Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physical Geography > Water and Carbon Cycle > Flashcards

Water and Carbon Cycle Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

what are systems composed of?

A
  • inputs
  • outputs
  • stores
  • flows
  • boundaries
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

define inputs

A

where matter or energy is added to the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

define outputs

A

where matter or energy leaves the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

define stores

A

where matter or energy builds up in the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

define flows

A

where matter or energy moves in the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

define boundaries

A

limits to the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are open systems?

A

when systems receive inputs and transfer outputs of energy or matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are closed systems?

A

when energy inputs equal outputs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is dynamic equilibrium in a system?

A

when inputs equal outputs despite changing conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is positive feedback?

A

when a chain of events amplifies the impacts of the original event

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is negative feedback?

A

a chain of events that nullifies the impacts of the original event, leading to dynamic equilibrium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are systems on a local scale?

A

open systems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what are systems on a global scale?

A

closed systems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

how can water be lost in a local drainage basin system?

A

through evapotranspiration and runoff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

how can water be gained in a local drainage basin system?

A

through precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

why is a local scale an open system?

A

the inputs and outputs are not balanced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

define precipitation

A

any water that falls to the surface of the earth from the atmousphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what are the three types of rainfall?

A
  • convectional
  • relief
  • frontal
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

define convectional rainfall

A

due to heating by the sun, warm air rises, condenses at higher altitudes and falls as rain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

define relief rainfall

A

warm air is forced upward by a barrier (mountains) casino g it to condense at higher altitudes and fall as rain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

define frontal rainfall

A

warm air rises over cool air when two bodies off air at different temperatures meet because the warm air is less dense, so lighter. It condenses at higher altitudes and falls as rain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is the main input?

A

precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what are the two main types of output?

A
  • evapotranspiration

- streamflow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

define evapotranspiration

A

evaporation occurs when water is heated causing it to become gas and rise into the atmosphere. Transpiration occurs in plants when they respire through their leaves, releasing water they absorb through their roots, which then evaporate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

define streamflow

A

all water that enters a drainage Bain will either leave through the atmosphere or through streams which drain the basin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what are the seven types of flows?

A
  • infiltration
  • percolation
  • throughflow
  • surface runoff
  • groundwater flow
  • streamflow
  • stemflow
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

define infiltration

A

the process of water moving from above ground into the soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

define percolation

A

water moves from the ground or soil into porous rock or rock fractures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

define throughflow

A

water moves through the soil and into streams or rivers . speed of the flow is dependant on the type of soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

define surface runoff

A

water flows above the ground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

define groundwater flow

A

water moves through the rocks, which ensures that there is water in rivers even after a long period of dry weather

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

define streamflow

A

water that moves through established channels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

define stemflow

A

flow of water that has been intercepted by plants or tress, down a stem, leaf, branch or other parts of a plant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

what are the five stores?

A
  • soil water
  • groundwater
  • river channel
  • interception
  • surface storage
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

define soil water

A

water stored in the soil which is utilised by plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

define groundwater

A

water that is stored in the pore spaces of rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

define river channel

A

water that is stored in a river

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

define interception

A

water intercepted by plants on their branches and leaves before reaching the ground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

define surface storage

A

water stored in puddles, ponds, lakes, etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

what’s is the water table?

A

the upper level at which the pore spaces and fractures in the ground become saturated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

what is the water balance?

A

the process of water storage and transfer in a drainage basin system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

what formula does the water balance use?

A

Precipitation = total runoff + evapotranspiration +/- (change in) storage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

what are the five impacts on the water cycle on a local scale?

A
  • deforestation
  • storm events
  • seasonal changes
  • agriculture
  • urbanisation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

how is the water cycle impacted on a local scale by deforestation?

A
  • less interception by trees, more runoff
  • soil no longer held together by roots - soil water storage decreases and there are fewer plants so transportation decreases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

how is the water cycle impacted on a local scale by storm events?

A

large amounts of rainfall quickly saturate the ground to its field capacity. No more water can infiltrate the soil, increasing the surface runoff. Storm events are therefore less effective at recharging water stores than prolonged rainfall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

how is the water cycle impacted on a local scale in spring (seasonal changes)?

A

more vegetation growth so more interception by vegetation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

what are the four ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by agriculture?

A
  • pastoral farming
  • arable farming
  • hillside terracing
  • irrigation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

what are the two ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by urbanisation?

A
  • roads and buildings

- green roofs and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

what is the soil water budget?

A

shows the annual balance between inputs and outputs in the water cycle and their impact on soil water storage/availability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

why is the water budget never the same each year?

A

due to varying conditions and the process is affected by how much rainfall/dry weather there is the previous year

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

what is the water budget dependant on?

A

type, death and permeability of the soil and bedrock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

what is field capacity?

A

the maximum possible level of storage of water on the soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

what happens to rainfall when the field capacity is reached?

A

rainfall will not infiltrate the soil and is likely to cause flooding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

how is the water cycle impacted on a local scale in summer (seasonal changes)?

A

less rain, so ground may be harder and more permeable encouraging surface runoff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

how is the water cycle impacted on a local scale in autumn (seasonal changes)?

A

less vegetation growth, so less interception

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

how is the water cycle impacted on a local scale in winter (seasonal changes)?

A

frozen ground may be impermeable and encourage runoff. Snow discourages runoff and takes time to melt, slowing down water cycle process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

how is does the soil water budget change in autumn?

A

greater input from precipitation than output from evapotranspiration as deciduous trees loose leaves and cool temperatures mean plants photosynthesis less. Soil moisture levels increase and a water surplus occurs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

what are the four ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by pastoral farming (agriculture)?

A

livestock trample the ground, reducing infiltration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

what are the four ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by arable farming (agriculture)?

A

ploughing increases infiltration by creating looser soil, which decreases surface runoff, but digging drainage basins increases surface runoff and streamflow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

what are the four ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by hillside terracing (agriculture)?

A

increases surface water storage and therefore decreases runoff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

what are the four ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by irrigation (agriculture)?

A

can lead to groundwater depletion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

what are the two ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by roads and buildings (urbanisation)?

A

they have impermeable surfaces and have drains which create impermeable surfaces that reduce infiltration but increase surface runoff, reducing ragtime and increasing flood risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

what are the two ways the water cycle impacted on a local scale by green roofs and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (urbanisation)?

A

they use grass and soil to reduce the amount of impermeable surfaces, and help reduce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

how is does the soil water budget change in winter?

A

potential evapotranspiration from plants reaches a minimum due to cold temperatures and the precipitation continues to refill the soil water stores. Infiltration and percolation refill the water table

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

how is does the soil water budget change in spring?

A

plants start to grow and potential evapotranspiration increases as temperatures get higher and plants photosynthesis more. Still water surplus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

how is does the soil water budget change in summer?

A

hot weather leads to utilisation of soil water as evapotranspiration peaks and rainfall is at a minimum. Output from evapotranspiration is greater than the input from precipitation so water stores are depleting. A water deficit may occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

what is the global water cycles largest store?

A

oceans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

what percent of global water is in oceans?

A

97%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

what percent of stores are freshwater?

A

2.5%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

what percent of freshwater is glaciers, ice caps and ice sheets?

A

69%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

what percent of freshwater is groundwater?

A

30%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

what four areas can water be stored in?

A
  • hydrosphere
  • lithosphere
  • cryosphere
  • atmosphere
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

define hydrosphere as a water store

A

any liquid water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

define lithosphere as a water store

A

water stored in the crust and upper mantle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

define cryosphere as a water store

A

any water that is frozen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

define atmosphere as a water store

A

water vapour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

what are aquifers?

A

underground water stores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

how long can shallow groundwater aquifers store water for?

A

200 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

how long can deep fossil aquifers store water for?

A

10,000 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

when were deeper fossil aquifers formed?

A

during wetter climatic periods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

how long can glaciers store water?

A

20-100 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

how long can lakes store water that are fed by glaciers?

A

50-100 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

how long do seasonal snow cover and rivers store water for?

A

2-6 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

how long does soil water store water for?

A

1-2 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

what is the main factor that determines cloud formation and rainfall?

A

the global atmospheric circulation model

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
86
Q

what are the five natural processes that cause the water cycle to change over time?

A
  • seasonal changes
  • storm events
  • droughts
  • El Nino and La Nina
  • cryospheric processes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from seasonal changes?

A
  • less precipitation, more evapotranspiration in summer
  • reduced flows in water cycle in winter as water is stored in ice
  • reduced interception in winter, when deciduous trees lose their leaves
  • increased evapotranspiration in summer, deciduous trees have leaves and higher temperatures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from storm events?

A

sudden increase in rainfall leads to flooding and replenishment of some water stores. Unlikely to cause long term change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
89
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from droughts?

A

causes major stores to be depleted and the activity of flows acting within the water cycle to decrease, may become more common from climate change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from el Nino and la Nina?

A
  • el nino effect occurs every 2-7 years causing warm temperatures in predictable ways
  • la Nina effect occurs every 2-7 years causing cooler temperatures in predictable ways
  • climate change will increase the probability of more el ninos in the future
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from cryospheric processes?

A
  • glaciers and icecaps used to store significant proportions of freshwater through accumulation
  • glaciers are shrinking so sea levels rise
  • if all glaciers and icecaps melt sea levels would rise 60 meters
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

what are the three human processes that cause the water cycle to change over time?

A
  • farming practices
  • land use change
  • water abstraction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from farming practices?

A
  • ploughing breaks the surface increasing infiltration
  • arable farming increases interception and evapotranspiration
  • pastoral farming compacts soil reducing infiltration and increasing runoff
  • irrigation removes water from local rivers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from land use change?

A
  • deforestation reduces interception, evapotranspiration but infiltration increase
  • construction reduces infiltration and evapotranspiration, but increases runoff
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

how has the water cycle changed over time from water abstraction?

A
  • reduces volume of water in surface stores
  • water abstraction increases in dry season
  • human abstraction from aquifers as an output to meet water demands is often greater than inputs to the aquifer, leading to a decline in global long term water stores
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
96
Q

what will cause the greatest changes to the water cycle?

A

the combination of human activity and natural variation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
97
Q

what is the low pressure zone at the equator called?

A

inter tropical convergence zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
98
Q

what is the intertropical convergence zone?

A

a narrow zone near the equator where northern and southern air masses converge, typically producing low atmospheric pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
99
Q

what is a flood hydrograph used to represent?

A

rainfall for the drainage basin of a river and the discharge of the same river

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
100
Q

what are the key components of a flood hydrograph?

A
  • discharge
  • rising limb
  • falling limb
  • lag time
  • baseflow
  • stormflow
  • bankfull discharge
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
101
Q

what is the discharge of a flood hydro-graph?

A

the volume of water passing through a cross sectional point of the river at any one point in time. Made up of the base flow and stormflow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
102
Q

what is the rising limb of a flood hydro-graph?

A

the line on the graph that represents the discharge increasing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
103
Q

what is the falling limb of a flood hydro-graph?

A

the line on the graph that represents the discharge decreasing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
104
Q

what is the lag time of a flood hydro-graph?

A

the time between peak rainfall and peak discharge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
105
Q

what is the base flow of a flood hydro-graph?

A

the level of groundwater flow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
106
Q

what is the stormflow of a flood hydro-graph?

A

comprised of overland flow and throughflow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
107
Q

what is the bankful discharge of a flood hydro-graph?

A

the maximum capacity of the river. If discharge exceeds this then the river will burst its banks and be in flood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
108
Q

what is a flashy hydrograph?

A

short lag time and high peak discharge, most likely to occur during a storm event, with favourable drainage basin characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
109
Q

what is subdued hydrograph?

A

long lag time and low peak discharge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
110
Q

what are the features of a flashy hydrograph?

A
  • short lag time
  • steep rising and falling limb
  • higher flood risk
  • high peak discharge
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
111
Q

what are the features of a subdued hydrograph?

A
  • long lag time
  • gradually rising and falling limb
  • lower flood risk
  • low peak discharge
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
112
Q

what are the nine natural causes of a flashy hydrograph?

A
  • high rainfall intensity
  • antecedent rainfall
  • impermeable underlying geology
  • high drainage density
  • small basin
  • circular basin
  • low temperatures
  • precipitation type
  • vegetation cover
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
113
Q

how does high rainfall intensity cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

higher discharge potential from the river and more likely for soil to reach its field capacity, increasing surface run off and decreasing lag time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
114
Q

how does antecedent rainfall cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

increased surface runoff as ground is saturated and soil has reached its field capacity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
115
Q

how does impermeable underlying geology cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

decreased percolation and therefore greater levels of throughflow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
116
Q

how does high drainage density cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

many tributaries to main river, increasing speed of drainage and decreasing the lag time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
117
Q

how does small basin cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

rainfall reaches the central river more rapidly, decreasing the lag time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
118
Q

how does circular basin cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

rainfall reaches the central river more rapidly, decreasing the lag time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
119
Q

how does low temperatures cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

less evapotranspiration, so greater peak discharge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
120
Q

how does precipitation type cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

snow or hail takes time to melt before moving towards the river, so rainfall increases the flooding risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
121
Q

how does vegetation cover cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

forested areas intercept more rainfall, decreasing the flood risk but exposed areas will transfer water to the river more rapidly, decreasing the lag time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
122
Q

what are the three human causes of the flashy hydrograph?

A
  • urbanisation
  • pastoral farming
  • deforestation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
123
Q

how does urbanisation cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

more impermeable surfaces, so runoff increased and surface storage and infiltration are reduced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
124
Q

how does pastoral farming cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

ground trampled so less interception and more surface runoff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
125
Q

how does deforestation cause a flashy hydrograph?

A

less interception by trees, so water reaches the ground and river more quickly. More surface runoff and greater flood risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
126
Q

on a local scale, what do transfers in the carbon cycle do?

A

act to drive and cause changes in the carbon cycle over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
127
Q

what do the transfers in the carbon cycle do?

A

drive and cause changes in the carbon cycle overtime

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
128
Q

what are the eight transfers in the carbon cycle?

A
  • photosynthesis
  • respiration
  • combustion
  • decomposition
  • diffusion
  • weathering and erosion
  • burial and compaction
  • carbon sequestration
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
129
Q

how is photosynthesis a transfer in the carbon cycle?

A

living organisms convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil, into oxygen and glucose using light energy. Photosynthesis helps to maintain the balance between oxygen and CO2 in the atmosphere

130
Q

how is respiration a transfer in the carbon cycle?

A

when plants and animals convert oxygen and glucose into energy which then produces the waste products of water and CO2

131
Q

how is combustion a transfer in the carbon cycle?

A

when fossil fuels and organic matter are burnt, they emit CO2 into the atmosphere, that was previously locked inside of them.

132
Q

how is decomposition a transfer in the carbon cycle?

A

when living organisms die they are broken down by decomposers which respire, returning CO2 into the atmosphere

133
Q

how is diffusion a transfer in the carbon cycle?

A

the oceans can absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, which has increased ocean acidity by 30%.

134
Q

how are weathering and erosion transfers in the carbon cycle?

A

rocks are eroded on land or broken down by carbonation weathering, which occurs when CO2 in the air mixes with rainwater to create carbonic acid which aids erosion of rocks. Carbon moved through water cycle and enters the oceans

135
Q

how are burial and compaction transfers in the carbon cycle?

A

when shelled marine organisms die, their shell fragments fall to the ocean floor, become compacted to form limestone. Organic matter is compacted over time to form fossil fuel deposits

136
Q

how is carbon sequestration a transfer in the carbon cycle?

A

transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to other stores and can be natural and artificial. A plant sequesters carbon when it photosynthesises and stores the carbon.

137
Q

what are the advantages of carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)?

A
  • fitted to existing coal power stations
  • captures 90% of CO2 produced
  • demand for CO2, transport systems already exist
  • potential to capture half of the worlds CO2 emissions
138
Q

what are the disadvantages of carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)?

A
  • high cost
  • increases energy demand
  • may not be space to fit to existing power stations
  • increases fossil fuel usage
139
Q

what is a sere?

A

a stage of a vegetation succession and can relate to specific environments

140
Q

when does a vegetation succession occur?

A

when a plant community develops and becomes more complex over time

141
Q

in what environment does the carbon cycle function in?

A

a lithosere environment

142
Q

what is achieved in the climatic climax?

A

environmental equilibrium is achieved

143
Q

what is the final stage of the sere?

A

the climatic climax

144
Q

what happens when a sere reaches a climatic climax?

A

the ecosystem is fully developed and stable and will not change dramatically as the equilibrium will counteract any change

145
Q

what are the four environments that relate to the seres?

A
  • lithosere
  • halosere
  • psammosere
  • hydrosere
146
Q

what is the lithosere environment?

A

bare rock

147
Q

what is the halosere environment?

A

salty environment

148
Q

what is the psammosere environment?

A

sand coastal environment

149
Q

what is the hydrosere environment?

A

freshwater environment

150
Q

define carbon sink

A

any store which takes in more carbon than it emits

151
Q

define carbon source

A

any store that emits more carbon than it stores

152
Q

what are the main six carbon stores?

A

-marine sediment and sedimentary rock
-oceans
-fossil fuel deposits
-soil organic matter
atmosphere
terrestrial plants

153
Q

what is the biggest carbon store?

A

marine sediments and sedimentary rocks

154
Q

give some facts about marine sediments and sedimentary rock as a carbon store

A
  • in the lithosphere
  • long term store
  • 66,000 - 100,000 million billion metric tons of carbon
155
Q

give some facts about oceans as a carbon store

A
  • in the hydosphere
  • dynamic store
  • 38,000 billion metric tons of carbon
156
Q

give some facts about fossil fuel deposits as a carbon store

A
  • in the lithosphere
  • long term store, but currently dynamic
  • 4000 billion metric tons of carbon
157
Q

give some facts about soil organic matter as a carbon store

A
  • in the lithosphere
  • mid term store
  • 1500 billion metric tons of carbon
158
Q

give some facts about the atmosphere as a carbon store

A
  • dynamic store
  • 750 billion metric tons of carbon
  • increased 40% since industrial revolution
159
Q

give some facts about terrestrial plants as a carbon store

A
  • in the biosphere
  • mid term store, but very dynamic
  • 560 billion metric tons of carbon
160
Q

where are oceans largest?

A

in the Southern Hemisphere

161
Q

where are forests declining?

A

tropical areas in the southern hemisphere

162
Q

where are the forests growing?

A

northern hemisphere

163
Q

why have non tropical forests seen an increase in carbon sequestration in recent years?

A

because of the conversion of agricultural land and plantations to new forest

164
Q

what are the two natural processes which have caused changes to the carbon cycle over time?

A
  • wildfires

- volcanic activity

165
Q

how have wildfires changed the carbon cycle?

A

CO2 is transferred from biosphere to atmosphere through burning

166
Q

how has volcanic activity changed the carbon cycle?

A

carbon stored within the earth is released during eruptions. They can influence the carbon cycle by reducing photosynthesis rates, which also effects the water cycle

167
Q

what are the three human impacts that have caused changes to the carbon cycle over time?

A
  • fossil fuel use
  • deforestation
  • farming practice
168
Q

how has fossil fuel use changed the carbon cycle?

A

combustion transfers CO2 to the atmosphere

169
Q

how has deforestation changed the carbon cycle?

A

releases carbon stored in plants and interrupting the forest carbon cycle

170
Q

how have farming practices changed the carbon cycle?

A

arable farming releases CO2, ploughing can release CO2 from soil and machinery release CO2

171
Q

what are fluxes?

A

changes to the magnitude of carbon stores

172
Q

what is the carbon budget?

A

the balance between carbon inputs and outputs to a store at any scale or the balance of exchanges between the four carbon stores

173
Q

what is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

A

the process that is currently causing global warming as abnormally high levels of greenhouse gases

174
Q

define radiative forcing?

A

the difference between incoming solar radiation absorbed by the earth and the energy radiated back out into space

175
Q

what are the four causes of the enhanced greenhouse effect?

A
  • land use change
  • fertilisers
  • deforestation
  • urbanisation
176
Q

how does land use change cause the enhanced green house effect?

A

-70% of deforestation is for cattle ranching, which produce methane

177
Q

land use change accounts for how much carbon release annually?

A

a tenth

178
Q

how does fertilisers cause the enhanced green house effect?

A

methane emissions increase due to increased productivity due to higher CO2 levels

179
Q

how does deforestation cause the enhanced green house effect?

A

the cycle is interrupted and the land is used for other purposes, which the reduces carbon sequestration and it becomes a carbon source

180
Q

deforestation accounts for how much of all global greenhouse emissions?

A

about 20%

181
Q

how does urbanisation cause the enhanced green effect?

A

cement releases carbon dioxide during production

182
Q

what is rewilding?

A

populated or managed human areas are being reduced or replaced by wildlife

183
Q

what are the impacts of the carbon cycle on tropical rainforests?

A
  • high rates of photosynthesis and respiration leads to greater humidity, cloud cover and precipitation
  • deforestation reduces photo synthesis and respiration, reducing humidity, cloud cover and decreasing precipitation
184
Q

what are the impacts of the carbon cycle on oceans?

A
  • warmer oceans cause more plankton growth, so more chemical production, which causes clouds to form
  • warm oceans store less CO2, warmer weather lessens oceans as carbon sinks
185
Q

what are systems made up of?

A
  • stores
  • flows
  • boundaries
  • inputs
  • outputs
186
Q

what are inputs?

A

when matter or energy is added to the system

187
Q

what are outputs?

A

when matter or energy leaves the system

188
Q

what are stores?

A

where matter or energy builds up

189
Q

what are flows?

A

when matter or energy moves from one flow to another

190
Q

what are boundaries?

A

the limits of a system

191
Q

what are open systems?

A

Both energy and matter can enter and leave an open system

-there are inputs and outputs of both

192
Q

what are closed systems?

A
  • matter can’t leave or enter a closed system, it can only cycle between stores
  • energy can enter and leave a closed system and can be input or output
193
Q

when is a system in equilibrium?

A

if the inputs and outputs of a system are balanced

-if there is no overall change to the system

194
Q

what can cause a system to change and establish a new dynamic equilibrium?

A

large, long term changes to the balance of inputs and outputs

195
Q

what changes trigger positive or negative feedback?

A

changes to dynamic equilibrium

196
Q

what does positive feedback do?

A

positive feedback mechanisms amplify the change in the inputs or outputs

197
Q

how does a system respond to positive feedback?

A

increasing the effects of the change, moving the system even further from its previous state

198
Q

what does negative feedback do?

A

negative feedback mechanisms counteract the change in the inputs or outputs

199
Q

how does a system respond to negative feedback?

A

decreasing the effects of the change, keeping the system closer to its previous state

200
Q

how can the earth be seen as a closed system?

A
  • energy is input from the sun and output to space

- but matter is not input or output to space

201
Q

what are the 5 subsystems of the earths system?

A
  • cryosphere
  • lithosphere
  • biosphere
  • hydrosphere
  • atmosphere
202
Q

what is the cryosphere?

A

all the parts of the earths system where its cold enough for water to freeze

203
Q

what is the lithosphere?

A

the outermost part of the earth

-includes the crust and the upper parts of the mantle

204
Q

what is the biosphere?

A

the part of the earths system where living things are found

-includes plants, animals, bacteria, etc

205
Q

what is the hydrosphere?

A

all the water on earth

  • it may be in liquid form, solid form or gas form
  • it can be saline (salty) or fresh
206
Q

what is the atmosphere?

A

the layer of gas between the earths surface and space, held in place by gravity

207
Q

what are the earths subsystems interlinked by?

A

the cycles and processes that keep the earth system as a whole running as normal

208
Q

can changes in one of earths subsume affect another?

A

yes

209
Q

does matter and energy move between the subsystems?

A

yes

210
Q

how does matter and energy move between the earths subsystems?

A

the output of one cycle is the input of the next then the output of that cycle is the input of the next

211
Q

what is the name of earths system?

A

a cascading system

212
Q

why is earth a cascading system?

A

the way that matter and energy move from one subsystem to the next

213
Q

how much water is in the hydrosphere?

A

1.4 sextillion litres

214
Q

what percentage of water is fresh?

A

3%

215
Q

what percentage of the earths fresh water is in the cryosphere?

A

69%

216
Q

what percentage of the earths fresh water is groundwater?

A

30%

217
Q

what percentage of earths freshwater is liquid freshwater on the earths surface (rivers, lakes, etc)?

A

0.3%

218
Q

what percentage of earths freshwater is stored as water vapour in the atmosphere?

A

0.04%

219
Q

why is there only a small amount of water on the planet that can be used by humans?

A

water must be physically and economically accessible for humans to be able to use it

220
Q

what does water have to do too coil or melt?

A

gain energy

221
Q

what does water have to do too condense or freeze?

A

lose energy

222
Q

what is the global hydrological cycle?

A

a closed system, where water is continuously cycled between different stores

223
Q

what does the magnitude of each store depend on?

A

the amount of water flowing between them

224
Q

when does evaporation occur?

A

when liquid water changes state into a gas, becoming water vapour

225
Q

what does evaporation do to the amount of water stored in the atmosphere?

A

increases the amount of water

226
Q

what happens to the amount of evaporation if there is lots of solar radiation and a large supply of water and warm, dry air?

A

the amount of evaporation will be high

227
Q

what happens to the amount of evaporation if there is not much solar radiation, little available liquid watering cool air that is nearly saturated?

A

evaporation will be low

228
Q

what is condensation?

A

when water vapour changes state to become a liquid

229
Q

when does condensation occur?

A

when air containing water vapour cools to its dew point

230
Q

what is a dew point?

A

the temperature at which water changes from a liquid to a gas

231
Q

what does the magnitude of condensation flow depend on?

A

the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere and temperature

232
Q

what is the main flow of water from the atmosphere to the ground?

A

precipitation

233
Q

when do clouds form?

A

when warm air cools down

234
Q

how are clouds formed?

A

warm air cools down, causing the water vapour in it to condense into water droplets which gather as clouds

235
Q

when do droplets from clouds fall as precipitation?

A

when the droplets get big enough

236
Q

what are the three things that cause warm air to cool, leading to precipitation?

A
  • other air masses
  • topography
  • convection
237
Q

how does topography cause precipitation?

A

when warm air meets mountains, its forced to rise, causing it to cool

238
Q

what does precipitation caused by topography result in?

A

orographic precipitation

239
Q

how does convection cause precipitation?

A

when the sun heats up the ground, moisture on the ground evaporates and rises up in a column of warm air. As it gets higher, it cools

240
Q

what does precipitation caused by convection result in?

A

convective precipitation

241
Q

how do other air masses cause precipitation?

A

warm air is less dense than cool air. As a result when warm air meets cool air, the warm air is forced up above the cool air. It cools down as it rises

242
Q

what does precipitation caused by other air masses result in?

A

frontal precipitation

243
Q

can water droplets caused by condensation form clouds on their own?

A

no, they are too small

244
Q

what must there be, as well as condensation, to form clouds?

A

there have to be tiny particles of other substances (dust or soot)

245
Q

why must there be other substances than just condensation for a cloud to form?

A

to act as cloud condensation nuclei

-they give water a surface to condense on

246
Q

do cryospheric processes change the amount of water stored as ice in the cryosphere?

A

yes

247
Q

during periods of global cold, are inputs or outputs greater into the cryosphere?

A

inputs are greater

248
Q

why are inputs into the cryosphere greater than outputs in periods of global cold?

A
  • water is transferred to it as snow

- less of it is transferred away due to melting

249
Q

during periods of warmer global temperatures, what happens to the magnitude of the cryosphere store?

A

the magnitude of the cryosphere store reduces

250
Q

why does the magnitude of cryosphere stores reduce in warmer temperatures?

A

losses due to melting are larger than the inputs of snow

251
Q

what is a rivers drainage basin?

A

the area surrounding the river where the rain falling on the land flows into that river

252
Q

what is the boundaries ry of a river basin?

A

the watershed

253
Q

what can a river drainage basin also be called?

A

river catchment

254
Q

are drainage basins open or closed systems?

A

open

255
Q

how does water come into a drainage basin system?

A

as precipiation

256
Q

how does water leave from a drainage basin system?

A

via evaporation, transpiration and river discharge

257
Q

what is precipitation?

A

rain, snow, hail, dew and frost

258
Q

what is interception?

A

when some precipitation lands on vegetation or other structures (buildings), before it reaches the soil

259
Q

where does interception cause a significant store of water?

A

wooded areas

260
Q

why is interception storage only temporary?

A

the collected water evaporate quickly, or fall through the leaves as through-fall

261
Q

what is vegetation storage?

A

water that’s been taken up by plants

-all the water contained in plants at any one time

262
Q

what is surface storage?

A

water in puddles, ponds and lakes

263
Q

what is soil storage?

A

moisture in the soil

264
Q

what is groundwater storage?

A

water stored in the ground, either in the soil or in the rocks

265
Q

what is the water table?

A

the top layer of the zone of saturation

266
Q

what is the zone of saturation?

A

the zone the zone of soil or rock where all the pores in the sailor rock are full of water

267
Q

what are aquifers?

A

porous rocks that hold water

268
Q

what is channel storage?

A

the water held in a river or Chanel stream

269
Q

what is infiltration?

A

water soaking into the soil

270
Q

what are infiltration rates influenced by?

A
  • soil type
  • soil structure
  • how much waters already in the soil
271
Q

what is overland flow?

A

water flowing over the land

-it can flow over the who surface or in little channels

272
Q

why does overland flow happen?

A

rain is falling onto the ground faster than infiltration can happen

273
Q

what is through fall?

A

water dripping from leaf to another

274
Q

what its stem flow?

A

water running down a plant stem or a tree trunk

275
Q

what is through flow?

A

water moving slowly downhill through soil

276
Q

where is through flow faster?

A

in ‘pipes’ (things like cracks in the soil or animal burrows)

277
Q

what is percolation?

A

water seeping down through soil into the water table

278
Q

what is groundwater flow?

A

water flowing slowly below the water table through permeable rock

279
Q

where can groundwater flow be faster?

A

through rocks that are highly permeable with lots of joints

280
Q

what is base flow?

A

groundwater flow that feeds into rivers through river banks and river beds

281
Q

what is interflow?

A

water flowing downhill through permeable rock above the water table

282
Q

what is channel flow?

A

the water flowing in the river or stream itself

283
Q

what is channel flow also called?

A

the rivers discharge

284
Q

what is the output from drainage basins?

A

water

285
Q

what are the four ways water leaves from a drainage basin?

A
  • evaporation
  • transpiration
  • evapotranspiration
  • river flow or river discharge
286
Q

what is evaporation?

A

water turning into water vapour

287
Q

what is transpiration?

A

evaporation from within leaves
-plants and trees take up water through their roots and transport it to their leaves where it evaporates into the atmosphere

288
Q

what is evapotranspiration?

A

the process of evaporation and transpiration together

289
Q

what is potential evapotranspiration?

A

the amount of water that could be lost by evapotranspiration

290
Q

what is actual evapotranspiration?

A

what actually happens

291
Q

what is river discharge?

A

the volume of water that flows in a river per second

292
Q

what is river discharge measured in?

A

cubic metres per second (m^3/s)

293
Q

why do high levels of runoff increase the discharge of a river?

A

more water makes it into a river, increasing its volume

294
Q

what are hydrography?

A

graphs of river discharge over time

295
Q

what do hydographs show?

A

how the volume of water flowing at a certain point in a river changes over a period of time

296
Q

what do flood hydrography show?

A

river discharge around the time of a storm event

297
Q

what is peak discharge?

A

the highest point on the graph, when river discharge is at its greatest

298
Q

what is lag time?

A

the delay between peak rainfall and peak discharge

299
Q

why is there a delay between peak rainfall and peak discharge?

A

it takes time for the rainwater to flow into the river

300
Q

why can a shorter lag time increase peak discharge?

A

more water reaches the river during a shorter period of time

301
Q

what is rising limb?

A

the part of the graph up to peak discharge

-the river discharge increases as rainwater flows into the river

302
Q

what is falling limb?

A

the part of the graph after peak discharge

303
Q

why is discharge decreasing in the falling limb?

A

less water is flowing into the river

304
Q

what does a shallow falling limb show?

A

water is flowing in from stores long after its stopped raining

305
Q

what 4 factors does the amount of runoff and shape of the hydrography depend on?

A
  • size of drainage basin
  • shape of drainage basin
  • ground steepness
  • rock and soil type
306
Q

how does the size of the drainage basin affect the amount of runoff and the shape of the hydrograph?

A
  • larger drainage basins catch more precipitation, so they have a higher peak discharge than smaller basins
  • smaller basins generally have shorter lag times because precipitation has less distance to travel, so it reaches the main channel more quickly
307
Q

how does the shape of the drainage basin affect the amount of runoff and the shape of the hydrograph?

A

-circular basins are more likely to have a flashy hydrograph than long, narrow basins

308
Q

what is a feedback loop?

A

a type of chemical Chain where one process leads to another process, leading to another process and so on

309
Q

what are the two types of feedback loops?

A

positive and negative

310
Q

what is negative feedback?

A

the process that occurs is counteracted by an opposing process, causing the effects to cancel each other out and nothing to change

311
Q

what is positive feedback?

A

a process occurs which causes another process to occur, which started a chain reaction that heightens the first process

312
Q

what happens in positive feedback of wild fires?

A

more likely in hotter and drier climates created by global warming, which release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere which increases the warming effect

313
Q

what happens in negative feedback of increased photosynthesising rising global temperatures?

A

allows vegetation to grow in new areas. New vegetation absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, decreasing the warming effect

314
Q

what is a moorland?

A

an expanse of waterlogged, acidic soil and peat

315
Q

how does waterlogged ground reduce plant growth?

A

stops oxygen from permeating

316
Q

why are many moorlands no longer submerged?

A

they have been drained by large channels

317
Q

why are drained moorlands often converted into highly productive farmland or plantations in tropical areas?

A

due to their fertile soil

318
Q

how has draining the moorlands increased flood risk?

A
  • surface storage is reduced by draining the moorland

- streamflow is increased by digging the drainage ditches

319
Q

how does ground steepness affect the amount of runoff and the shape of the hydrograph?

A

water flows more quickly down hill in steep sided drainage basin, shortening lag time and meaning water has less time to infiltrate the soil, so runoff is higher

320
Q

how does rock and soil type affect the amount of runoff and the shape of the hydrograph?

A

impermeable rocks and soils don’t store water or let water infiltrate, increasing surface runoff. peak discharge increases as more water reaches the river in a shorter period of time

321
Q

what are the two physical factors for variations in the water cycle?

A

-storms and precipitation

seasonal changes and vegetation

322
Q

how do storms and precipitation cause variations in the water cycle?

A
  • intense storm surges generate more precipitation and greater peak discharge
  • larger input of water causes flows to increase in size
  • some flows may not be able to occur rapidly enough for the size of the input, increasing runoff

Physical Geography (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions