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A level physical geography > water and carbon cycle > Flashcards

water and carbon cycle Flashcards

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1
Q

define energy

A

the ability to do work

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2
Q

define flow/transfer

A

a form of linkage between one store and another that involves movement of energy/mass

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3
Q

define input

A

the addition of matter/energy into a system

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4
Q

define output

A

the result of the processes within a system

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5
Q

define store/component

A

a part of a system where energy/mass is stored or transformed

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6
Q

define a system

A

a set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process

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7
Q

define elements

A

things that make up a system

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8
Q

define attributes

A

the perceived characteristics of an element

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9
Q

define relationships

A

descriptions of how the various elements work together to carry out some kindof process

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10
Q

what are the simplifications of the relationships between components in the earth called

A

models

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11
Q

give an example of a model

A

the water cycle

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12
Q

what are the characteristic of a system

A

they have a structure that lies within a boundary

they are generalisations of reality

function by having inputs and outputs of material

involve the flow of material between components

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13
Q

what can systems be classified as

A

isolated
closed
open

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14
Q

define an isolated system

A

these have no interactions with anything outside of the system boundary
these are rare in nature
there is no input or output of energy or matter

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15
Q

define a closed system

A

these have transfers of energy both into and beyond the system boundary but not transfer of matter

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15
Q

define a closed system

A

these have transfers of energy both into and beyond the system boundary but not transfer of matter

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16
Q

define a closed systems

A

these are where matter and energy can be transferred in and out of the system boundary

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17
Q

define dynamic equilibrium

A

when there is a balance between the inputs and outputs of a system
natural state of balance

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18
Q

define positive feedback

A

when the effects of an action are amplified by knock-on secondary effects

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19
Q

define negative feedback

A

when the effects of an action are nullified by its knock-on secondary effects

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20
Q

how much of total water is fresh water?

A

2.5% and 99% of it is in the cryosphere

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21
Q

Name the 3 types of rainfall

A

frontal
convectional
relief

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22
Q

describe relief rainfall

A

Moist air is forced to rise due to hills and mountains causing it to cool and condense and rain.

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23
Q

Describe frontal rainfall

A

warm and cold air masses meet and the lighter warm air is forced to rise over the colder denser air leading it to cool and condense forming rain

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24
Q

Describe convectional rainfall

A

Hot air heated by the sun rises and as it rises it begins to cool and condense and heavy dark storm clouds tend to form (cumulo nimbus)

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25
Q

define drainage basin

A

an area of land drained by a river and its tributaries

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26
Q

Define watershed

A

An imaginary line separating drainage basins and is usually a ridge of high land

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27
Q

define stemflow

A

direction of precipitation down a plants leaves and branches and stems

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28
Q

How do you calculate the water budget?

A

precipitation =

runoff + evaporation +/- change in storage

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29
Q

What is base flow in a flood hydrograph?

A

normal day to day discharge of the river as a consequence of groundwater seeping into the river

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30
Q

What is overland flow?

A

All water running on the surface

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31
Q

What is the falling / receding limb

A

how long it takes for river discharge to reduce

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32
Q

What 7 factors can affect the shape of a flood hydrograph?

drainage

A 
rock type
land use
relief
temperature
antecedent conditions
rainfall
basin shape/size/density
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33
Q

How can drainage density affect discharge?

A 
low density (less tributaries) = longer lag time 
high = shorter lag time
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34
Q

Define spatially

A

over different areas e.g. rural and urban

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35
Q

Define temporally

A

Over time e.g. seasons, temperature

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36
Q

Explain the effects of deforestation on the water cycle.

A

There is less interception by trees so surface run off increases and soil water storage and transpiration decreases

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37
Q

Explain the effect of storm events on the water cycle

A

Large and quick amounts of rainfall saturate the ground to its field capacity and increases run off. Less water infiltrating in the soil and percolating into rock reduces replenishment of water stores

Urbanisation also causes more impermeable surfaces

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38
Q

Explain the effect of seasonal changes on the water cycle

A

Spring - there is more interception due to more vegetation.

summer- less rain and can make the ground harder and more impermeable

Autumn - more rainfall and less interception

Winter- hard frozen ground which may be impermeable, snow discourages run off and takes a long time to melt slowing down processes in the cycle

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39
Q

Define irrigation

A

Movement of water through human intervention

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40
Q

Explain the effects of pastoral farming

A

Livestock can trample the ground making it more compact reducing infiltration.

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41
Q

Explain the effects of arable farming on the water cycle

A

Ploughing increases infiltration however drainage ditches increase surface run off and stream flow

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42
Q

Define field capacity

A

The maximum possible level of water in the soil

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43
Q

What else is the water budget dependant on?

A

Type, depth and permeability of soil and bedrock

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44
Q

Describe the soil water budget in autumn.

A

There is a greater input from precipitation than there is an output in evapotranspiration as deciduous trees loose their leaves and less photosynthesis occurs - water surplus

45
Q

describe the soil water budget in winter

A

Potential evapotranspiration reaches a minimum and precipitation continues to refill water stores

46
Q

Describe the soil water budget in summer

A

Utilisation of soil water in evapotranspiration peaks and rainfall is at a minimum so output is grater than input and soil water stores are depleting

47
Q

Describe the soil water budget in spring

A

Potential evapotranspiration increases but there is still a water surplus

48
Q

Define abstraction

A

Taking water from rivers and lakes etc

49
Q

define salinisation

A

when too much water is removed causing salt to get into groundwater stores

50
Q

Define leaching

A

too much water leads to chemicals in soil to leach out of soil

51
Q

Define eutrophication

A

When chemicals get into water stores / flows and can poison aquatic life

52
Q

Define unconfined aquifer

A

susceptible to contamination and is closer to the surface

53
Q

Define confined aquifer

A

less prone to contamination due to rock seal

54
Q

What are the consequences of over-abstraction

A

Impacts of flows of water
subsidence
saltwater intrusion
impacts on stores of water

55
Q

How does over abstraction impact flows of water

A

Streams either gain water from inflow of ground water or lose water by outflow to groundwater

Aquifers can impact quantity and flow of water in a river

56
Q

how can over abstraction lead to subsidence

A

Loss of water can lead to collapse of rock

57
Q

How can over abstraction lead to salt water intrusion

A

When water is pumped from an aquifer near or that contains saline groundwater it can cause the salt water / fresh water boundary to move and the salt water can contaminate fresh water supplies

58
Q

How can over abstraction impact stores of water

A

Lowering of lake levels by pumping can affect the ecosystems supported by the lake and have negative effects on shoreline structures

59
Q

What is the difference between a flashy and subdued hydrograph

A

flashy - short lag time and steep rising and falling limbs with a higher flood risk and high peak discharge

subdued - long lag time with gradual rising and falling limbs with low peak discharge and a lower flood risk

60
Q

What are some natural factors that affect flood hydrographs

A 
Rainfall intensity 
drainage density 
small basin 
shape of basin 
precipitation 
vegetation
61
Q

What are some human factors that can affect the shape of a flood hydrograph

A

urbanisation
land use
deforestation

62
Q

What is an aquifer

A

It is a long term water store

63
Q

Describe the pattern of water storage

A

oceans have 97% of water

2.5% Of all water is fresh water and 69% is stored in glaciers

64
Q

What does low pressure and high pressure cause?

A

low pressure - rising warm air - heavy rainfall

high pressure - descending cooler air - arid / unstable

65
Q

define weathering

A

Breaking down or dissolving rocks and minerals on Earths surface

66
Q

What is physical weathering

A

Freeze thaw - water enters cracks, freezes and expands widening cracks

Exfoliation - cracks parallel to the Earths surface due to erosion

67
Q

Define biological weathering

A

Roots of plants and animals burrow down weakening the structure of the rock and break it down

68
Q

Define chemical weathering

A

Rocks such as limestone and chalk dissolve in acid rain

69
Q

What are the 7 transfers of carbon in the carbon cycle

A 
Photosynthesis
decomposition 
combustion 
sequestration transfer of carbon 
respiration 
weathering and erosion
diffusion - oceans can absorb co2
70
Q

What is the size and distribution of carbon in the lithosphere

A

marine and sedimentary rock (100 000b tonnes) the largest store of carbon and is a long-term store of carbon as rocks take millions of years to form.

Fossil fuel (4000b tonnes) important long term stores of carbon which have been exploited since the industrial revolution

71
Q

Describe the size and distribution of carbon in the hydrosphere

A

(3800b tonnes) The oceans are a very important store of carbon as they absorb CO2 and river water discharges carbon carried in solution

72
Q

Describe the size and distribution of carbon in the biosphere

A

Soil and organic matter (1500b tonnes) carbon can remain in the soil for hundreds of years. It also contains rotting matter

Terrestrial plants (560b tonnes) can store carbon for hundreds of years and transfer it to soil

73
Q

Describe the size and distribution of carbon in the atmosphere

A

(750b tonnes) Carbon is held in the form of CO2

74
Q

What processes can cause carbon to move quickly

A

Combustion, respiration and carbon sequestration because they release carbon quickly and happens in a short amount of time

75
Q

What processes move carbon slowly

A

Decomposition as carbon is released over a longer period of time for example fossil fuel creation which takes place over millions of years

76
Q

What biome stores the least amount of carbon and why

A

The tundra because of its freezing conditions so decomposition takes longer and there is also smaller biodiversity

77
Q

How does combustion of biomass alter levels of carbon in the atmosphere

A

Plant carbon is released into the atmosphere in the event of a wildfire
dense areas of carbon storing plants are eliminated that would take CO2 put of the atmosphere
Lost plants are replaced with new plants and young plants don’t store as much carbon
Exposed soil releases co2 from the decaying matter

78
Q

What are some natural causes of carbon variation in the planet

A

volcanic eruptions

wildfires

79
Q

How significant are natural causes of carbon variation to our planet

A

volcanic eruptions contribute a relatively low amount CO2 to the atmosphere and wildfires are estimated to make up around 5-10% of annual carbon emissions whereas in the US household consumption makes up 20% of their emissions

80
Q

What are some natural causes of variation in the carbon cycle

A

wildfire

Volcanic activity

81
Q

What human impacts can cause changes to the carbon cycle

A

fossil fuel use - co2 levels in the atmosphere have increased by 40% since the industrial revolution

Deforestation

Agriculture

82
Q

What is the carbon budget

A

balance between inputs and outputs in a store

The balance of exchanges

83
Q

How has the carbon budget changed since the industrial revolution?

A

The dynamic equilibrium is being lost so there are more emissions than storage

Amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by 40% since the industrial revolution

84
Q

What are the impacts of the carbon cycle on the land

A

It is a source of energy - wood

Increased CO2 can lead to increased growing seasons and decay

Carbon cycle is responsible for the formation and development of soil which is essential for plant growth and nutrients

85
Q

What are the impacts of the carbon cycle on the oceans

A

30% of released co2 is absorbed into the oceans creating carbonic acid and ocean pH has dropped by 0.1 since 1975

Melting sea ice affects primary producers and food chains and animals can no longer travel on ice

can lead to more phytoplankton

Oceans are expected to rise by 0.8-2mm by 2100

poses a threat to coral reefs which provides food and livelihood security for millions a fall in marine biology can threaten food security

phytoplankton are very sensitive to salinity and temperature and if they cant adapt their numbers may diminish

86
Q

What is the ocean conveyer belt?

A

It is very important to our climate as it is a combination of currents that results in 4/5 global oceans exchanging water with each other

87
Q

What is thermohaline circulation

A

The movement of water dependant on temperature and salinity

88
Q

How does melting polar ice caps affect thermohaline circulation

A

There would be a reduction in salinity leading to a reduced density so the North Atlantic current would not be heavy enough to sink

89
Q

Define climate mitigation

A

actions put in place to reduce or stop climate change

90
Q

What is alternative energy production?

A

They are alternative sources of energy often referred to as renewable as they can be quickly replenished and can be used indefinitely e.g. solar, wind, HEP

91
Q

How do alternative energy resources help to reduce co2

A

they don’t emit co2 as a biproduct
for example solar power uses pv cells and convert uv rays into electricity

A 100% solar strategy by 2050 would reduce ghg emissions by 119%

92
Q

What are some possible problems with alternative energy

A

If there is no sun there will be no power with solar power

Wind takes up space and is noisy

HEP is expensive

93
Q

What is carbon capture

A

Ways to capture co2 from power plants and factories and safely store it in the ground

94
Q

How does carbon capture work to reduce co2 in the atmosphere

A

it allows time to develop renewable energy and these mechanisms have already captured 40 million tonnes of co2

95
Q

What are some possible problems with carbon capture

A

it may distract governments from the need to convert to renewable energy

carbon leaching may occur

Amount of money going into developing carbon capture may double the price of electricity and waste money which could be invested in green energy

96
Q

What is afforestation?

A

Plant more trees in order to absorb more co2

97
Q

How does afforestation help to reduce co2 in the atmosphere?

A

Trees photosynthesis and convert co2 into oxygen

Younger trees also absorb co2 quicker

98
Q

What are some problems associated with afforestation?

A

We would need lots of trees for forests to become a net carbon sink which isn’t very realistic

99
Q

What are some international agreements on climate change mitigation?

A

COP21 - an agreement made by 195 nations on climate change

Paris 2015 - agreement to cut GHG emissions and to keep temperature rise to a maximum of 2C

Kyoto - commits state parties to reducing GHG

by getting lots of countries to sign we can make a global difference

100
Q

What are some possible problems wit international agreements regarding climate mitigation?

A

it is unfair to ask other countries such as China to reduce their emissions as it will mean their economy will suffer and historically the UK and USA had emitted large amounts of CO2 during their industrial revolutions

USA has backed out of the paris agreement

101
Q

how does soil drainage affect the water cycle

A

subsurface drainage removes excess water from the soil profile and this lowers the water table to the depth of the tiles over the course of several days

102
Q

what are the advantages of soil drainage

A

increases productivity of a field
improved aeration increases rate at which organic matter is broken down into humus

heavy machinery can work on land without danger of compaction

103
Q

what are the disadvantages of soil drainage

A

increases speed of throughflow
increased likelihood of flood and range of flow in rivers
dry topsoil can be subject to wind erosion
can lead to eutrophication

104
Q

what’s a disadvantage of water abstraction

A

sinking water tables which can lead to saline intrusion degrading the groundwater

can make rivers less reliable

105
Q

what is the main cause of groundwater over exploitation

A

irrigation
example
Greek Argolid plain it is common to find boreholes 400m deep contaminated by seawater intrusion

106
Q

what can reduction in abstraction lead to

A

groundwater levels recovering by as much as 3m/yr in places

107
Q

What is a carbon pump and vertical deep mixing

A

where carbon dioxide is transported from the ocean surface to the ocean depths by sinking cold water in the high latitudes

if brought to the surface the cold water will warm up and release some of its carbon dioxide to the atmosphere

108
Q

what are the impacts of ocean acidification

A

carbonic acid reacts with carbonate ions to form bicarbonate
lack of carbonate ions means animals need to expend more energy to make their shells so they become thinner

significant reef loss leads to consequent fall in marine biodiversity threatening the survival of coastal communities and reduce capacity of coasts to be able to buffer impact of sea level rise

109
Q

what does ocean warming lead to

A

limit ability of ocean to take carbon from the atmosphere through biological carbon pump - phytoplankton

kills symbiotic algae

110
Q

describe melting sea ice

A

arctic retreat of 12.8% per decade

111
Q

what is radiative forcing

A

balance between incoming and outgoing energy and if it is anything but zero there will be warming

A level physical geography (3 decks)

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