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geography paper 1 > 3.1.1 water and carbon cycles > Flashcards

3.1.1 water and carbon cycles Flashcards

1
Q

what is a system?

A

a system is a assemblage of interrelated parts that work together

contain a series of stores, components and have flows (connections) between them

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2
Q

what are a systems concepts?

A

inputs - matter or energy is added
outputs - matter or energy leaves
stores - matter or energy builds up
flows - matter or energy moves within the system
boundaries - limits to the system

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3
Q

what is a systems structure?

A

structure lies within a boundary, functioning with inputs and outputs

  1. elements = things that make up the system eg molecules
  2. attributes = characteristics of the elements that can be measured or percieved eg size, colour
  3. relationships = are the associations between the elements and attributes
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4
Q

what are cascading systems?

A

when the output of one system becomes the input to another

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5
Q

what are open systems?

A

a system in which both mass and energy are allowed to transfer across system boundary

flow of matter as well as energy in and out of the system

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6
Q

what are closed systems?

A

transfers of energy both into and out of the system boundary

no transfer of matter

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7
Q

what are isolated systems?

A

no interaction between system and surroundings

theoretical systems

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8
Q

describe both feedback loops and dynamic equilibrium

A

equilibrium = balance between inputs + outputs

negative feedback = effects of an action are nullified by its subsequent knock-on effects

positive feedback = effects are amplified or multiplied by subsequent knock on effects or secondary effects

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9
Q

what are the five types of systems in water and carbon?

A
  1. hydrosphere = water
  2. biosphere = living matter
  3. cryosphere = ice
  4. atmosphere = air
  5. lithosphere = rocks
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10
Q

what keeps living organisms alive?

A

recycling nutrients between organisms and environments

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11
Q

what is the water cycles closed system?

A

spends time in ocean, air, surfaces and ground water

solid, liquid and gases are interchangeable based on temperature

infiltration > groundwater > evapouration

precipitation > snow + ice > melting

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12
Q

what is the carbon cycles natural system?

A

chemically versatile elements

found in life forms, sedimentary rocks, diamonds, graphite, coal, oil and gas

stored in lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, biosphere

carbon sink is a store that absorbs more carbon than it releases

carbon source releases more carbon than it absorbs

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13
Q

what is the concept of dynamic equilibrium in the water cycle?

A

refers to the tendency towards a natural state of balance within the hydrological cycle

closed system cycle - no water enters or leaves. recycled around

drainage basin is a open system as inputs and outputs change
dynamic equilibrium is easily upset by storms and droughts
as well as human activity

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14
Q

what are the types of precipitation?

A

precipitation: water that falls to the surface of the earth from the atmosphere, including snow and hail

  1. convectional = warm air rises, condenses at higher altitudes and falls as rain
  2. relief = warm air is forced upward by a barrier eg mountains, causing it to condense at higher altitudes and falls as rain
  3. frontal = warm air rises over cool air. warm air is less dense and lighter so condenses at higher altitudes and falls as rain
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15
Q

what is evapotranspiration?

A

compromised of both evaporation and transpiration

evaporation = heated by the sun causing it to become a gas

transpiration = occurs in plants when they respire, releasing water which then evaporates by the sun

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16
Q

what is streamflow?

A

water that enters a drainage basin leaving through the atmosphere or streams that drain a basin

may flow as tributaries into rivers, oceans and lakes

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17
Q

what is infiltration?

A

process of water moving from above ground into the soil

grass crops and tree roots create passages for water to flow through, therefore increasing the infiltration capacity

precipitation falling at a greater rate than the infiltration capacity leads to overland flow

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18
Q

what is percolation?

A

water moving from the ground into porous rock or rock fractures

percolation rate is dependent on fractures and permeability of rock

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19
Q

what is throughflow?

A

movement of water through the soil into streams and rivers

speed of movement is dependent on the type of soil

clay soils have smaller pore spaces with a slower flow rate

sandy soils drain quickly because they have larger pore spaces and natural channels so have a quicker flow rate

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20
Q

what is surface run off?

A

water flowing above ground as sheet flow

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21
Q

what is ground water flow?

A

water movement through the rocks

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22
Q

what is streamflow?

A

water that moves through established channels

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23
Q

what is stemflow?

A

flow of water that has been intercepted by plants or trees down the plant

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24
Q

what are the five stores?

A
  1. soil water = stored in soil and utilisied by plants
  2. ground water = stored in pore spaces of rock
  3. river channel = stored in a river
  4. interception = water intercepted by plants before reaching the ground
  5. surface storage = water stored in puddles, ponds ect
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25
Q

what is the water cycle’s global distribution?

A

97% is global water

2.5% of stores is freshwater
69% is glaciers, ice caps and sheets
30% is groundwater

1% surface and other freshwater

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26
Q

oceans and water cycle

A

most of the water is stored as saline water

oceans cover 72% of the world but only 5% has been explored

salt allows oceans to remain liquid in temps below 0 degrees

pH has fallen from 8.25 to 8.14 in the past 250 years due to increased carbon

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27
Q

terrestrial water and water cycle

A

surface water

rivers make 0.0002% of water, covering 1,000,000 km2

lakes are collections of freshwater found in hollows

Canada has estimated 31,752 lakes

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28
Q

what is biological water?

A

constitutes the water stored in all the biomass, dependent on the vegetation

areas of dense rainforests, store more water

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29
Q

what are aquifers?

A

aquifers are underground water stores and on a global scale are unevenly distributed

30.1% of all freshwater is stored in rocks deep below the ground, forming vast reservoirs

commonly found in porous + permeable rocks such as chalk and sandstone

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30
Q

describe porous and clay soil and the effect on the storage of water

A

store of water varies in capacity to store or transfer water

porous sandy soil = holds very little water but allows transfer of water

clay soil = stores a huge amount of water but allows little transfer of water

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31
Q

what are the formats of cryospheric water?

A
  1. sea ice = does not raise sea levels, when it melts
    forms from ocean water
    ice shelves from ice sheets and glaciers move out over oceans
    icebergs only raise sea levels when they leave the land
  2. ice sheets = mass of glacial land exceeding 50,000km2
    Antarctica and greenland account for 99%
    form when winter snowfall doesn’t melt completely in summer
    constantly moving downhill due to weight
  3. ice caps = dome shaped and located over highest points of an upland area
  4. alpine glaciers = thick mass of ice found in deep valleys and upland hollows
  5. permafrost = ground that remains at or below 0 degrees for at least two consecutive years
    thickness varies
    melting permafrost releases huge CO2 + methane
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32
Q

what is the most common atmospheric state?

A

the most common state is water vapour

water vapour absorbs, reflects and disperses incoming solar radiation helping the atmosphere regulate it’s temperature

cold air cannot hold as much water vapour

an increase in water vapour will increase atmospheric temperature (positive feedback)

clouds are a visible mass of water droplets

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33
Q

what is the store residence time?

A

the amount of water in a store / rate of addition of water to store or loss

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34
Q

why does the water in soil not remain for long?

A

quickly percolates in bedrock
transpired by plants into the atmosphere
transferred in rivers by through flow
evaporated into atmosphere

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35
Q

what are the four movements of water?

A
  1. ablation = substance changes from a solid to liquid
  2. freezing = substance changes from liquid to solid
  3. vaporisation = substance changes from a liquid to vapour
  4. condensation = substance changes from a vapour to liquid
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36
Q

how does evaporation drive change in the magnitude of water? what are the rates dependant on?

A

rates dependant on:
amount of solar energy
availability of water
humidity in air
temperature of air

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37
Q

how does condensation drive change in the magnitude of water?

A

temperature is reduced to the dew point = temperature at which water vapour in the air turns into liquid water

when it air rises it cools, as it cools it expands
can occur when air is forced over hills = orographic effect

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38
Q

describe the process of water condensation

A
  1. the atmosphere is full of gas particles (water vapour) also particles such as salt and dust called aerosols
  2. water vapour and aerosols bump into each other. when the air is cooled some of the water vapour sticks to the aerosol
  3. the warmer the air the more water vapour it can hold. clouds form when the air rises, becomes saturated and cannot hold any more water.
  4. water droplets group together they become heavy and gravity pills them down as raindrops
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39
Q

how do clouds form?

A

from spatial and temporal changes in the water cycle

equator = high evapouration so air rises, cools, condenses to form low pressure zone (ITCZ)

mid latitudes = convergence of warm tropical air + cold artic air

localised scale = thunderstorms form from intense convective activity

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40
Q

how does frontal rainfall form?

A
  1. areas of warm and cool air are blown towards each other by the wind
  2. the lighter less dense warm air is forced to rise over the denser cold air

frontal rain produces a variety of clouds which bring moderate to heavy rain

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41
Q

how does relief (orographic) rainfall form?

A
  1. the most warm air is forced to rise. cools and condenses forming clouds
  2. the air drops down over the mountain warming as it does.
    as it warms it increases the amount of water it can hold, meaning little rainfall occurs here. this is called the rainshadow effect.
  3. the prevailing wind picks up moisture from the sea
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42
Q

how does convectional rainfall form?

A
  1. the surface of the earth is heated by the sun
  2. the warm surface heats the air above it. hot air always rises and as it does so the air begins to cool and condensate.
  3. convection produces cumulus-nimbus clouds which produce heavy rain and possibly thunder and lightening
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43
Q

what are cryospheric processes?

A

processes that has led to the climate being warmed leading to ice stores to shrink and retreat

positive feedback

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44
Q

how do hillslopes become a process of change?

A

considered to be most important local unit by hydrologists

area impacted by human and natural factors

consists of multiple water stores over short timescales

most influential process is infiltration and rapid transfer of water overland

short time scales

magnitude of store changes

influence of infiltration + overland flow

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45
Q

what influences do the seasons have on the soil water budget?

A

wet seasons:
precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration (water surplus)
ground store fills with water so higher discharge and surface run off

drier seasons:
evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation (ground store depletion)
some flows into the river channel but is not replaced by precipitation

back to wet seasons:
deficit of water
ground stores recharged

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46
Q

what is the soil water budget?

A

the changes in the soil water store during the course of a year due to infiltration

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47
Q

what is the field capacity in regards to the soil water budget?

A

soil holds as much water as possible with no outputs

dependant on type and depth of soil
texture and permeability

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48
Q

what is the bed rock in regards to the soil water budget?

A

capacity to store and transfer water dependant on lithology + structure

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49
Q

what is a drainage basin?

A

area of land drained by a river + tributaries, includes water found on surface soil + near surface geology

open system

casading system

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50
Q

what are the five features of a drainage basin?

A

source/mouth
tributary
river channel;
watershed
confluence

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51
Q

what is the water balance?

A

the balance between inputs and outputs

evapouration and transpiration

DIAGRAM ON NOTES

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52
Q

what is the equation for water balance?

A

precipitation (P) = Discharge (Q) + Evapotranspiration (E) +/- changes in storage

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53
Q

what is the rivers regime in regards to the water balance?

A

that the discharge levels rise and fall in a river, often showing an annual pattern

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54
Q

what is the equation for runoff variation?

A

discharge = cross sectioned x velocity

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55
Q

definition for runoff variation

A

river flow is studied by measuring discharge

variability in discharge throughout the year in response to precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration and drainage basin characteristics

river regime

56
Q

what is the purpose of a storm hydrograph?

A

graph of the discharge of a river leading up to and following a storm or rainfall event

important as they predict how a river might respond to a storm event and can aid management of rivers

usually covers a relatively short time period and separates hydrographs from water balances and river regimes

57
Q

what are the rising limbs in regards to storm hydrographs?

A

rising flood water in the river

58
Q

what are the falling limbs in regards to storm hydrographs?

A

falling flood water in the river

59
Q

what is the peak flow in regards to storm hydrographs?

A

maximum discharge in river

60
Q

what is the lag time in regards to storm hydrographs?

A

difference between peak of rain storm and peak flow of water

longer lag time, less prone to flooding

61
Q

what is the base flow in regards to storm hydrographs?

A

normal day to day discharge of river + consequence of groundwater

62
Q

describe reasons why a short lag time may be present?

A

short lag time = more likely to flood

  • if soil/rock type is impermeable
  • amount + intensity of precipitation
  • deforestation
  • growth of urban areas
  • if drainage basin is already saturated
  • lag time is reduced
63
Q

describe reasons why a long lag time may be present?

A

long lag time = less likely to flood

thick vegetation covering in drainage basins
large drainage basins
afforestation

64
Q

what natural variation affecting change?

A

extreme change eg severe storms + droughts

seasonal variables, particularly on high variables

affects both stores and transfers

65
Q

how does the seasons affect change in the water cycle component?

A

precipitation&raquo_space; total rainfall may be less but storms are more frequent&raquo_space; greater quantities of rainfall + snow

vegetation&raquo_space; vegetation grows rapidly increasing interception + transpiration&raquo_space; vegetation dies back, affects processes

evapouration&raquo_space; higher temps encourage rapid evapouration&raquo_space; lower temps reduce evap

soil water&raquo_space; dry soils encourage infiltration, high encourage overland&raquo_space; soil becomes saturated + overland flow

river channel flow&raquo_space; low flow conditions are more likely&raquo_space; high flow conditions are more likely

66
Q

how do human activities affect land use change in regards to the water cycle?

A

urbanisation leads to water not being able to infiltrate the soil, which increases overland flow

deforestation removes trees, leading to surface runoff + soil erosion and reduces soil stores

67
Q

how do farming practices affect land use change in regards to the water cycle?

A

desertification, capacity to retain water is much lower

capacity is lost completely once the soil is sealed

68
Q

how do water abstraction affect land use change in regards to the water cycle?

A

aquifiers can become deplated but can be contaminated by inflowing saltwater if water drops below sea levels

abstraction can result in low flow conditions in rivers

69
Q

what irrigation processes are in the middle east?

A

significant impact on water stores and transfer processes

water is abstracted from underground aquifers that were formed thousands of years ago

in danger of being depleted, as rate of recharge is far slower than the rate of use

70
Q

what is a carbon atom?

A

basic chemical element needed by animals + plants to survive

recycling of carbon is essential for life on earth

recent concern of increase in CO2

71
Q

where can carbon atoms be found?

A
  • methane
  • carbon dioxide
  • calcium carbonate
  • hydrocarbons
  • bio molecules
72
Q

summarise the carbon cycle

A

carbon cycle is the route carbon follows on earth

organic carbon&raquo_space; inorganic carbon

primary source of carbon is the earth’s interior

stored in all five subsystems

transfers

73
Q

what is a carbon sink?

A

store that absorbs more than it releases

74
Q

what is a carbon source?

A

releases more carbon than it absorbs

75
Q

what are the purpose of global stores?

A

identified as geographical stores and have a geographical component

changes over time = fluxes
fluxes can result in feedback loops but if all sources are equal
dynamic equilibrium is reached

76
Q

table of the global distribution of carbon

A

atmosphere&raquo_space; 0.0015&raquo_space; sedimentary rocks

lithosphere&raquo_space; 99.985&raquo_space; carbonate ions etc

hydrosphere&raquo_space; 0.0076&raquo_space; soil organisms

pedosphere&raquo_space; 0.0031&raquo_space; frozen mosses

cryosphere&raquo_space; 0.0018&raquo_space; gaseous carbon

biosphere&raquo_space; 0.012&raquo_space; living plants + animals

77
Q

what is the lithosphere in regards to the carbon cycle?

A

stored in both inorganic and organic forms

marine sediments + sedimentary rocks contain 100 million Gtc

soil organic matter contains between 1,500 to 1,600 Gtc

fossil fuel deposits of coal, oil + gas approx 4,100 Gtc

peat = dead but undecayed organic material found in boggy areas

78
Q

what is the biosphere in regards to the carbon cycle?

A

total sum of all living matter

total amount of carbon stored in terrestrial biosphere has been estimated to be 3,170 Gtc

living organisms = 19% of earths carbon is stored in plants

two largest forest reserviours are in russia and amazon… 25+20%

plant litter and leaf litter accounts for 70% of litter in forests
woody litter tended to increase with forest age
in grassland, leaf litter is annually low

peat, creates low oxygen anaerobic conditions that slow rates of decomposition

covers over 4 million km2

animals are a small storage of carbon but important in the regeneration of carbon

79
Q

what is the hydrosphere in regards to the carbon cycle?

A

ocean plays an important part in the carbon cycle

global ocean data analysis project uses data from research ships, commerical ships and buoys

surface layer (euphotic zone) = where sunlight penetrates so that photosynthesis can take place

intermediate (twilight zone)

living organic matter approx 30Gtc

when organisms die, their dead cells and other parts sink into deep water. decay releases C02 into water so it can sediment into rocks

sedimentary rocks + layer could store up to 100 million Gtc

80
Q

what is the atmosphere in regards to the carbon cycle?

A

atmospheric CO2 levels have reached high levels topping over 7,000 ppm

highest in cambrain period + lowest quaternery glaciation

potent greenhouse gas + plays an important part in regulating surface temp

81
Q

what is the cryosphere in regards to the carbon cycle?

A

cold parts of our global stores a lot of carbon

methyl clathrates are molecules of methane that are frozen into ice crystals
molecules form under high pressure + low temps deep in the core

organic matter frozen in permafrost, locked up carbon store

as global warming it melts ice, releasing CO2

problematic as it traps heat about 20 times more then CO2

82
Q

what is the relationship between plant and carbon storage?

A

some regions of the world eg deserts have virtually no plant storage

noticed carbon uptake increase in northern hemisphere but less in the tropics and southern hemisphere

83
Q

how does deforestation effect the carbon cycle?

A

effects atmosphere as less CO2 is absorbed

no plants to absorb CO2 by photosynthesis

84
Q

how does mineral extraction effect the carbon cycle?

A

released from store of soil + more CO2 is released into the atmosphere

85
Q

how does urbanisation effect the carbon cycle?

A

more car fuels so more CO2 is released into the atmosphere

destroys biosphere

86
Q

how does agriculture effect the carbon cycle?

A

planting plants so reduces CO2 into the atmosphere

87
Q

how does mining effect the carbon cycle?

A

released from store of soil + more CO2 is released into the atmosphere

88
Q

what is the movement of carbon?

A

stored in either a carbon source or a sink

size of store fluctuates over time + space

fast carbon cycles = changes rapidly

slow carbon cycles = timescales over million years

89
Q

how is photosynthesis a fast carbon process?

A

process by which plants use light energy from the sun to produce carbohydrates in the form of glucose
green plants absorbs the light energy using chlorophyll
converts CO2 in the air and water into glucose

CO2+H2O + light energy&raquo_space; glucose + O2

90
Q

how is respiration a fast carbon process?

A

chemical process that happens in all cells and is common in plants and animals

used stored carbohydrates as an energy source

glucose is converted into energy + CO2 is converted back into the atmosphere

91
Q

how is decomposition a fast carbon process?

A

when organisms die, they are consumed by decomposers such as bacteria

carbon is returned to atmosphere

some organic material passes into the soil

92
Q

how does the ocean uptake carbon?

A

CO2 is directly dissolved from the atmosphere and is transferred to oceans where it is taken up by the organisms that live in them

carbon is also transferred to the atmosphere where carbon rich water from deep in the ocean which rises to the surface

93
Q

how is burial + compaction a slow carbon process?

A

organic matter is buried by sediments and become compacted

over millions of years, these organic sediments containing carbon may from hydrocarbon

corals and shelled organisms used calcium carbonate to build up their shells
when they die, the shells accumulate on the sea bed, releasing CO2

94
Q

how is weathering a slow carbon process?

A

involves the breakdown of rocks

CO2 + rainwater&raquo_space; acidic carbonic acid

rocks slowly dissolve with the carbon being held in the solution

transported via water cycle to the oceans + carbon can be used to build shells of marine organisms

95
Q

how is sequestratian a slow and fast carbon process?

A

sequestratian = transfer of carbon from atmosphere to plants, soil, rock formations and oceans
eg carbon capture + storage

FAST
geological sequestratian = CO2 is captured at it’s source then injected into liquid form to store underground

SLOW
terrestial and biological = plants capture CO2 from the atmosphere and gets stored in stems and roots

96
Q

what is a sere?

A

a succession that relates to a specific environment

each stage of a succession is called a seral stage

97
Q

list 3 examples of sere

A

hydrosere = water, freshwater, pond

halosere = salt, coastal salt marsh

psammosere = coastal sand, sand dunes

98
Q

when is the final stage of a sere reached?

A

reached when a state of environmental equillibrium has been reached
usually in response to a climate having a climatic climax

climate vegetation in the UK = deciduous woodland

99
Q

describe the process of a terrestrial carbon cycle, lithosphere?

A
  1. rock exposed due to glacial retreat - weathering releases carbon which is dissolved in water
  2. vegetation grows on the exposed rock - carbon exchange takes place
  3. organic matter added to the broken rock fragments - soil develops
  4. soil can absorb and store carbon
  5. plant species become more diverse due to increased carbon in soil
  6. different habitats are established

sequence of change is called a vegetation success

100
Q

what are spatial scales?

A

carbon flows take place at a range of scales eg plant scales of respiration + photosynthesis

carbon flows such as combustion + deposition

continental scale = all carbon flows including sequestration

101
Q

how does natural climate change affect temperature?

A

higher temps are associated with higher levels of CO2

increased CO2 = leads to enhanced global warming + temperature increases

decreased CO2 = reduce the effectiveness of the greenhouse effect, leads to global cooling

102
Q

what impact does permafrost have on cold conditions in regards to carbon stores + transfers?

A

soil would have been frozen over vast areas of land

stops transfers of carbon

102
Q

what impact does chemical weathering have on cold conditions in regards to carbon stores + transfers?

A

more reactive because cold water can hold more CO2

103
Q

what impact does decomposition have on cold conditions in regards to carbon stores + transfers?

A

less effective

carbon transfer to soils would have been reduced

104
Q

what impact does the melting of permafrost have on warm conditions in regards to carbon stores + transfers?

A

carbon and methane are released into the atmosphere

positive feedback loops

105
Q

what impact does wildfires have on warm conditions in regards to carbon stores + transfers?

A

fires release a large quantity of CO2 causing a large spike of CO2 emissions

can turn forests from a carbon sink to a carbon source

106
Q

what impact does volcanic activity have on warm conditions in regards to carbon stores + transfers?

A

emit around 130 + 380 million tones of CO2 per year

lava also contains silicates that will slowly weather
converts CO2 in the air to carbonates in solution

absorbed slowly away from atmosphere

107
Q

what are anthropogenic processes?

A

impacts as a consequence of human activity

108
Q

what are the key impacts of anthropogenic processes?

A

deforestation
afforestation
carbon offsetting
agriculture
plantations
land use change
cement production
urbanisation
burning of vegetation
fossil fuels

109
Q

describe fossil fuel combustion

A

according to the IPCC, 90% of human caused carbon release comes from the combustion of coal, oil and natural gas

vegetation + oceans help to reabsorb 50% of this, with the rest being absorbed into the atmosphere

established that the cement industry produced 50% of all human induced CO2

110
Q

describe farming practices

A

when soil is ploughed, the soil layers invert with each other
soil microbial activity dramatically increases leading to more organic soil matter to be decomposed

greatest source = enteric fermentation
39% of agricultural emissions in 2011

biological processes in rice paddies generate methane which makes up 10% of emissions
burning grassland = 5%

111
Q

what is the land use change effect on the carbon cycle?

A

CO2 emissions are emitted from land use change
accounts for 30% of carbon emissions

around 13 million hectares of forest are cut down + changed to other land use every year
driven by the need for agricultural land

logging operations remove forest, some loggers act illegally

some of the chopped wood is used for wood products

forest clearing also accelerates the decay of dead wood, litter

112
Q

how does deforestation directly affect the carbon and water cycle?

A

moist soils, however they dry out without tree cover

trees maintain water cycle through transpiration

forests lands can quickly turn into barren deserts

113
Q

what is the effect afforestation has on the carbon cycle?

A

planting of trees has been referenced in forests as being extended or established on an abounded agricultural land

reduced the net loss of total forest area

however still more deforestation than afforestation

114
Q

what are the differences between an undisturbed and disturbed forest?

A

undisturbed forests absorb more carbon in photosynthesis than disturbed

undisturbed has a higher carbon store above ground, below ground

undisturbed forest only emits carbon through respiration whereas a deforestation forest emits carbon through other processes

115
Q

what effect does urban growth have on the carbon cycle?

A

1/2 the world’s population lives in urban areas
expected to reach 60% by 2030

urban areas grow by 1.3 million people per week

land use changes the natural vegetation/ agricultural land

CO2 emissions resulting from energy consumption for transport, industry, domestic use etc

carbon emissions from urban areas are expected to get worse

116
Q

what is the carbon budget?

A

allows scientists to roughly calculate how much CO2 can add to the atmosphere without triggering effects

measures the carbon that is stored and transferred within the carbon cycle

mostly stored in crust + ocean

117
Q

what are the impacts of a carbon budget?

A

increased emissions from anthropogenic processes have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases making them more effective in trapping radiation (increased greenhouse effect)

explains the increase of global temps of 0.8 degrees since 1880

118
Q

what are the effects land processes have on the carbon budget?

A

organic matter introduces important nutrients and provides a structure to the soil
essential for plant growth and production of food

stored in vegetation and can be both a carbon sink and a carbon source

stored in grass and provides fodder for animals

stored in wood and fossil fuels which provides a valuable source of energy

119
Q

what are the effects ocean processes have on the carbon budget?

A

can be converted into calcium carbonate which is used by marine organisms to build shells

phytoplankton consumes CO2 during photosynthesis
passed along the marine food chain

120
Q

what are the effects atmospheric processes have on the carbon budget?

A

increases in carbon emissions from anthropogenic causes have led to the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change

121
Q

what is the carbon budgets impact on the climate?

A

vegetation removes CO2 and releases water + oxygen

regions with dense vegetation experience high rates of photosynthesis + respiration, higher humidity levels and cloud cover

the proliferation of plankton in oceans promotes cloud formations, through creations of dimethyl sulphide

volcanic eruptions release CO2 into the atmosphere along with ash + sulphur dioxide

SO2 absorbs more incoming radiation from the sun and may lead to a cooling effect called a volcanic winter

122
Q

why are water, carbon, climate essential for life on Earth?

A

water and carbon are essential for life as they are intrinsically linked

carbon makes up 18% of the body, that is stored as glucose

123
Q

how is industrial combustion used as a mitigation prevention?

A

carbon capture and storage uses technology to capture CO2 emissions from coal fired power stations

gas is transported to a site where it can be stored and prevented from entering the atmosphere

once captured, CO2 is compressed + transported by pipeline to an injection well, then injected as a liquid into suitable geological reservoirs eg aquifers

CCS is viewed with suspicious by environmental campaigners because of it’s economic viability

in 2014, boundary dam in Canada became the world’s first commercial carbon capture plant

124
Q

how is photosynthesis used as a mitigation prevention?

A

trees act as a carbon sink, removing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in biomass and soil

trees release moisture to moderate climates

125
Q

how is land use change used as a mitigation prevention?

A

carbon farming = one type of crop is replaced by another that has greater productivity and can absorb more CO2

126
Q

how is deforestation used as a mitigation prevention?

A

consumers are encouraged to buy wood-certified by the FSC, timber that has been grown sustainably

countries, organisations + individuals make the carbon offset payments to offset their carbon emissions eg paying for existing forests to be protected

eg Malaysia, the selective management system is a sustainable approach to logging

127
Q

how is political initiatives used as a mitigation prevention?

A

Brazil; slashed the rate of deforestation by 80%

landowners are required to preserve 80% of virgin forests, infringements are punished with fines + imprisonment

grants for agricultural enterprises are declined if deforestation is taking place

paris agreement = limit global temp + support

128
Q

what is the relationship between the water cycle and tropical rainforests?

A

high precipitation due to high humidity and unstable weather conditions

canopy level intercepts up to 75% of rainfall

some drips to the ground from leaves as stem flow

25% of rainfall evaporates
remaining 75% is used by plants and returned to atmosphere by evapotranspiration

other half infiltrates soil, underground or overland to river channels

129
Q

what is the long term impact of human activity on TRF water cycle?

A
  • atmosphere becomes less humid
  • more rainfall reaches the ground, more compaction and overland flow
  • soil dries out due to exposure to sun
  • reduced interception + transpiration
  • runoff increases
  • precipitation decreases
130
Q

what is the relationship between the carbon cycle and tropical rainforests?

A

warm and wet conditions are ideal for plant growth
promotes it and absorbs more CO2

emits large amounts of oxygen

wood is around 50% carbon

respiration by plants and animals return CO2 to atmosphere

decomposition is very active

131
Q

what is the long term impact of human activity on TRF carbon cycle?

A
  • carbon sink turns into a carbon source
  • reduced photosynthesis
  • reduced respiration
  • carbon runoff may increase
  • reduced number of decomposers
  • rain washes ash into ground, increasing carbon concentration
132
Q

what are the attempts to limit human impact on TRFs?

A

selective logging
replanting
environmental laws
protection
monitoring

133
Q

what is the short term effects of human activities on the water cycle?

A

Very wet: large amounts of evaporation over the Atlantic Ocean and the wet air is blown towards the Amazon which contributes to the Amazons very high rainfall

Warm temperatures: causes large amounts of evaporation which leads to large amounts of precipitation

High interception: dense canopy results in high interception, so less water flows into rivers

Environment: populated by species that are adapted to high humidity and frequent rainfall

134
Q

what is the short term effect of human activities on the carbon cycle?

A

Carbon sink: increasingly concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has led to increased productivity as the vegetation is able to access more CO2 for photosynthesis. The amount of CO2 sequestrated has been increased. Trees are growing more quickly and dying younger.

Deforestation: large amounts happen to exploit the timber or to make space for farming. In deforested areas, there is no tree canopy to intercept rainfall, so more water reaches the ground surface. As there is too much water to soak into the soil, it moves to rivers as surface runoff which increases flooding.
Reduces the rate of evapotranspiration: less water vapour is reaches the atmosphere
Reduced leaf litter so humus isn’t formed
Less atmospheric CO2 stored

geography paper 1 (3 decks)

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