Module 2 - Vocabulary

Question 1

Planetary habitability

Answer 1

1. Support Life
2. Conditions:
   - Distance from its star
   - Size and Composition
   - Atmosphere
   - Presence of water –> Temperatures = HABITABLE ZONE
   - Magnetic field

Question 2

Earth System Science

Answer 2

Question 3

Biogeochemical cycle

Answer 3

–> The cycling of elements and compounds through the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

• Driven by transformation, transportation, and storage

Question 4

Biogeochemical cycle - Carbon Cycle

Answer 4

1. Carbon fixation: Atmospheric CO2 fixed by photosynthetic organisms –> conversion into ORGANIC compounds
2. Respiration: ORGANIC compounds –> Energy and Growth = CO2 release Back
3. Decomposition: Organic matter broken down by microbes = CO2 release Back
4. Fossil fuel formation: SOME Decomp. CO2 are buried and transformed into Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas
5. Combustion: Burning of Fossil fuels release CO2 back = increased atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases
6. Ocean uptake: Oceans = carbon sink –> diffusion and mixing
7. Silicate weathering/sedimentation: Removal of carbon - foraminifera

Question 5

Catchment Water Balance Model

Answer 5

CATCHMENT –> Contributes to the drainage basin of a river system = better understanding of hydrological processes within the area

@ the catchment scale [SINGLE ENTITY = all land surface and water bodies] –> Interacts with Atmo-Bio-Geo-sphere
- Delineated boundaries based of topographical features (e.g. ridge lines)

Question 6

Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC)

Answer 6

–> Water movement between the soil, roots and atmosphere
- Reuptake of water and nutrients by roots
- Transpiration = vapour from leaves
–> Important for regulating plant growth, soil moisture & precipitation = climate

Question 7

EQ: Darcy’s Law

Answer 7

• [ Q = -KA (dh/dl) ] -
  Where:
• Q is the volumetric flow rate of water through the porous medium (m3/s)
• K is the hydraulic conductivity or permeability of the porous medium (m/s)
• dh/dl is the hydraulic gradient, which is the change in hydraulic head (pressure) per unit length along the flow path (m/m)
• Considers the effects of gravity and pressure gradients
  –> the “(-)K” indicates that water flows from high pressure to low pressure, or from areas of higher hydraulic head to areas of lower hydraulic head

The flow of fluids through porous media (Simplified V)
–> ONLY to fully saturated porous media
- [Hydrology and engineering] to understand and predict groundwater flow and contaminant

Question 8

EQ: Richard’s equation ** finish card

Answer 8

• [ ∂θ/∂t = ∇(K(h)∇h) ] -

The flow of fluids through a porous media (complex)
–> Can be used for both saturated and unsaturated media

Question 9

EQ: Soil water balance ** Finish card**

Answer 9

• [ΔS = P + I - ET - R - D] -
  Where:
  -