Water and Carbon Ao2 Flashcards
Talk about Greenland and their ice caps
In Greenland, for instance, ice sheets are melting at an accelerating rate of 250 gigatonnes per year, contributing to 0.7mm of global rising sea levels. This impacts not only local hydrological systems but also global climate patterns by disrupting ocean currents such as the North Atlantic Drift.”
Talk about the chalk aquifier
The Chalk Aquifer in southeast England supplies around 70% of londons drinking water with high percolation rates due to its porous limestone and chalk geology, allowing significant groundwater storage.
Talk about Texas and surface runoff
Houston, Texas, has seen a 26% increase in surface runoff over the past 50 years due to urban expansion.
Talk about Extreme flooding in Germany
In July 2021, Western Germany and Belgium experienced extreme flooding due to record rainfall of 148mm in 24 hours, causing over 180 deaths and billions in damages.
Talk about the Sahel region and seasonal variations in rainfall
The Sahel region in Africa experiences extreme seasonal variations in rainfall, with 80-90% of annual precipitation falling in just three months
Talk about the Amazon basin and deforestation
The Amazon Basin has lost over 17% of its forest cover since 1970, reducing transpiration and increasing surface runoff
Talk about California’s central valley in relation to water
California’s Central Valley produces over one-third of the USA’s vegetables, but intensive irrigation has caused groundwater depletion of over 1 meter per year in some areas,
Talk about London and surface runoff
In London, 80% of surfaces are impermeable, increasing surface runoff and flood risk. The July 2021 flash floods saw 100 mm of rain fall in just 90 minutes,
Talk about rainfall and the Lake District
The UK experiences relief rainfall particularly in western areas such as the Lake District where moist air from the Atlantic is forced over high ground- causing over 2,000mm annual rainfall, one of highest in the UK
Talk about the Mt Tambora eruption
The 1815 Mt Tambora eruption in Indonesia produced so much sulfuric dioxide gas, it blocked radiation from the sun lowering global temperatures bu 0.7 degrees. In this way, volcanos can influence the carbon cycle y reducing photosynthesis rates. over 130 million metric tonnes a year
How much as extraction increased by
Since 1970, extraction has grown from 6 to 15 billion tonnes—three times faster than population growth. This also harms ecosystems and reduces vegetation, limiting CO₂ absorption through photosynthesis.
Talk about the IPPC facts about fossil fuel extraction
According to the IPPC, 90% of human made C02 emmissions comes from the combustion of fossil fuels and 10% from land use changes. Half of both is absorbed by the oceans and vegetation the other half absorbed into the atmoshphere
Talk about orca
Iceland holds the biggest carbon capture plant which obtains around 4,000 tones a year, However we produce 31 BILLION TONNES EVERY YEAR
ORCA- The largest plant in Iceland. It uses direct removal from the atmosphere consisting on 8 collector containers
Talk about Armaco
ARMACO- designed mobile carbon capturing directly from the exhaust of heavy duty trucks and marine ships, allowing a reduction by 25%
Talk about wetland restoration
By protecting 6-8 million hectares of wetland allowing natural regrowth sequesting about 1gigaton of C02 by 2050.
