key idea 1 definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Evapotranspiration

A

The loss of moisture from the ground directly from the water bodies and soil and the diffusion of water vapour to the atmosphere from the leaf pores (stomata) of plants.

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2
Q

Evaporation

A

Heat from the sun causes water to be converted from a liquid from a water surface to a gas (water vapour) in the atmosphere.

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3
Q

Precipitation

A

The transfer of water in any form (rain, hail or snow) from the atmosphere to the land or sea surface.

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4
Q

Infiltration

A

The transfer of water downwards from the ground surface to the unsaturated soil.

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5
Q

Percolation

A

The transfer of water downward from the unsaturated soil to the saturated groundwater store (aquifer).

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6
Q

Overland flow

A

The movement of water over the ground surface towards a river or stream.

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7
Q

Throughflow

A

The movement of water through unsaturated soil (between the ground surface and aquifer) towards a river or stream.

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8
Q

Groundwater flow

A

The movement of water through the saturated rocks of the aquifer towards rivers, lakes and the sea.

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9
Q

Interception

A

The rainwater stored temporarily on the leaves, stems and branches of vegetation.

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10
Q

Ablation

A

The loss of ice or snow, especially from a glacier, through melting, evaporation or sublimation.

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11
Q

Sublimation

A

The phase change of water from solid (ice) to gas (water vapour).

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12
Q

Condensation

A

The phase change from gas (water vapour) to liquid (water) often occurring in the atmosphere forming clouds.

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13
Q

Stemflow

A

The flow of intercepted water along branches or stems to the ground.

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14
Q

Interception Loss

A

The intercepted water evaporates off the plant surface.

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15
Q

Throughfall

A

The flow of briefly intercepted water dripping to the ground.

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16
Q

Infiltration Capacity

A

The ground surface’s maximum rate of water absorption.

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17
Q

Combustion

A

Organic material reacts in the presence of oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide, CO2 e.g. forest fires.

Fuel + O2 àCO2 + Water

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18
Q

Respiration

A

The process whereby oxygen and glucose are converted to energy, carbon dioxide and water.

6O2 + C6H12O6 à6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy

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19
Q

Photosynthesis

A

The process whereby, in the presence of sunlight, carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen.

6CO2 + 6H20 àC6H12O6 + 6O2

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20
Q

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

A

Natural gas, coal or oil burning in the presence of oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide and water.

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21
Q

Decomposition

A

Decomposers, such as earthworms, fungi or bacteria, break down dead organic matter is broken down, extracting energy, returning nutrients to the soil and releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

22
Q

Chelation

A

Organic matter and rainwater react together forming an acid which can weather rocks.

23
Q

Carbonation

A

Where carbon dioxide dissolves in water forming a weak acid, carbonic acid, which subsequently reacts with sedimentary rock, e.g. limestone, releasing the carbon dioxide into oceans, rivers and the atmosphere.

CO2 + H2O àH2CO3

H2CO3 + CaCO3 àCa(HCO3)2

24
Q

Diffusion

A

The movement of carbon dioxide from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across the air-sea boundary.

25
Q

Sequestration

A

The take up and storage of carbon.

26
Q

Biological Pump

A

Carbon exchanged between the ocean and atmosphere through the actions of marine organisms.

27
Q

Physical Pump

A

Carbon exchanged between the ocean and atmosphere through the mixing of dissolved carbon through the surface and deep ocean waters via thermohaline circulation.

28
Q

Carbonaceous Rocks

A

A type of sedimentary rock which is formed through the deposition and compression of partially decomposed organic material e.g. fossil fuels.

29
Q

Sedimentary Rocks

A

A type of rock formed by the accumulation and compression of sediment or organic particles on the ocean floor.

30
Q

Convection

A

The motion of a gas or liquid which when warmed rises until eventually it cools and sinks in a continuous cycle.

31
Q

Advection

A

Warm air moving horizontally across a cooler surface

32
Q

Hydrosphere

A

All the waters on the earth’s surface, such as lakes and seas.

33
Q

Cryosphere

A

The frozen part of the Earth’s surface, including the polar ice caps, continental ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost.

34
Q

Lithosphere

A

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, divided into tectonics plates.

35
Q

Atmosphere

A

The envelope of gases surrounding the planet.

36
Q

Biosphere

A

The space at the Earth’s surface and within the atmosphere occupied by living organisms.

37
Q

Goldilocks Zone

A

The distance from the Sun which allows the presence of liquid water.

38
Q

Open System

A

Where matter and energy can both cross the boundary of the system.

39
Q

Closed System

A

Where matter cannot cross the boundary of a system, whereas energy can.

40
Q

Dynamic Equilibrium

A

The inputs are equal to the outputs, where there is no net change.

41
Q

Positive Feedback

A

The amplification of an initial change in a system.

42
Q

Negative Feedback

A

The reversal of an initial change in a system which self-regulates and establishes equilibrium.

43
Q

Water Balance

A

The relationship between precipitation, stream flow, evapotranspiration, soil moisture and groundwater storage in a drainage basin over a year

44
Q

Absolute Humidity

A

The mass of water vapour in a given volume of air

45
Q

Relative Humidity

A

The mass of water vapour in a volume of air as a ratio of its water vapour capacity (the mass needed to saturate it)

46
Q

NPP

A

Net Primary Productivity

47
Q

GPP

A

Gross Primary Productivity

48
Q

ANPP

A

Above Ground Productivity

49
Q

BNPP

A

Below Ground Productivity

50
Q

ELR

A

Environmental Lapse Rate

51
Q

DALR

A

Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate

52
Q

SALR

A

Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate