Monitoring changes to the global water and carbon cycles

Question 1

hat is the primary method of monitoring changes in global air temperatures sea surface temperatures (SST) sea ice thickness and rates of deforestation?

Answer 1

Satellite technology and remote sensing.

Question 2

How are satellite data used to analyze and map changes in the environment?

Answer 2

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, the satellite data can be mapped and analyzed to identify areas of anomalies, trends, and regions of greatest change.

Question 3

What are the diurnal variations in carbon flows between the atmosphere and vegetation?

Answer 3

During the daytime, CO₂ flows from the atmosphere to vegetation, while at night the flux is reversed, with vegetation losing CO₂ to the atmosphere.

Question 4

What causes the seasonal changes in the water and carbon cycles?

Answer 4

Seasonal changes are primarily controlled by variations in the intensity of solar radiation.

Question 5

What is the impact of solar radiation intensity on evapotranspiration?

Answer 5

Evapotranspiration is highest in the summer months when solar radiation intensity is highest, and lowest in winter when solar radiation intensity is lowest.

Question 6

What is the significance of lower temperatures at night in the water cycle?

Answer 6

Lower temperatures at night reduce evaporation and transpiration in the water cycle.

Question 7

When does convectional precipitation, dependent on direct heating of the ground surface by the Sun, typically occur?

Answer 7

Convectional precipitation often occurs in the afternoon when temperatures reach a maximum, particularly in climatic regions in the tropics.

Question 8

What physical systems undergo significant changes within a 24-hour period in the water cycle?

Answer 8

Significant changes occur within a 24-hour period in evaporation, transpiration, and convectional precipitation.

Question 9

What does Figure 4.31 represent?

Answer 9

Figure 4.31 represents the solar energy input in southern England, showing the variation in solar radiation intensity throughout the day.

Question 10

What are some features monitored using remote sensing and satellite technology?

Answer 10

Arctic sea ice, ice caps/glaciers, sea surface temperatures (SSTs), water vapor, deforestation, atmospheric CO₂, and primary production in oceans.

Question 11

Which satellites have monitored sea ice growth and retreat since 1978?

Answer 11

NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites.

Question 12

What is the role of NASA’s ICESat-2 satellite in monitoring ice caps and glaciers?

Answer 12

ICESat-2 measures the surface height of ice sheets and glaciers using laser technology, showing their extent, volume, and changes.

Question 13

How do radiometers contribute to the monitoring of global sea surface temperatures (SSTs)?

Answer 13

Radiometers measure the wave band of radiation emitted from the ocean surface, allowing the observation of changes in global SSTs and areas of upwelling and downwelling.

Question 14

What does the measurement of cloud liquid water and total precipitable water contribute to?

Answer 14

These measurements contribute to the long-term trends in cloud cover and water vapor in the atmosphere.

Question 15

What does the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite measure?

Answer 15

OCO-2 measures atmospheric CO₂ levels and the effectiveness of CO₂ absorption by plants.

Question 16

What are the causes of seasonal variations in the carbon cycle?

Answer 16

In middle and high latitudes, seasonal changes in net primary productivity (NPP) of vegetation are driven by day length or photoperiod and temperature. In the tropics, water availability is the main cause of seasonal variations in NPP.

Question 17

What is the effect of the northern hemisphere summer on atmospheric CO₂ levels?

Answer 17

During the northern hemisphere summer, when trees are in full foliage, there is a net global flow of CO₂ from the atmosphere to the biosphere, causing atmospheric CO₂ levels to fall.

Question 18

Why do seasonal fluctuations in the global CO₂ flux occur?

Answer 18

Seasonal fluctuations in the global CO₂ flux are explained by the concentration of continental land masses in the northern hemisphere. During the growing season, ecosystems such as boreal and temperate forests extract large amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere, which has a global impact.

Question 19

What stimulates phytoplankton into photosynthetic activity in the oceans?

Answer 19

Phytoplankton in the oceans are stimulated into photosynthetic activity by rising water temperatures, more intense sunlight, and the lengthening photoperiod.

Question 20

What is the annual occurrence in the North Atlantic related to microscopic oceanic plant life?

Answer 20

Every year in the North Atlantic, there is an explosion of microscopic oceanic plant life, starting in March and peaking in mid-summer.

Question 21

Are the resulting algal blooms visible from space?

Answer 21

Yes, the resulting algal blooms in the North Atlantic are so extensive that they are visible from space.

Question 22

What is the website where you can find information about NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites monitoring sea ice growth and retreat since 1978?

Answer 22

The website is http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/sea_ice.php.

Question 23

What satellite technology is used to measure the surface height of ice sheets and glaciers?

Answer 23

Satellite technology, such as ICESat-2, is used to measure the surface height of ice sheets and glaciers.

Question 24

Which organization’s satellites provide information about sea surface temperatures (SSTs)?

Answer 24

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellites provide information about sea surface temperatures (SSTs).

Question 25

What do radiometers measure in relation to the oceans?

Answer 25

Radiometers measure the wave band of radiation emitted from the ocean surface, which helps observe changes in global SSTs and areas of upwelling and downwelling.

Question 26

Where can you find information about NOAA polar orbiters?

Answer 26

Information about NOAA polar orbiters can be found at www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/atmosphere/mspps/noaa18prd.html.

Question 27

What does the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite measure apart from ground-based measurements at Mauna Loa, Hawaii?

Answer 27

The OCO-2 satellite measures global atmospheric CO₂ levels and the effectiveness of CO₂ absorption by plants.

Question 28

What type of data does the ESA albedo (reflectivity) images provide?

Answer 28

ESA albedo (reflectivity) images from various satellites provide information about the reflectivity of Earth’s surface and land use changes.

Question 29

Where can you find information about NASA’s MODIS/AQUA satellite?

Answer 29

Information about NASA’s MODIS/AQUA satellite can be found at http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/dataprod/mod17.php.

Question 30

What does the MODIS/AQUA satellite measure in relation to primary production?

Answer 30

The MODIS/AQUA satellite measures net primary production in oceans and on land.

Question 31

Where can you find information about NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite?

Answer 31

Information about NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite can be found at http://oco.jpl.nasa.gov/.

Question 32

What are the factors that contribute to large losses of precipitation in England during late summer?

Answer 32

Large losses of precipitation in England during late summer are primarily due to evapotranspiration and the exhaustion of soil moisture.

Question 33

When are river flows in England typically at their lowest?

Answer 33

River flows in England are normally at their lowest in late summer.

Question 34

How are seasonal variations in the carbon cycle demonstrated?

Answer 34

Seasonal variations in the carbon cycle are shown by month-to-month changes in the net primary productivity of vegetation (NPP).

Question 35

What drives seasonal changes in net primary productivity (NPP) in middle and high latitudes?

Answer 35

In middle and high latitudes, seasonal changes in NPP are primarily driven by day length or photoperiod and temperature.

Question 36

What is the main cause of seasonal variations in net primary productivity (NPP) in the tropics?

Answer 36

In the tropics, the main cause of seasonal variations in NPP is water availability.

Question 37

What happens during the northern hemisphere summer in terms of CO₂ flow between the atmosphere and the biosphere?

Answer 37

During the northern hemisphere summer, when trees are in full foliage, there is a net global flow of CO₂ from the atmosphere to the biosphere.

Question 38

What is the effect of the net flow of CO₂ from the atmosphere to the biosphere during the northern hemisphere summer?

Answer 38

The net flow of CO₂ from the atmosphere to the biosphere during the northern hemisphere summer causes atmospheric CO₂ levels to fall.

Question 39

What happens at the end of summer in terms of CO₂ flow between the biosphere and the atmosphere?

Answer 39

At the end of summer, as photosynthesis ends, the flow is reversed, with natural decomposition releasing CO₂ back to the atmosphere.

Question 40

What explains the seasonal fluctuations in the global CO₂ flux?

Answer 40

The seasonal fluctuations in the global CO₂ flux are explained by the concentration of continental land masses in the northern hemisphere. During the growing season, ecosystems such as boreal and temperate forests extract large amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere, which has a global impact.

Question 41

What stimulates phytoplankton into photosynthetic activity in the oceans?

Answer 41

Phytoplankton in the oceans are stimulated into photosynthetic activity by rising water temperatures, more intense sunlight, and the lengthening photoperiod.

Question 42

When does the explosion of microscopic oceanic plant life occur in the North Atlantic?

Answer 42

The explosion of microscopic oceanic plant life in the North Atlantic starts in March and peaks in mid-summer.

Question 43

Are the resulting algal blooms visible from space?

Answer 43

Yes, the resulting algal blooms in the North Atlantic are so extensive that they are visible from space (Figure 4.32).