
Q

what is a greenhouse gas

A

Greenhouse gases are gases that lead to the greenhouse effect.

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4
Q

give 2 examples of greenhouse gases

A

These gases include methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

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5
Q

how are greenhouse gases emitted

A

These greenhouse gasses are naturally emitted through respiration and out-gassing.

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6
Q

what takes place in the natural greenhouse effect

A

Solar radiation enters the earth’s atmosphere it passes through the greenhouse gases layer.
This solar radiation is mostly absorbed by the earth’s surface whilst some is reflected.
Some of this reflected radiation will pass back into space.
The greenhouse gas layer acts as a blanket, which stops the majority of this reflected radiation leaving the earth’s atmosphere again.
This allows the Earth to be at a high enough temperature to support life.

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7
Q

how does human activity cause there to be an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

A

E.g. the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles.

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8
Q

what do greenhouse gases produced by human do to the natural blanket layer

A

These greenhouse gases add to the natural ‘blanket’ layer in the atmosphere.
This results in a larger amount of the reflected radiation being retained in the earth’s atmosphere than normal, leading to warmer temperatures.

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9
Q

what are the impacts of the greenhouse gas effect

A

The greenhouse effect has impacts on the distribution of temperature and precipitation throughout the world.

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10
Q

explain the temperature distribution

A

Different locations on the Earth receive differing levels of solar energy.
The angle of the sun’s rays result in the Equator receiving the most concentrated radiation, whilst at the Poles the same radiation is dispersed over a greater distance.

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11
Q

explain the albedo effect

A

The colour of the surface of the earth (how light or dark it is) impacts on how much radiation is absorbed.
This is called the albedo effect.
The white snow of glaciers and ice caps reflects the majority of heat whilst relatively dark oceans and forests absorb heat.
This heat is then redistributed via air circulation and ocean currents.

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12
Q

precipitation distribution

A

The heating of the Earth’s surface leads to warm air rising, cooling, and condensing to form clouds.
The intense solar radiation at the Equator leads to warm air rising, causing high levels of rainfall all year.
At 30oN and 30oS, the air cools and sinks again resulting in high pressure where rainfall is rare.
At 60oN and 60oS, different air masses meet resulting in frontal rainfall.
The Poles are cold, resulting in air sinking, causing little rainfall.

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13
Q

what does the heating of the earths surface lead to

A

The heating of the Earth’s surface leads to warm air rising, cooling, and condensing to form clouds.

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14
Q

what happens at the equator

A

The intense solar radiation at the Equator leads to warm air rising, causing high levels of rainfall all year.

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15
Q

what happens in terms of rainfall at At 30oN and 30oS

A

At 30oN and 30oS, the air cools and sinks again resulting in high pressure where rainfall is rare.

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16
Q

what happens in terms of rainfall at 60oN and 60oS

A

At 60oN and 60oS, different air masses meet resulting in frontal rainfall.

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17
Q

what happens in terms of rainfall at the poles

A

The Poles are cold, resulting in air sinking, causing little rainfall.

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18
Q

how do plants regulate the atmosphere

A

Plants both in the ocean and on land are extremely important at regulating atmospheric carbon levels.

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19
Q

how much carbon does a marine phytoplankton sequester a year

A

Marine phytoplankton sequesters around 5-15Gt of carbon a year.

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20
Q

how much carbon does a terrestrial primary producer sequester a year

A

Terrestrial primary producers sequester around 100-120Gt of carbon a year.

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21
Q

how much carbon does a tropical rainforest sequester a year

A

Tropical rainforests can sequester 2200g of Carbon per m2 a year. This is significantly larger than open oceans.

22
Q

what is happening to arctic ice

A

arctic sea ice melt is increasing

23
Q

what is happening as a result of melting arctic sea ice

A

Arctic sea ice melt is increasing, leading to greater areas of oceans being exposed to sunlight for longer, causing algal bloom. Algae sequesters CO2 but alters marine ecosystems.

24
Q

what does algae do

A

Algae sequesters CO2 but alters marine ecosystems.

25
Q

what does the amount of carbon stored in the soil depend on

A

The size of the store in different biomes
The total input (the amount of plant litter and animal waste)
The total output (the amount of decomposition, erosion and uptake by plant growth).

26
Q

why is stored carbon important to soil health

A

Stored carbon is important for soil health. Healthy soil will be dark in colour, contain worms and organisms and have good infiltration rates

27
Q

how does cooler weather have an impact on atmospheric carbon levels

A

The cooler weather and reduced hours of sunlight means that there is less photosynthesis occurring, so less CO2 is being taken up by the plants.

28
Q

what is the difference in global atmospheric carbon between seasons

A

The difference in global atmospheric carbon is therefore higher in the winter than summer.

29
Q

what does climate change result in

A

Climate change could mean that winters become shorter. If this is the case less CO2 will be released.

30
Q

what are fossil fuels

A

Fossil fuels are the term given to oil, coal and natural gas. All can be used as independent fuel sources or to generate electricity.

31
Q

when is oil combusted

A

Oil in the form of petrol is combusted (burned) in cars.

32
Q

when is natural gas combusted

A

Natural gas can be used to heat our stoves when cooking.

33
Q

what do all types of fossil fuel combustion release as a by-product.

A

co2

34
Q

the carbon cycle is said to be in …

A

equilibrium (balance) between its stores and sinks.

35
Q

what has happened to the combustion of fossil fuels since industrialisation

A

Since Industrialisation (1800’s in the UK but later in Emerging and Developing countries) the combustion of fossil fuels has increased.

36
Q

what has happened as a result of industialisation

A

As a result, the concentration of atmospheric CO2 has also increased. This has been linked to increases in global temperatures due to enhancing the Greenhouse Effect.

37
Q

what is the global impact of higher levels of atmospheric CO2

A

Globally, higher levels of atmospheric CO2 increase global temperatures

38
Q

impact on climate for Eastern and Northern Europe

A

Eastern and Northern Europe are expected to see warmer winters, Northern Europe is expected to see an increase in precipitation

39
Q

impact on climate for Southern Europe

A

Southern Europe is projected to see warmer summers and Southern Europe is projected to see less precipitation
This will decrease water availability and increase the likelihood of drought and forest fires in Southern Europe.

40
Q

what will happen as a result of the changes in temperature and precipitation

A

it is likely that extreme weather events will increase.

41
Q

an example of how temperature and precipitation change will cause extreme weather hazards

A

E.g. the likelihood that sea surface temperature will reach 27oC for 3 consecutive weeks (a prerequisite for Tropical Storms) will increase and the area where this is possible will increase.
Therefore, the areas hit by tropical storms will increase as will their intensity.

42
Q

what is the impact on the arctic

A

Whilst warming is noted globally, the Arctic is warming at twice the rate. This is known as Arctic amplification.

43
Q

explain the snow and ice changes

A

Sea ice melts and snow cover is reduced with increasing temperatures

44
Q

how does reduced snow cover impact the albedo effect

A

This reduces the albedo effect, allowing more solar radiation to be absorbed by the earth and resulting in an even greater increase in temperature.

45
Q

how has the change in habitat effected the ecosystem

A

The change in habitat is devastating for the ecosystem dependent on it.
E.g. The native Arctic Fox now must compete for food and territory with the red fox (from Alaska), which has migrated North into now habitable land.

46
Q

what is the effect on permafrost

A

Warmer temperatures in the Arctic cause more permafrost to thaw, which releases the stored CO2 and CH4 (Methane).

47
Q

how does thawing of permafrost effect the greenhouse effect

A

This leads to more greenhouse gases, impacting the greenhouse effect, rising global temperatures and causing more permafrost to thaw.

48
Q

what have studies shown a bout new vegetation due to permafrost thawing

A

Some studies now show that the carbon may remain in new vegetation that is able to grow now the permafrost has thawed. This new plant growth may allow carbon to be stored via photosynthesis.

49
Q

how will global warming impact the hydrological cycle

A

Precipitation rates and the effects of glacial melt are expected to change with global warming. This will result in changes to river discharges and flooding.

50
Q

how will precipitation be effected by global warming

A

If precipitation falls as rain and not snow in winter, winter floods can be expected.
Summer droughts and forest fires will be increasingly common.

51
Q

how will glacial meltwater be effected by global warming

A

As glaciers retreat (melt more than they form each year) there will be an increase in river discharge and sediment yields until glaciers have completely gone.

52
Q

how will river discharge be effected by global warming

A

Currently, European countries receive water during the summer months from Alpine glacial meltwater.
Studies show limited ice in the Western Alps and none in the Eastern Alps by 2100.
This will have knock-on impacts on river discharge.

geography carbon (3 decks)

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