Nutrient Cycle Flashcards
Evaporation
Evaporation is the process of turning a liquid into vapour
Condensation
Condensation is the conversion of a gas into a liquid. An example would be water collecting on a cold surface, such as a cup, because it’s made contact with humid air
Precipitation
Precipitation is water falling down to Earth in any form. Some examples would be water, snow, and hail
Sublimation
Sublimation is the process of water turning into a gas without becoming a liquid first. Dry ice, which is the solid form of carbon dioxide is an example of sublimation.
Transpiration
Transpiration is when plants absorb water through their roots and then makes that water into vapour and releases it through the pores in their leaves.
Percolation
Percolation is the process of liquid slowly passing through a filter
Run Off
Precipitation water that’s drained by rivers or streams
Water Reservoirs
Natural or man-made storage spaces for water.
Carbon
An odourless, colourless gas that can produce carbon dioxide, and more.
Atmosphere
Envelope of gas that surrounds the Earth
Biosphere
Part of Atmosphere where all organisms live
Geosphere
All the solid portion of Earth, such as Earth’s mantle
Hydrosphere
All water within and on Earth. This includes vapour, oceans, clouds, etc.
Carbon Dioxide
A gas that can be produced through cellular respiration and photosynthesis. It is a part of Earth’s cycle that maintains Earth’s temperature.
Cellular Respiration
The process that supplies an organisms’ molecules with energy so that they can carry out basic functions and metabolic reactions. Ex. breathing
Photosynthesis
A process done by living plants in which they take in carbon dioxide and water to make sugar (food) through the sun’s energy.
Decomposition
The process in which something is in the state of rotting
Sedimentation
The distribution of sediment, such as, sediment settling.
Weather
Weather are the atmospheric condition within an area for a SHORT period of time
Climate
The usual weather patterns within an area for a LONG period of time (usually 30+ years)
Altitude
Height above sea level. Altitude greatly affects temperature
Latitude
The distance from the Earth’s equator. Latitude greatly affects Earth’s temperature
Termperature
The measurable degree of the presence of heat. The more heat in an area, the higher the temperature.
Thermal Expansion of Water
The rising of water through the sun’s heat energy. Because heat makes water molecules move faster and apart, heat energy causes sea level to rise
Greenhouse Gases
They’re gases that absorb infrared radiation and contribute to the Greenhouse Gas Effect
Fossil Fuels
Fossil Fuels are deeply compressed dead animals/plants. Carbon can be found in these.
Ozone
Good Ozone:
Good ozone lies between the Stratosphere and Troposphere. It’s a layer of gas that protects us from the sun’s UV radiation
Bad Ozone:
Causes greenhouse gases, making the Earth warm up. Anthropogenic
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)
They’re elemental compounds that when released into the atmosphere, can break down the ozone layer. It has done this before.
Carbon Sinks
Natural or man-made storage spaces for carbon, and releases carbon dioxide.
ex. fossil fuels, soil
Carbon Footprint
The amount of carbon an individual emits
Greenhouse Gas Effect
When the sun’s heat energy is trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere as a way of keeping Earth nice and habitable. This however, can backfire since humans are constantly warming up the Earth through other things.
Carbon Dioxide
A natural gas that comes from cellular respiration, photosynthesis, decomposition, and volcanic eruptions. It contributes to the greenhouse gas effect because when released in to the atmosphere, it stays there for 100’s of years to make the Earth nice n toasty warm. However, humans are putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through industrial building, etc. This makes us have too much CO2 than the atmosphere can take, as well as too much CO2 for plants to photosynthesize, causing global warming.
Methane (CH4)
Methane is a natural gas that comes from cows’ farts and poops. It is 23 times more effective in absorbing heat than CO2 is, but there is significantly less of it in the atmosphere. However, there has still been an increase to it over the years as humans have been accustomed to liking cows and burgers more.
Nitrous Oxide (NO2)
Nitrous oxide is a natural gas that comes from agricultural soils and fertilizer. It is 3000 more times effective than carbon dioxide in absorbing heat but there is significantly less of it in the atmosphere.
Effects of Climate Change
Rising Sea Level, Melting Ice, Droughts, Tropical Storms, Forest Fires
Proxy Record
Data that is collected though inferring information based on previous information
Feedback Loop
Positive Feedback Loop:
A cycle that constantly adds to itself
Negative Feedback Loop:
A cycle that constantly takes things away
Mountain Pine Beetle
Mountain Pine Beetles are a 1 degree change in temperature matters. Because of the rise in temperature, these beetles no longer die off in the winter, causing more dead trees, causing less photosynthesis and more forest fires.
Ice Core
Ice cores are cylindrical pieces of Antarctic ice that is collected through a drill for data on past weather patterns and climate changes. They’re collected through drills, the deeper the drill, the longer the ice core.
Anthropogenic
literally means “casued by humans”
Short term carbon sinks
sticks, plants, other organisms
Long term carbon sink
fossil fuels, atmosphere, oceans, soil
