How are the water and carbon cycles linked

Question 1

How does the atmosphere links the cycles

Answer 1

CO2 plays a vital role in photosynthesis
Plants extract water from soil and transpire it to the atm
water is evaporated from the oceans
CO2 is exchanged from the ocean to the atm

Question 2

How does the oceans link the cycles

Answer 2

Ocean acidity increases when exchanges of CO2 are not in balance
Solubility of CO2 in the oceans increases at lower sea-surface temperatures
CO2 influences SST and thermal expansion, melting of ice and air temperatures

Question 3

How does vegetation and soil link the cycles

Answer 3

Water availability influences the rate of photosynthesis, NPP
Water storage capacity of soils increases with organic content
Temperature and rainfall affects decomposition rates and the release of CO2 to the atm
Temp and rainfall affects decomposition rates and release of CO2 to atm

Question 4

How does the Cryosphere link the cycles

Answer 4

CO2 levels in the atm determine temp and melting of ice sheets, glaciers and permafrost
Melting expose land and sea surfaces which absorb more radiation and increase temp
Run-off, river flow and evaporation respond to temperature change