Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Geography - Paper 1 > Water & Carbon Cycles > Flashcards

Water & Carbon Cycles Flashcards

(47 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is a system?

A

A set of interrelated components that work together to carry out a processs

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

refer to energy and matter.

What is an open system?

A

Energy and matter can be transferred into the surrounding environment. There are inputs and outputs

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

What is an example of an open system?

how?

A

Drainage basin

Sun is energy, water is an input and throughflow is an output.

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

refer to energy and matter.

What is a closed system?

A

Matter is not transferred - only energy - but is cycled between the stores

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

What is an example of a closed system?

how?

A

Carbon cycle

Input (energy) = sun.
Output = respiration.
Carbon (matter) is the same.

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

What is an isolated system?

A

No interactions outside the system

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

Define dynamic equilibrium

A

Inputs and outputs are the same (balanced)

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

Define positive feedback

A

Effects of an action are amplified by subsequent knock on effects

moves further from original state

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

Define negative feedback

A

Effects of an action are counteracted by subsequent knock on effects

moves closer to the original state/ decreases the effects of change

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

Explain how an input of increased use of fossil fuels can lead to a negative feedback loop.

A

An in increase in ff, leads to more CO2 - causing global warming. This leads to more plant growth - which takes in CO2. This reduces CO2 in the atmosphere - reducing overall CO2 and the global temperature.

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

Explain how an input of increased use of fossil fuels can lead to a positive feedback loop.

A

An increase in ff leads to a rise in ghg. This warms the ocean - leading to higher oceanic temperatures. Warm water is less able to disolve gas. CO2 is released by oceans and into the atmosphere.

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

Definition

Hydrosphere

A

Liquid water

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

Definition

Lithosphere

A

Water stored in the crust/ upper mantle

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

Cryosphere

A

Water that is frozen

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

Atmosphere

A

Water Vapour

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

What percentage of total global water is fresh water?

A

2.5%

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

What percentage of total global water is oceanic?

A

96.5%

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

Approximately what percentage of fresh water is frozen?

A

70%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Approximately what percentage of fresh water is underground?

20
Q

Approximately what percentage of fresh water is on the surface?

21
Q

Definition

Transpiration

Study These Flashcards
A

The process of moisture/ water vapour being lost from vegetation

Usually via stomata

22
Q

What is the water budget?

Study These Flashcards
A

The annual balance between inputs and outputs - precipitation, evapotranspiration and run-off

affects how much water is stored in the drainage basin

23
Q

What is the equation for the water budget?

Study These Flashcards
A

P = Q + E +/- S

P (Precipitation) = Q (Discharge) + E (Evapotranspiration) +/- S Soil gw

24
Q

What is on the Y axis on the water balance graph?

Study These Flashcards
A

Precipitation (mm)

25
What is on the X axis on the water balance graph?
Months
26
What order is the water balance in (soil moisture) | 4 categories
1. Soil moisture recharge (Nov to January) 2. Soil moisture surplus (February to April) 3. Soil moisture utilisation (May to August) 4. Soil moisture deficit (August to October)
27
What input(s) are in the river basin system?
precipitation
28
# 4 stores What stores are in the river basin system?
Interception: water that does not reach the ground's surface - falls on to leaves/ vegetation Surface storage: storage of moisture on the surface (before infriltration) Soil moisture: water stored in pores in the soil (before percolation) Groundwater: storage of water beneath the water table (fully saturated)
29
# 5 flows/transfers What flows are in the river basin system?
Infiltration: absorption of water through permeable surfaces e.g. soil Percolation: downwards movement of water through soil/rock Throughflow: Horizontal flow of water in soil moisture storage Groundwater flow: Horizontal flow of water in groundwater storage - going towards the river channel. Overland flow: water does not infriltrate the soil
30
Factors affecting infriltration
Rainfall intensity: greater intensity, infriltation capacity reached faster = less infriltration Vegetation cover: slows down rainfall, slows infriltration. layer of humus also slows it Type of soil: high porosity and permeability = more infriltration
31
# 3 outputs What outputs are in the river basin system?
Transpiration, Evaporation, River channel
32
# definition Hydrograph
River discharge plotted against time
33
What are the two types of hydrographs?
Storm (specific event) and annual
34
# definition Storm hydrograph
Illustrates the short term fluctuations of discharge in a river after a single episode of rainfall
35
# definition River flood
Rivers overflow their capacity and spill out onto surrounding land
36
# definition Flash flood
Rapid rise of water in a short period of time | due to intense rainfall
37
# definition Annual hydrograph
Illustrates the long term seasonal changes
38
# 5 components Components of a hydrograph
Peak rainfall: the highest amount of rainfall in an episode of rain Rising limb: the rate of increase of the river discharge to the peak rainfall Lag time: time period between maximum rainfall and maximum discharge Crest: shows maximum discharge Recession limb: rate of river discharge receding Peak discharge, bankfull discharge, base flow
39
Factors affecting a storm hydrograph - basin
Size: small basin means rainfall fills the channel quicker = shorter lag time Shape: Circular basin - tributaries will all reach the basin at a similar time = shorter lag time Relief: steeper slope, water reaches the basin faster = shorter lag time
40
Factors affecting a storm hydrograph - other
Prolonged rainfall: ground may be saturated, leading to overland flow resulting in increased river discharge Vegetation cover: roots and humus absorb water = shorter rising limb Urbanisation: impermeable surfaces = more run off
41
Stores in the carbon cycle and their sizes (gigagtons)
Earth's crust: 100,000,000 (carbon locked in sedimentary rocks) Oceans: 38,000 (majority dissolved) Fossil fuels: 4000 (carbon is returned to the atmosphere through combustion) Soils: 1,500 ( weathering from rocks/ decaying) Atmosphere: 750 Plants: 560
42
Flows in the carbon cycle | amount they transfer annually
Photosynthesis: 120 (absorption from the atmosphere) Ocean uptake: 92 Ocean loss: 90 Plant/soil respiration: 60 (each) release co2 Litterfall(decomposition): 60 (into soil) Deforestation/land use change: 0.9 Rivers: 0.8 (weathering/carbonation) Volcanoes: 0.1
43
What would the carbon cycle be like without any human impacts (burning of fossil fuels and deforestation/land use change)
In a state of dynamic equilibrium
44
# Definition Carbon Budget
Balance of transfers between stores - any increase of CO2 is directly counterbalanced with an increase in the amount being stored in sinks.
45
# 2 Impacts of increasing CO2 in the atmosphere
- Results in warming (enhances the natural gh effect) - More evaporation = higher humidity levels (water vapour also enhances the gh effect)
46
# 4 Impacts of increasing CO2 on land
- Increased temperatures extend the growing season which leads to greater growth/productivity (negative feedback) - Warmer temperatures can stress plants - too extreme. Availability of water has an affect on photosynthesis - Carbon fertilisation: models predict plants might grow from 12 to 76% more if atmospheric CO2 doubled - Permafrost melts - which holds tons of carbon, releasing it. northern hemisphere alone is around 1600 - 10% =0.7 degree rise
47
# 5 Impacts of increasing CO2 on ocean
- Co2 dissolved in the ocean creates carbonic acid which increases the acidity of the water - More acidic water dissolves calcium carbonate which damages/weakens the shells of marine organisms - Loss of sea ice due to warmer temperatures. Albedo effect - white surfaces are lost so more sunlight is being absorbed - Rising sea levels are rising (3.5mm per year) affecting ocean salinity (less salty) - Less phytoplankton which grow better (photosynthesise) in cooler, more nutrient rich conditions | approx 30% of co2 put into the atmosphere is difussed into the ocean

Geography - Paper 1 (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions