Water and Carbon cycles simplified (connections) Flashcards
what sets off the carbon and water cycle?
energy from sun
how does the C cycle have an impact on water cycle? e.g?
enhances global warming via increasing levels of carbon in atmosphere= super charge the cycles
e.g. greater evaporation in parts of world= heavier rainfall in some areas & deeper droughts in others. the water cycle has been altered due to the amount of carbon in the air
how does snow and ice cause positive feedback?
as snow and ice cover decrease these areas go from having bright sunlight-reflecting surfaces that cool planet to having dark, sunlight absorbing surfaces that bring more energy into earth system
how does water vapour cause positive feedback?
WV is a strong GHG & to NASA largest feedback factor, abundance of water in atmosphere means it causes about 2/3 of GHG warming. as temp ^ more, h20 vapor evaporates from surface into atmosphere where it can cause temp to ^
what effect do clouds have on feedback cycle?
more water V= more clouds= cools planet (reflecting visible light from sun) & warms (absorbing heat radiation emitted by surface). overall cooling effect
what is the link between the carbon cycle and oceans?
mich of co2 emited by humans us absorbed by the oceans= oceans sea less alkaline, slow GW
future:warmer ocean waters hold less dissolved in carbon
what is the positive feedback cycle of permafrost?
- slightly increased surface temp
- causes ^ melting in high altitude
- release of carbon locked up in previously frozen organic matter
- ^ amounts of carbon in atmosphere
human intervention in the C cycle can cause a 2 degree increase what will happen if this 2 degree increase takes place? 4
- almost no coral reefs
- animals/vege extinct
- low lying coastal areas (bangladesh)= increased sea level
- human health risks
what are 4 mitigation techniques of the consequences caused by the 2 degree increase? 4
- new technologies
- using clean energy resources
- changing peoples behaviours
- energy efficient technologies
how much carbon is captured in carbon capture and storage?
up to 90% produced in elec generation and industrial processes
what are the 3 things that carbon capture and storage involves?
- sep of carbon from other gases
- transport co2 for safe storage
- co2 stored 7km below earths surface
what is geological sequestration?
capture of waste co2 from geothermal power plant, dissolved into large q of storage. 1000m below storage
what is biological seqestration?
net removal of cco2 from atmosphere by plants & micro-organisms & storage in vege biomass & soil
what are 4 advantages of carbon sequestration?
- sequestration ^ carbon at low cost
- protecting soil
- rural income
- sus agriculture
what was 3 goals of the 2015 Parism climate agreement.?
- keep temp below 2 degrees above pre industrial levels
- cutting emission every 5yrs
- provide climate finance to poor countries
