Impacts of climate change on cycles

Question 1

increase in temperature on water cycle

Answer 1

higher evaporation rates and a wetter atmosphere- positive feedback of further warming

Question 2

water cycle feedback loop

Answer 2

ice reflects radiation form sun (less sunlight reflected=albedo effect), arctic sea ice shrinking, more water absorption, further melts ice, affects types and magnitudes of water transfers- affects trade routes

Question 3

how carbon affects climate change

Answer 3

increase as co2 concentrations rise, contributes less to greenhouse effect than water vapour- but it controls the amount of vapour

Question 4

carbon cycle feedback loop of warmer temperatures

Answer 4

increased growing season for plants, more absorption
melt permafrost, organic matter trapped in frozen=carbon store, when released decomposed matter release co2 and methane
more phytoplankton, clouds, global cooling-> less sunshine, phytoplankton, cooling effect (negative feedback loop)

Question 5

Role of water and carbon: through running water=

El Nino

Answer 5

carbon released, increase temps, increased moisture absorption ability
Normally- trade winds blow east to west across Pacific (S America to Asia) and cold water wells up below in east to take place- temp disparity keeps wind blowing
El Nino- winds weaken/break own, warm water pushed back to east (Chile) causing rainstorms there and drought in Australia(increased bush fire risk)

Question 6

Tropical rain forests (fast)

Answer 6

plants store and release water & are carbon sinks (sequestration)- generate own rainfall due to climate of high temps and evaporation- deforestation by burning, carbon released and their role in water cycling disrupted- local precipitation patterns disrupted

Question 7

Weathering (slow)

Answer 7

pure water= ph 7 but natural unpolluted water= slightly acidic, polluted air from sulphur dioxide leads to more acidic rainfall, on contact with carbonate rocks-limestone- rainwater converts calcium carbonate to calcium biocarbonate (soluble), dissolved carbon carried away by rivers/oceans, used for shell growth, buried to form new deposits, some transferred back to atmosphere y tectonic uplift