Water And Carbon Cycle ! Flashcards
What is a system
-an assemblage of interrelated parts that works together by wage if some driving force
-set of steps to make something happen
What is an open system
When changes occur due to inputs and outputs
What is a closed system
Energy moved in and out of the system
What is a isolated system
A physical system so far removed from other systems that it does not interact with them. No inputs or outputs
What is positive and negative feedback
-positive: When the effects of an action are increased by changes to the input/output/ processes
-negative: occurs when the effects of an action are decreased by changes to the output/inputs and processes
What is an attribute
The characteristics of the elements (hot or cold)
What are the 5 subsystems on earth
-atmosphere (air)
-lithosphere (geology)
-hydrosphere (water)
-biosphere (organic life)
-cryosphere (ice)
What is the cascading system
the transfer of mass and energy along a chain of component subsystems, such that the output from one subsystem becomes the input for the adjacent subsystem.
-connections between the 5 subsystems
What is the process called solid - liquid
Fusion
What is the process called liquid - gas
Vaporisation
What is the process called solid - gas
Sublimation
What are the factors that change the magnitude of water stores
-evaporation
-transpiration
-condensation
-evatranspiration
What is evaporation and what does the rate of evaporation depend upon:
-occurs when energy from solar radiation hits the surface of water or land and causes liquid water to change to gas
-depends on:
•the amount of solar energy
•availability of water
•humidity of the air
•temperature of the air
What is transpiration and it’s link to water cycle
-of a plant or leaf the exhalation of water vapour
-water is lost through the leaves and either evaporates into the hydrosphere or falls into the lithosphere
What is condensation and how does it help the movement of water in water cycle
-water which collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air is in contact with it.
-gas - liquid
-Movement of water vapour onto lithosphere, biosphere and cryosphere
How is condensation caused
-air is forced to rise over hills
-masses of air if different temperatures and densities meet. The less dense air rises over the denser cold air
-localised warm surfaces heat the air above. This expands and becomes less dense and rises
What is evapotranspiration
Water evaporating from the soil to the at atmosphere via transpiration of moving water to the leaves and evaporating there
What is latent heat and what is the process
-the heat required to convert a solid into a liquid or vapour, or a liquid into a vapour, without change of temperature
1.water molecules become heated by the sun
2. They become agitated and break the bonds between them
3. However there is not enough heat in the sun ray to do this
4. Water molecules absorb energy form their surroundings to give them the final energy that they need to break
5. The latent heat is taken from the surroundings and it cools the surroundings down
What happens to the latent heat with condensation
Latent heat is released by the water molecules as they slow down and join together. Causes warming of surrounding.
What is the formation of a cloud
I. Condensation occurs and warm air rises and cools.
2.the relative humidity of the air increases.
3.water vapor condenses on smoke, dust, salt, and other small particals.
4.millions of tiny water drops of liquid water collect to form a cloud.
5. When the cloud becomes saturated it cannot hold any more water droplets and so it releases them and they fall down to the earth
6. This cycle repeats itself
Definitions of: atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial and cryospheric water
-atmospheric: water found in the atmosphere
-oceanic: water contained in the earths oceans and seas but not inland seas
-terrestrial: consists of groundwater, soil moisture, lakes, wetlands and rivers
-cryospheric: water in the earths ice
Facts about oceanic water
-72% of earths surface
-1,370,000,000km3
Facts about atmospheric water
-0.04% of worlds freshwater
-0.001% of total water
-12,900 km2
Factors causing the magnitude of global water stores to vary over time
-melting of sea ice
-evaporation of water
-water onto land
-animals/plants dying
-respiration
-temperature rising/cool
What is drainage basin
An area of land where all flowing surface water converges into a single point
How to calculate water storage
Water storage: Precipitation -runoff -evaporation
What is soil moisture budget and reasons for change
The change in amount of water stored in soil throughout the year
Main factors:
-precipitation
-potential evaporation.
-temperature
River regime: what is river discharge
The amount of water flowing through river channel, measured at any given point in cubic meters per second
-change in river discharge reacts to:
-precipitation
-temperature
-evaporation
-discharge basin characters
What is deforestation, it’s link to the water cycle and it’s impacts
-the action of clearing a wide area of trees.
-lack of vegetation leaves fewer leaves to catch water, fewer roots to absorb water as a result there is more run off
-evaportransportation is lower
-increase rainfall leads to decrease in discharge
-more flash floods
What is agricultural soil drainage, it’s link to the water cycle and it’s impacts
-These are generally open type ditches which are placed to carry the water from areas of land which have got too much of it or are prone to becoming water-logged to areas in need of water or natural rivers / run off areas.
-reduces the amount of water that will move into soil, subsurface drainage provided by ditches, diverts water to streams
What is water abstraction, it’s link to the water cycle and it’s impacts
-Taking water from a surface source (such as a river, stream or canal) or from an underground source for flood control
-can alter the natural flow regime, affecting flows to springs wetlands lakes and rivers
What is El Niño , it’s link to the water cycle and it’s impacts
-refers to a warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures, in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
-lower terrestrial moisture, affect global average volume of evapotransporation
What is tropical storms, it’s link to the water cycle and it’s impacts
Localised intense low pressure wind system forming over oceans above 27degrees with winds of hurricane force
-increase in water and snow,
What is Drought , it’s link to the water cycle and it’s impacts
-defined as drier then normal conditions with a moisture deficit
-lack of water in some areas while others have more
Physical factors that affect the water cycle
-droughts
-precipitation levels
-presence of vegetation
-evaporation rates
-soil properties
-weather events
-relief/ topography
-desertification
Human factors that affect the water cycle
-urbanisation
-deforestation
-farming practices
-water abstraction
-irrigation methods
-desertification
Carbon cycle
What is carbon
-found in all life forms as well as sedimentary rocks. Found in atmosphere, soil, oceans.
-recycling of carbon is essential for life on earth
-it follows the carbon cycle, it is complex process carbon goes through as it transformed from organic carbon to inorganic carbon and back
What is the origins of carbon
-primary source of carbon is earths interior
-stored in the mantle, and escapes at constructive and destructive plate boundary
-carbon separates out in to different stores
Carbon stores %
Marine: 69%
Ocean: 26%
Atmosphere: 1%
Fossil fuels: 3%
What is a carbon sink
A store that absorbs more carbon then it releases
What is carbon sequestration
The capture of CO2 from the atmosphere before it is released into the atmosphere. It can be captured and put into long term storage
Where are global stores of terrestrial ecosystem
-higher carbon shores are in Canada, north Europe, South Asia with rates rates from 100-150 tonnes per HA.
-this is because these areas have more forest areas/vegetation which take in carbon
-North Africa, Middle East and Australia carbon rates are lower due to lack of this
What is pedosphere
The outmost layer of the earth that is composed of soil and subject to soil formation processes
What system is the carbon cycle and why
-closed system
-there are inputs and outputs but the amount of carbon stays the same.
-carbon moves form one store to another in a continuous cycle.
What is a net carbon source
When more carbon leaves then enters the store
What is a carbon store
The total amount of material of carbon held within a part of the system. How much and where it is.
-pg per year is the unit
Why does carbon stores amount not stay the same
-carbon fluctuates as it is released, and flows into other carbon stores and so carbon is always being released and taken in
What are the 5 major carbon stores
-lithosphere
-hydrosphere
-atmosphere
-biosphere
-cryosphere
Major carbon stores: lithosphere
-the rigid out part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper crust
-carbon is stored in the lithosphere in both inorganic and organic forms. These include fossil fuels, coal, natural gas and limestone.
-up to 100m Gtc
Major carbon stores: hydrosphere
-Storage of carbon in the oceans
-divided into 3: the surface layer, the intermediate and deep layer, cloning organic matter
-37,000-40,000 Gtc
Major carbon stores: atmosphere
-gas found in the earths atmosphere
-7000 ppm
-happens when plants release carbon, condensation, volcanic eruption, non renewable gases.
Major carbon stores: biosphere
-total sum of all living matter
-found in living vegetation, plant littler, soil humus, peat and animals
-3170 Gtc
Major carbon stores: cryosphere
-the carbon that stored in frozen water. Ice caps, glaciers, sea ice.
-1400gtc
8 Transfers of carbon
-Weathering
-photosynthesis
-respiration
-decomposition
-combustion
-burial and compaction
-carbon sequestration
-ocean up take and loss, carbon pumps
Transfers of carbon: photosynthesis
-plants take in carbon
-adds more carbon into the atmosphere when they are cut down, creating global warming
- take in and reduce carbon when they aren’t deforested creating global cooling
Transfers of carbon: respiration
-Respiration is when plants breath in carbon and release oxygen
-adds more carbon into the atmosphere when they are cut down, creating global warming
- take in and reduce carbon when they aren’t deforested creating global cooling
Transfers of carbon: combustion
-organic material contains carbon.
-when it is burned the presence of oxygen s converted into energy, carbon dioxide and water
Transfers of carbon: carbon sequestration
-geological sequestration: co2 is captured at its source and then injected in liquid form to store underground
-terrestrial and biological sequestration: plants capture co2 from the atmosphere and then store it as carbon in the stem and roots of the plant
Carbon cycle on a verity of scale: local
-carbon cycle of a tree
Carbon cycle on a verity of scale: ecosystem scale
Eg/ Amazon rainforest
Carbon cycle on a verity of scale: continental scale
Australasia: mass amounts of forestry with high temperatures can cause natural wild fires across the continent. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Global warming on a continental scale
What is a quaternary period
2.6 million years ago to present day
What are the impacts of temperature on carbon cycles: colder temperatures
-cold rainwater can hold more co2 -> chemical weathering is more active
-first coverage would be very different-> affects the significance and distribution of process such as respiration and photosynthesis
-decomposers would be less effective -> carbon transfers to teh souls is reduced
-more water stored as ice-> less transferred to the oceans, less sediment transfers along rivers and less sediment build up on ocean floor
-soil is frozen over vast amounts of land -> stopped co2 soil transfer
What are the impacts of temperatures on carbon cycle: warmer temperatures
-melting of permafrost -> releases previously trapped gases -> enhances greenhouse effect -> positive feedback system leading to further destabilisation of systems
How does wildfires affect the carbon cycle
-they can be started naturally/man made and are hard to put out depending on the geological amount
-1997-1978 and 2003 Indonesia had mass amounts of wildfires that were out of control
-smoke spread through Asia
-release of large amounts of co2
-affect green house affect
-affects temperatures (movement of carbon)
How does volcanic activity affect the carbon cycle
-return carbon that has been trapped in the lithosphere for millions of years
-during Palaeolithic era, volcanoes were more active then they were today
-carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere
-volcanoes emit between 130-150 million tonnes of co2 per year
-human activities release 30billion tonnes a year
-volcanoes erupt lava which contains sillicates that slowly weather, this converts carbon dioxide in the air to carbonate in solution
-
How does eccentricity affect the carbon cycle
-it is the change of the shape of the earths orbit around the sun. Currently our planets orbit is almost a perfect circle
-doesn’t cause mass amounts of affect in increasing the co2
-when the earths orbit is elliptical we spend less time close to the sun in the span of a single year. This means we get less solar energy on an annual basis and tends to cool the earth
What is orbital changes: milankovitch cycle
-this measures the carbon dioxide vs the temperature change per every 50000 years
-assuming the graphs are correct it shows there is a delay of temperature change from when co2 is emitted
-the temperatures start to rise at the end of the glacial period resulting in affects to carbon stores eg/ cryosphere
-melting of icecaps enhances the greenhouse effect
What is carbon budget
-uses data to describe the amount of carbon that is stored and transferred within the carbon cycle
-can be measured by Petegrams
-vast majority of carbon is stored in the crust and oceans
-relatively low amounts are stored in the atmosphere and plants. This is because the transfers are extremely active.
What is slow and fast carbon cycle: slow
-through a serious of biochemical reactions and tectonic activity, carbon takes between 100-200 million years to more to transfer between rocks, soil, ocean, and atmosphere in the slow carbon cycle.
What is slow and fast carbon cycle: fast
The time it takes carbon to move through the fast carbon cycle is measured in a lifespan. The fast carbon cycle is largely the movement of carbon through life forms on earth or the biosphere.
What are the impacts of the carbon budget
-the gases absorb long wage radiation from the earth and lower atmosphere. This enables life to exist in earth
-this is known as the greenhouse affect
-anthropogenic activities have increased the concentration of G.H.G making them more effective in trapping radiation
Changes in the carbon cycle : human causes
-burning fossil fuels
-land use (forest to agricultural use)
-farming practices (cattle farms)
-carbon sequestration: soil, geological, terrestrial/biological
-deforestation
-urbanisation
-cement production
Human causes: burning fossil fuels
-natural sources of energy from the remains of living organisms
-long term carbon stores, most of the worlds gas and oil is extracted from rocks that are 70-100m years old
-when burnt to generate energy the stored carbon is released, primarily as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
-this accelerated the cycling of carbon
Main emission:
•electricity and heat generation 41%
•transport sector 22%
•industrial sector 20%
Human causes: land use
-responsible for 10% of carbon released globally
-impacts short term stores and has direct links to issues of climate change and global warming
-on a local scale they can have significant impact on small scale carbon cycles
Human causes: farming practices
-ploughing harvesting, reading livestock, using machinery, fertilisers based on fossil fuels release carbon
-cattle emits 5.5m tonnes of methane into the atmosphere each year
-2011 cattle made up 39% of whole of the agricultural carbon emissions. Thsi increased by 11% from 2001-2011
-rice yields in Asia and NA have increased by 25% causing an increase of 40% of methane
Carbon sequestration: soil, geological, terrestrial
Soil: organic agriculture can remove the carbon from air and Sequestrate 7000 pounds of co2 per acre each year.
Geological: co2 is captured and injected as a liquid deep underground in a variety of stores, oceans Carry mass amounts of co2, co2 sinks to the bottom of the ocean and enters the earths geological cycle
Terrestrial: the use of plants to capture co2 and store it within its roots/stems. Plants give out carbon through forest fires, and when the plants die and decompose in the earths surface
Human causes: deforestation
-around 13m hectares of forest are cut down and changed to other land uses every year
-used for building, ranching, mining or growing commercial crops
-deforestation in Amazon accounts of 20% of all co2 emissions
-3% of the forest was lost between 1990-2005 at a rate of 200km2
-however, more plants can grow quickly in areas of deforestation with take in carbon
Human causes: urbanisation
-over half of the worlds population lives in urban areas. This is expected to reach 60% by 2030
-co2 emissions from energy consumption is increasing
-in 2012 cities were responsible for 47% of global carbon emissions
-build up of urban areas over previously rural areas means that impermeable surfaces can’t take in carbon
Human causes: cement production
-cement production contributes 2-5% of global carbon emissions
What is climate change mitigation
Refers to efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases. Mitigation can mean using new technology and renewable energy, making older equipment more energy efficient or changing management or cares more energy efficient.
What is the links between water and carbon
Water has the ability to absorb and transfer carbon dioxide. Eg/ oceans, rain, rivers
