key idea 1 definitions Flashcards
Evapotranspiration
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.
Evaporation
Heat from the sun causes water to be converted from a liquid from a water surface to a gas (water vapour) in the atmosphere.
Precipitation
The transfer of water in any form (rain, hail or snow) from the atmosphere to the land or sea surface.
Infiltration
The transfer of water downwards from the ground surface to the unsaturated soil.
Percolation
The transfer of water downward from the unsaturated soil to the saturated groundwater store (aquifer).
Overland flow
The movement of water over the ground surface towards a river or stream.
Throughflow
The movement of water through unsaturated soil (between the ground surface and aquifer) towards a river or stream.
Groundwater flow
The movement of water through the saturated rocks of the aquifer towards rivers, lakes and the sea.
Interception
The rainwater stored temporarily on the leaves, stems and branches of vegetation.
Ablation
The loss of ice or snow, especially from a glacier, through melting, evaporation or sublimation.
Sublimation
The phase change of water from solid (ice) to gas (water vapour).
Condensation
The phase change from gas (water vapour) to liquid (water) often occurring in the atmosphere forming clouds.
Stemflow
The flow of intercepted water along branches or stems to the ground.
Interception Loss
The intercepted water evaporates off the plant surface.
Throughfall
The flow of briefly intercepted water dripping to the ground.
Infiltration Capacity
The ground surface’s maximum rate of water absorption.
Combustion
Organic material reacts in the presence of oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide, CO2 e.g. forest fires.
Fuel + O2 àCO2 + Water
Respiration
The process whereby oxygen and glucose are converted to energy, carbon dioxide and water.
6O2 + C6H12O6 à6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
Photosynthesis
The process whereby, in the presence of sunlight, carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen.
6CO2 + 6H20 àC6H12O6 + 6O2
Combustion of Fossil Fuels
Natural gas, coal or oil burning in the presence of oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide and water.
Decomposition
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.
Chelation
Organic matter and rainwater react together forming an acid which can weather rocks.
Carbonation
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
Diffusion
The movement of carbon dioxide from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across the air-sea boundary.
Sequestration
The take up and storage of carbon.
Biological Pump
Carbon exchanged between the ocean and atmosphere through the actions of marine organisms.
Physical Pump
Carbon exchanged between the ocean and atmosphere through the mixing of dissolved carbon through the surface and deep ocean waters via thermohaline circulation.
Carbonaceous Rocks
A type of sedimentary rock which is formed through the deposition and compression of partially decomposed organic material e.g. fossil fuels.
Sedimentary Rocks
A type of rock formed by the accumulation and compression of sediment or organic particles on the ocean floor.
Convection
The motion of a gas or liquid which when warmed rises until eventually it cools and sinks in a continuous cycle.
Advection
Warm air moving horizontally across a cooler surface
Hydrosphere
All the waters on the earth’s surface, such as lakes and seas.
Cryosphere
The frozen part of the Earth’s surface, including the polar ice caps, continental ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost.
Lithosphere
The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, divided into tectonics plates.
Atmosphere
The envelope of gases surrounding the planet.
Biosphere
The space at the Earth’s surface and within the atmosphere occupied by living organisms.
Goldilocks Zone
The distance from the Sun which allows the presence of liquid water.
Open System
Where matter and energy can both cross the boundary of the system.
Closed System
Where matter cannot cross the boundary of a system, whereas energy can.
Dynamic Equilibrium
The inputs are equal to the outputs, where there is no net change.
Positive Feedback
The amplification of an initial change in a system.
Negative Feedback
The reversal of an initial change in a system which self-regulates and establishes equilibrium.
Water Balance
The relationship between precipitation, stream flow, evapotranspiration, soil moisture and groundwater storage in a drainage basin over a year
Absolute Humidity
The mass of water vapour in a given volume of air
Relative Humidity
The mass of water vapour in a volume of air as a ratio of its water vapour capacity (the mass needed to saturate it)
NPP
Net Primary Productivity
GPP
Gross Primary Productivity
ANPP
Above Ground Productivity
BNPP
Below Ground Productivity
ELR
Environmental Lapse Rate
DALR
Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate
SALR
Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate
