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semester 1 flashcards > exam cards 132 > Flashcards

exam cards 132 Flashcards

1
Q

The Chihuahuan desert is described as having a hot semi-arid climate, which weathering type is most likely in this climate

A

very slight weathering

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2
Q

what are Stalactite speleothems?

A

Calcite deposits that form in air-filled cave passages

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3
Q

disintegration and removal of rock by water, wind and gravity is description of

A

Denudation

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4
Q

what is planetary albedo

A

the fraction of solar radiation reaching the top of the atmosphere that is reflected by the earth’s surface and atmosphere into space as short-wave radiation

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5
Q

which surface has the lowest albedo

A

calm water

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6
Q

which of the following characterize PM 2.5 particulates that are suspended in the atmosphere?

A

their diameter is smaller or equal to 2.5 um

there are natural sources of PM 2.5 particulates

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7
Q

methane is a significant greenhouse gas. the largest natural source of methane is from

A

bacterial fermentation of organic matter

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8
Q

which aquatic organism can tolerate very acidic conditions?

A

perch

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9
Q

what are the components of the earth curst

A

Oceanic crust 7-10 km, Continental crust 25-75km, Lithosphere, asthenosphere

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10
Q

what are diagenesis

A

new rock formed from weathering and erosion

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11
Q

what are primary and secondary sedimentary

A

Primary sedimentation is a process in which water is stored at rest for some time and sludge collected at bottom and oily matter collected at top are removed.

The secondary sedimentation process removes the smaller particles not captured by primary sedimentation.

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12
Q

what makes tectonic plates move

A

Drag of old, cold, dense lithosphere at subduction zone

Westerly bias in tidal energy affects Earth’s mantle rheology

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13
Q

what is the earths total surface and what is surface area of land

A

500 million km2

140 million km2 (~30%)

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14
Q

what are the core rock types

A

basaltic, granitic, Limestone

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15
Q

what is denunciation

A
  • Degradation and levelling of land surface
  • The higher the land the greater the potential energy
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16
Q

general rules of chemical weathering, as well as rock types it affects

A
  • Based on chemical reactions
  • Requires water
  • Normally the higher the temperature the more chemical weather

Salt (halite), Gypsum, Calcite (limestone), Quartz (most sandstones), Feldspar is calcium, potassium, aluminum (granite)

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17
Q

general rules of mechanical (physical) weathering

A
  • caused by stresses
    • typically associated with expansion and shrinking cycles
    • generally most pronounced at large temperature fluctuations
    • frost!
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18
Q

general rules for transport (in weathering)

A

Gravity (mass wasting)
- Avalanches
- Rockfalls
- landslides

Gravity + water = fluvial transport (as solute & suspension)

As minerals are transport in suspension, and as it exits it’ll lose its support land in sediment banks
Transport is limited system as valleys fill up

Wind: aeolian transport ( in suspension)

Supply limited system (valleys are incised)

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19
Q

what are sedimentary fluxes

A

Sedimentary fluxes refer to the movement of sediment from one location to another

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20
Q

list what mass movement processes there are

A

Mass movement processes
- Creep, slow deformation of rock or soil
- Flow, shearing throughout soil, rock and snow (e.g. solifluction)
- Heave, expansion and contraction \9e.g. soil creep, talus creep, frost creep)
- Fall, downward movement of rock/soil through air
- Slide, movement along clearcut basal shear planes
- Subsidence, cavity collapse and settlement

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21
Q

What is karst

A

A distinctive landscape type characterized by solutional weathering
This leads to the progressive replacement of surface runoff by underground drainage

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22
Q

list Karst factors affecting solutional weathering of limestone

A
  • Water can dissolve more gas when colder
    • CO2 content of vegetated soil >atmosphere
    • Water percolating through soil can take up extra CO2
    • Water can dissolve more gas when under pressure, therefore creating more aggressive chemical weathering
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23
Q

what Global distribution of karst

A

Covers ca 12% of global land surface

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24
Q

what are Estuaries and how are they formed

A

Estuary = coastal embayment
Formed often by sea level rise

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25
Q

what are Autotrophs

A

Autotrophs are the primary producers in trophic levels. Most plants are photoautotrophs. They harness solar energy to form biomass from simple inorganic sources.

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26
Q

what are Heterotrophs

A

Heterotrophs are reliant upon other organisms for energy (consumers).

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27
Q

how much solar energy is reflected back into the atmosphere through planetary albedo

A

36%

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28
Q

how far is the sun from the earth and how long does it take the solar energy to reach earth

A

150 million Km from Earth
8.3 minutes to reach Earth

29
Q

what wavebands of light does photosynthesis use

A

400-500 nm (blue)
600-700 nm (red)

30
Q

what is the reflectively of different vegetation

A

Tropical rainforest 13%
grassland 25%
woodland 16-18%
farm crops 15-26%

31
Q

what is Impact of enhanced CO2 on C3 photosynthesis

A

At enhanced CO2 levels, for example in a commercial
greenhouse, the rate of photosynthesis increases for
a given amount of light compared with normal
ambient (atmospheric) CO2 concentrations.

32
Q

explain c3 photosynthesis

A

Chloroplasts are situated throughout the interior of the leaf.

The first products of photosynthesis are
molecules with 3 carbon atoms - hence the name C3.
C3 photosynthesis is relatively inefficient because the
the concentration of CO2 in the chloroplasts is relatively
low.

A significant proportion of the CO2 fixed is released
back to the atmosphere in a process called
photorespiration.

33
Q

explain c4 photosynthesis

A

C4 plants first became abundant on Earth 7 million
years ago, during the late Miocene, when extensive
grasslands developed.

They evolved as a result of falling global atmospheric
CO2 levels and increasing aridity

C4 plants are more efficient in their use of CO2

34
Q

how much nitrogen gas makes our atmosphere

A

78%

35
Q

explain Nitrogen cycle: main processes, Ammonification

A

N primarily stored in living and dead organic matter is converted to the ammonia or ammonium salts through decomposition in the upper soil layer.

36
Q

explain Nitrogen cycle: main processes, Nitrification

A

N in the form of ammonium salts can be absorbed onto the surfaces of clay
particles in the soil. Chemoautotrophic bacteria oxidise:

37
Q

explain Nitrogen cycle: main processes, Denitrification

A

Anaerobic waterlogged soils -up to 15% N lost through denitrification.
Nitrate reduced by heterotrophic bacteria to give N2or N2O gases.

38
Q

explain Nitrogen cycle: main processes, Leaching

A

Nitrate is very soluble in water -lost from the soil system by leaching.
Flows in the hydrological system to the ocean.
Supplies bacteria with oxygen for respiration.

These examples above could all occur naturally in the wild

Anthropogenic influences
Up to 25% global nitrogen fixation - chemical industry - fertilizers
450 million tonnes of nitrogen fertilizer per year, mostly in the form of anhydrous
ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and urea.

The application of nitrogen fertilizers to crops has caused increased rates of denitrification and leaching of nitrate. In lakes, the added N can lead to eutrophication (excess primary production).

39
Q

what is the Haber–Bosch process

A

Main industrial procedure for the production ofammonia (NH3).
Developed by German chemists Fritz Haber & Carl Bosch (in the first half of the 20th century).

Converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3) by a reaction with hydrogen (H2) using a metal catalyst under high temperatures and pressures

40
Q

what is a Eutrophic pond

A
  • Cyanobacteria(‘blue-green algae’) floating on the surface.
    • Cyano-bacteria are N-fixers but also need P inputs.
    • Outcompete other algae when N is in short supply.
41
Q

explain the sulfur cycle

A
  • S is an essential nutrient for all living organisms
    • S is generally found in the abiotic environment (found in rocks)
    • Fluxes between abiotic and biotic components
    • The sulphate anion (SO4^2-) - weathering and oxidation of rocks, present in both soil and soil water, absorbed by plants roots and incorporated into sulphur, Containing proteins and vitamins. In this form sulphur is passed along food chains to animals.
42
Q

how can acid rain adversely affect the environment

A
  • Acid rain became a major international concern in the 1970’s
    • Acid rain rarely directly kills trees but stunts growth through soil degradation. Eventually the trees are likely to die from nutrient deprivation and exposure to the released toxins
    • Acid rain accelerates natural weathering processes
43
Q

explain what the Phosphorus Cycle is

A

P is essential to life being involved in energy transfer (via ATP) and in the passage of genetic information in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of cells.

P is one of the scarcest recycled elements that often limits the productivity of biological systems (e.g. NPP).

Naturally present in environment - crystalline rocks e.g. apatite (Ca5(PO4)3OH). Released through chemical and microbiological weathering.

Only very small atmospheric phase (dust)

- P availability depends mainly upon soil pH
- Acidic: relatively insoluble compounds, variscite - AI(OH)2H2PO4
- Alkaline: insoluble compounds, hydroxyapatite - Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2
- Neutral: Soil contains minerals that are rich in P. Minerals slowly break down over time (weathering) and release P to the soil solution for plant uptake
44
Q

What is Pedosphere and soils

A

Soil - is top layer of the earth, composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water and air, often discriminated by soil horizons

Soil Horizon - is a layer parallel to the soil surface whose physical, chemical and biological properties differs from layers above and beneath

Soil Profile - is vertical display of soil horizons

Soil begins where geological areas end

Soil Pedon - is 3D unit that represents the entire soil body, it is the smallest volume of soil showing characteristics properties of a particular soil

Pedosphere - outermost layer of the earth
Pedology - study of soil - soil science

45
Q

what are the different mineral particle sizes in soil

A

fine earth: clay <0.002, slit 0.002 - 0.05, fine sand 0.05 - 0.2, course sand 0.2 - 2mm,
course fragments: gravel 2mm - 20 mm, stones >20mm

46
Q

what are the 5 common clay minerals

A

Kaolinite 1:1 non-expanding

Illite (mica) 2:1 non-expanding firm bonds potassium ions

Montmorillonite 2:1 expanding, weak bonds

Vermiculite 2:1 expanding, weak bonds water molecules

Chlorite 2:1 non-expanding, firm bonds

47
Q

what are the properties of clay minerals

A
  • volume change caused by wetting/drying – swelling and shrinking
    • Colloidal properties – clays carry an electric charge – important for soil physical and chemical reactions
    • Organic and inorganic cations and anions are adsorbed on clay surfaces because of the permanent negative charge
    • Clays act as a binding agent for other soil particles and help forming soil aggregates
48
Q

describe the priorities of soil texture between fine and course

A
  • Fine textured soils (contain more clay) have much larger surface areas, smaller pores, can hold water for longer, often get waterlogged.
    • Coarse textured soils (contain more sand) have smaller surface areas, larger pores, water easily drains out so sandy soils dry out quickly.
49
Q

Soil Organic Matter (SOM) is what

A

Soil Organic Matter (SOM) – dead and living matter consists of debris of green plants and animal residues colonized by soil organisms, SOM consist of 58 % carbon

50
Q

what are the soil side profile horizons from top to bottom

A

O - surface organic layer

A - topsoil mineral layer with high organic matter content

E - lighter in colour, eluvial layer, i.e. washed out of clays/organic matter

B - subsoil, illuvial layer (deposition from above)

C - parent material

51
Q

what are the soils the exam concentrates as well as their environments

A

Cambisol
Podzol
histosol
Glaysol
ferrasol
Andosol

52
Q

what are the Koppen-Geiger climate classification sections

A

Tropical (a), Arid (b), Temperate (c), Cold (d), Polar (e)

53
Q

what is parent material

A

Parent material – material from which soil is formed.
- Consolidated bedrock or loose deposits (e.g. river sediment, glacial till, volcanic ash)
- Mode of transportation – affects soil horizons development
- Chemical and physical composition

54
Q

what are the main soil processes in Britain

A
  • Leaching (Cambisol)
    • Gleying (Gleysol)
    • Podzolization (podzol)
55
Q

what is leaching in soil processes

A

Washing of the soil with rainfall (pH 5.5), weak acid dissolves minerals and carry away basic cations like Ca, Mg, K, Na and replaces by H or Al ions. - lowering pH with depth.

56
Q

what is Podzolization in soil processes

A

Extreme leaching at the surface layer (acid organic layer) and translocation of sesquioxdes (Fe, Al) into the subsoil.

57
Q

what is gleying in soil processes

A
  • Process in waterlogged soils
    • O2 is very low, iron is reduced from oxidised stated (Fe3+) to reduced (Fe2+), soluble in water.
    • Removal of Fe leaves soil a grey or bluish colour
    • Orange/red mottling appears when soil layer exposed to O2 (oxidation of remaining iron).
58
Q

what are the atmospheric composition as in percentage

A

Nitrogen, oxygen 99.03%
Carbon dioxide, aragon 0.97%
Hydrogen, methane and others 0.003%

59
Q

what are the sections of the atmosphere

A

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere

60
Q

how long does H2O, N2, O2, CO2 last in the atmosphere

A

H2O 10days
N2 14 million yr
O2 6000 yr
CO2 5 to 200 yr

61
Q

what are the definitions of absolute, saturated, relative

A

Absolute humidity = mass of water vapour/volume of air (kg/m^3)
Saturated humidity = maximum absolute humidity, deceases with temperature
Relative Humidity = Absolute humidity / Saturated Humidity

62
Q

what the three cells within the three cell model

A

Polar cell, Ferrel Cell, Hadley Cell

63
Q

what are the areas where the atmospheric cells meet

A

intertropical Convergence Zone

these zones create area of high and low pressure making it, hot spot for storms and hurricanes

64
Q

what is the hydrological cycle

A

The circulation of water from the sea, through the atmosphere to the land, and thence, with numerous delays and at various speeds, either back to the sea by overland and underground routes or back to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration without reaching the sea

65
Q

what is the global cycle in hydrological

A
  • The GLOBAL cycle is a CLOSED system with no gains/losses of water; outputs of any part directly affect the rest of the system
    It is the delays, speeds and routes – and how they vary over the Earth’s surface spatially and temporally (i.e. through time) in response to weather and climate, climatic change and Man’s actions

Precipitation = evaporation
Eo + EL = Po + PL

A closed system,
97.2 % currently in the oceans (but c. 4 % lower at Last Glacial Max)
Only 2.8 % on land (but > 7 % at the Last Glacial Max)

Most land water is ice and groundwater
Ice volumes were 3x higher at the Last Glacial maximum than now

66
Q

explain the basin cycle in reference to hydrologically

A
  • The GLOBAL and BASIN hydrological cycles are physical, sequential and dynamic systems
    • Systems comprise sub-systems, each with their inputs, throughputs, storages, outputs - and transfer processes

The BASIN hydrological cycle is an OPEN system with gains and losses to the system through time; outputs (evapotranspiration and river flow ) do not control inputs (precipitation).

67
Q

what does catchment mean

A
  • Catchment (drainage basin) – area of land in which water flowing across the surface drains into a particular stream or river; unit of study hydrology
68
Q
A

semester 1 flashcards (2 decks)

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