How much change occurs over time in the water and carbon cycles? Flashcards
What construction technique helps protect the permafrost from melting?
Constructing buildings and pipelines on insulated ice or gravel pads
True or False: Urbanisation increases the infiltration of water into the soil.
False
Urban surfaces are largely impermeable, allowing little or no infiltration.
Define ‘dynamic equilibrium’ in the context of natural systems.
A state where continuous inputs, outputs, and variable stores maintain a balance over time
What is the effect of urbanisation on floodplains?
Reduces water storage capacity, increasing river flow and flood risks
What are the two main factors that influence the water cycle in the Alaskan tundra?
- Temperature
- Permafrost
What is permafrost?
A permanently frozen layer of soil found in the tundra
What role does snow cover play in the carbon cycle during winter?
It may insulate microbial organisms, allowing some decomposition to occur
Outline two ways in which the oil and gas industry have reduced their impact on the water and carbon cycles in the tundra.
- Using insulated ice and gravel pads
- Drilling laterally to reduce the number of drilling sites
What happens to a high proportion of water from precipitation in urban areas?
- Flows quickly into streams and rivers
- Causes a rapid rise in water level.
How does urbanization affect floodplains?
Reduces water storage capacity in drainage basins, increasing river flow and flood risks.
What impact does urbanization have on the carbon cycle?
Results in reduced amounts of organic carbon and increased carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning.
lower organic carbon leads due to sealed soil leads to poorer soil health, reduced biodiversity, and a diminished capacity for carbon sequestration—contributing to higher atmospheric CO₂ levels
How does farming change vegetation and soils?
- Reduces carbon storage in biomass and soil
- Increases soil erosion
- Modifies the water cycle.
What are the implications of forest clearance for farming?
Reduces above- and below-ground carbon storage and exposes soil organic matter to oxidation.
What happens to soil carbon storage due to ploughing?
Reduced storage due to increased exposure of soil organic matter to oxidation and erosion.
How does crop irrigation affect the water cycle?
Diverts surface water and groundwater to cultivated land, impacting evaporation and soil drainage.
Fill in the blank: The typical carbon storage in mature forest trees in the UK is _______ tonnes C/ha.
170-200
What is the effect of clear felling on the local water cycle?
- Increases run-off
- Reduces evapotranspiration
- Increases stream discharge.
What is the primary carbon storage in forest ecosystems?
Wood of the tree trunk.
True or False: Forest trees become active carbon sinks after 100 years.
TRUE
What are aquifers?
Permeable or porous water-bearing rocks.
What is an artesian aquifer?
FIJI
An aquifer confined between impermeable rock layers that contains groundwater under artesian pressure.
How does groundwater extraction affect river flow?
Reduces flows in rivers due to lower groundwater levels.
What percentage of global energy consumption was from fossil fuels in 2019?
84 percent.
What is carbon capture and storage (CCS)?
A technology to capture and store CO2 emissions from power plants and industry.
What is the main driver of present-day global warming?
The combustion of fossil fuels.
Fill in the blank: Cumulative anthropogenic CO2 emissions since 1750 total nearly _______ GT.
2000
What is the estimated atmospheric CO2 concentration today?
Over 415 ppm.
How does urban development affect carbon emissions?
Increases emissions through vehicle usage and fossil fuel burning.
What effect does farming have on carbon exchanges compared to natural ecosystems?
Lower carbon exchange due to a lack of biodiversity.
What happens to transpiration rates in forest plantations compared to farmland?
Transpiration rates are increased.
Fill in the blank: The process of capturing CO2 involves separating, compressing, and _______ it into porous rocks.
injecting
What is the impact of increased surface run-off from heavy machinery in farming?
Higher peak flows on streams draining farmland.
What is the current atmospheric CO2 concentration as of recent measurements?
Over 415 ppm
What is the main purpose of the Drax project in North Yorkshire?
To capture 2 million tonnes of CO2 per year
How does CO2 injection into mature oilfields benefit oil extraction?
It helps extract oil that would otherwise be uneconomic to recover
What are the types of feedback mechanisms mentioned in the context of natural systems?
- Positive feedback
- Negative feedback
What is the role of water vapor in the atmosphere concerning the greenhouse effect?
It increases absorption of long-wave radiation
What is carbon fertilization?
The process where rising atmospheric CO2 stimulates photosynthesis
What are the economic and geological factors limiting the effectiveness of CCS technology?
- Big capital costs
- Large amounts of energy required
- Specific geological conditions needed for storage
What changes occur in the global carbon cycle due to human activity?
Increased CO2 concentration, ocean acidity, and carbon flux between stores
Fill in the blank: The Drax and Peterhead projects will cost at least ______.
£1 billion
True or False: Increased primary production through carbon fertilization is guaranteed without other conditions.
FALSE
What is the primary input and outputs of water in drainage basins?
- Input: Precipitation
- Outputs: Evapotranspiration, run-off
What is a characteristic of negative feedback in the water cycle during droughts?
The system reduces run-off and evapotranspiration
What is the main cause of seasonal changes in net primary productivity (NPP) in middle and high latitudes?
Day length or photoperiod, and temperature
What technology is used to monitor Arctic sea ice growth and retreat?
NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites
What satellite technology measures atmospheric CO2 levels?
NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)
What is the impact of global warming on Arctic tundra according to the text?
It causes faster warming and melting of permafrost
What is the estimated organic carbon storage in the tundra’s permafrost?
1600 GT
What phenomenon occurs as a result of increased sunlight absorption in the Arctic due to melting ice?
Warming of the tundra and release of more CO2
Fill in the blank: The typical solar input in June in southern England is around ______ W/m2.
800
What is the relationship between seasonal fluctuations in CO2 flux and land masses?
Concentration of continental land masses in the northern hemisphere
What is a significant negative feedback mechanism in trees during drought years?
Shedding leaves to reduce transpiration losses
What drives the seasonal changes in phytoplankton activity in oceans?
- Rising water temperatures
- More intense sunlight
- Lengthening photoperiod
Describe the diurnal pattern of CO2 flow in vegetation.
- Daytime: CO2 flows from atmosphere to vegetation
- Nighttime: CO2 flows from vegetation to atmosphere
What are the main factors that allow for the monitoring of changes in global water and carbon cycles?
- Satellite technology
- Remote sensing
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
What are the seasonal average evapotranspiration rates in lowland England from April to September?
- April: 54 mm
- May: 79 mm
- June: 92 mm
- July: 96 mm
- August: 79 mm
- September: 49 mm
What is the average flow (cumecs) recorded in the data?
34, 23.5, 22, 12.1, 4.12, 4.36, 15.35, 11.7, 51.7, 28, 59, 17.7
Values indicate average river flow measured in cubic meters per second.
What is the maximum rainfall (mm) recorded in the data?
159
This value represents the highest rainfall measurement in the provided dataset.
What is the total sunshine (hours) recorded in the data for the lowest month?
41.6
This indicates the least amount of sunshine hours recorded in the dataset.
What is the Spearman rank correlation coefficient used for?
To analyze the seasonal relationship between river flow and rainfall, as well as river flow and sunshine.
How is the coefficient of determination (r²) calculated?
It is calculated by squaring the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r) and multiplying by 100.
What influences river flow besides rainfall and sunshine totals?
Factors such as temperature, land use changes, urbanization, and human activities.
Identify two reasons for differences in river flow between November and February.
- Seasonal changes in precipitation
- Temperature variations affecting snowmelt
What climatic events occurred every 100,000 years over the past 400,000 years?
Four major glacial cycles with cold glacials followed by warmer inter-glacials.
What was the average temperature in the British Isles at the height of the last glacial, 20,000 years ago?
5 °C lower than today.
What happens to sea levels during glacial periods?
Sea levels fall by 100-130 m.
What is the effect of glacial periods on vegetation and water storage?
The area covered by vegetation shrinks and water stored in the biosphere decreases.
What is the atmospheric CO2 concentration during glacial maxima?
Around 180 ppm.
What is a possible reason for the drop in atmospheric CO2 during glacial periods?
Excess CO2 may be transferred to the deep ocean.
What is the impact of melting permafrost on carbon release?
It exposes organic material to oxidation and decomposition, releasing CO2 and CH4.
What term describes the balance of water and carbon in ecosystems?
Dynamic equilibrium.
What are the differences between positive and negative feedback in climate systems?
- Positive feedback amplifies changes
- Negative feedback counteracts changes
How does urbanization influence the water cycle?
It reduces evapotranspiration and increases surface run-off.
Name two ways in which forestry modifies the water cycle.
- Increases evapotranspiration
- Enhances water retention in soil
What happens to CO2 emitted from fossil fuel combustion?
It accumulates in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
What is meant by ‘carbon fertilization’?
Increased plant growth due to higher atmospheric CO2 levels.
What changes have occurred in Arctic sea ice since 1980?
A significant reduction in extent and thickness.
What are two factors responsible for contemporary eustatic sea level rise?
- Melting ice sheets
- Thermal expansion of seawater
