Waer & carbon Knowledge Check Flashcards
List all the key concepts that are associated with systems in physical geography
Inputs
Outputs
Energy Stores/components Flows/transfers Positive/negative feedback Dynamic equilibrium
Name the four spheres that form the major stores of water on Earth
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Cryosphere
Atmosphere
Name the two things you need to know about water stores in their four spheres
The size (magnitude) of the stores
The global distribution of these stores
The magnitude (size) of water stores can change over two dimensions. Name them.
Time
Space
Change in the magnitude of water stores is driven by a range of processes that cause water to move from one store to another. Name these processes.
Evaporation
Condensation
Cloud formation
Causes of precipitation
Cryospheric processes
The processes driving change in water stores can be studied at three different scales. Name them.
Hill slope
Drainage basin
Global
Drainage basins are open systems. Name the main input and outputs.
Input = precipitation
Outputs = evapotranspiration and runoff
Name the 5 main stores in a drainage basin system.
Interception
Surface water
Soil water
Groundwater
Channel storage
Name the 4 main flows in a drainage basin system.
Stemflow
Infiltration
Overland flow
Channel flow.
The concept of water balance (between inputs and outputs) can be applied to a drainage basin. Water balance can be positive or negative in terms of water stored. How is this calculated?
Change in storage = Precipitation – (Runoff + Evapotranspiration)
Runoff in a drainage basin varies over time. What can be used to show how a river responds to a period of rainfall?
A hydrograph
The water cycle changes over time due to natural variations. Name two causes.
Storm events
Seasonal changes
The water cycle changes over time due to human impact. Name three causes.
Farming practices
Land use change
Water abstraction
Name the five spheres that form the major stores of water on Earth
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Cryosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Name the two things you need to know about carbon stores in their five spheres
The size (magnitude) of the stores
The global distribution of these stores
Change in the magnitude of carbon stores is driven by a range of processes that cause carbon to move from one store to another. Name the six main processes.
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Decomposition
Combustion
Carbon sequestration in oceans and sediments Weathering
The processes driving change in carbon stores can be studied at three different scales. Name them.
Plant
Sere
Continental
The carbon cycle changes over time due to natural variations. Name two causes.
Wildfires
Volcanic activity
The carbon cycle changes over time due to human impact. Name four causes.
Hydrocarbon fuel extraction and burning
Farming practices
Deforestation
Land use changes
The concept of a carbon budget (balance between carbon emitted and carbon absorbed) can be applied to the carbon cycle. Changes in the budget can have an impact four areas. Name them.
Land
Ocean
Atmosphere
Global climate
There are three main areas of study linking water, carbon, climate, and life on Earth. Name them.
- The key role of carbon and water stores and cycles in supporting life on Earth (especially climate).
- The relationship between the water cycle and carbon cycle in the atmosphere.
- The role of feedback within and between systems and their link to climate and implications for life on earth.
What are human interventions in the carbon cycle designed to do?
Influence carbon transfers
Mitigate the impacts of climate change
For the river catchment case study field data should be used to help consider what two things?
- The impact of precipitation on drainage basin stores and transfers.
- Implications for sustainable water supply and/or flooding.
