3.1.1.4: Water,Carbon, climate and life on earth

Question 1

Outline the relationship between the water cycle and the carbon cycle in the atmosphere (4)

Answer 1

Increasing concentration of carbon and methane means more solar radiation absorbed and increased global warming which causes increased evaporation. This increases the rate of precipitation. Volcanic eruptions release carbon dioxide and water vapour into the atmosphere. Photosynthesis needs both water and carbon dioxide. Decomposition releases carbon dioxide and needs the presence of water.

Question 2

Positive feedback in the carbon cycle:

Answer 2

1) Melting of permafrost due to climate change and solar radiation
2)This releases carbon and methane that was frozen in matter
3)This increases the amount of carbon and methane in the atmoshere
4) This enhances the greenhouse effect
5) More permafrost will melt due to higher temperatures

Question 3

Positive feedback in water cycle:

Answer 3

solar radiations causes evaporation, this means more water vapour in the atmosphere. This means more greenhouse gasses so higher temperatures and more evaporation.

solar radiation causes the melting of sea ice which exposes dark ocean waters. This reduces albedo so more solar radiation is absorbed and the earth heats up.

Question 4

Negative feedback in water cycle

Answer 4

Evaporation increases
water evaporates to form water vapour
causes more clouds to form
increased cloud cover reflects solar radiation back into space meaning tempratures fall.

Question 5

Negative feedback in carbon cycle:

Answer 5

temp inc due to anthropogenic causes
Increased plant growth form carbon fertilisation
plants absorb and remove CO2 form atmosphere
amounts of co2 in atmosphere decrease and temperature falls

Question 6

Explain the concept of negative feedback within the carbon cycle (4)

Answer 6

1) Negative feedback returns a system towards equilibrium
2) By counteracting any changes made to the system earlier
3)For example temperatures increase due to anthropogenic causes lead to increased plant growth from carbon fertilisation
4) Plant absorb and remove co2 from the atmosphere reducing amount of co2 and greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. This means the tempratures decrease

Question 7

Human intervention 1: CCS

Answer 7

1)Fuel such as coal or gas is mined from its natural reserves in the ground.

2)Coal or gas fired power stations will have a CO2 capture plant attached, capturing the CO2 that would have otherwise been emitted.

3)CO2 is compressed and transported by pipeline to a processing station eg: oil rig.

4)The CO2 is injected as a liquid into suitable geological reservoirs such as aquifers or fossil fuel deposits.

5)These sites provide storage for the captured CO2 preventing it from being added to the atmosphere.

Question 8

Advantages of CCS:

Answer 8

Dec co2 emission in atmosphere by 80-90% when applied to power stations

will support 100,000 jobs in the uk

allowed continued use of fossil fuels in combusion engines

Question 9

disatvatages of ccs:

Answer 9

potentially inc cost of energy by 20%
requieres alot of energy to compress and capture CO2
leakage may contaminate groundwater stores and damage local ecosystem

Question 10

Human intervention 2: changing land use

Answer 10

The soil in the recovery field must recover before being used again
Soil does not become exhausted
Succession can take place, so the vegetation cover protects the soil
Prevents soil degradation and desertification.More biodiversity means more sequestration
Cover crop means less soil erosion so soil is not degraded and can support crops.
Less surface run off due to covering of soil, keeps carbon in soil.

Question 11

Human intervention 3:

Answer 11

More bike lanes
electric hybrid cars
more busses
eletric bikes
more efficient engines in planes
more aerodynamic
adopting more fuel efficient and higher altitudes for less drag