Water and Carbon cycles

what is the role of cryospheric change in the water cycle?

the water cycle is a closed system. The cryosphere has a regulatory role in sea levels. When tehre is a period of cooling, the cryosphere grows, and in a period of warming the cryosphere will add to the water cycle as more ice melts

3 types of rainfall

convectional, relief, frontal

What is albedo

when sunlight is reflected away from the earths surface

what is interception

vegetation stopping precipitation reaching the soil

what is infiltration

water moving through rock

what is percolation

water moving through soil

What is a drainage basin

An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries

How can deforestation affect the water cycle?

• Deforestation reduces the number of trees and roots.

• Fewer trees and roots disrupt the hydrological cycle.

• Reduced absorption and evaporation lead to increased surface runoff.

• More water flows into rivers and oceans, contributing to rising sea levels.

• Rising sea levels result in increased evapotranspiration.

• Changes in evapotranspiration alter precipitation patterns and increase humidity.

• The combination of these factors leads to more floods and storm surges.

what is drainage density

How many rivers and streams there are in a specific area

What is a flash flood?

A sudden and intense flood that occurs within a short period, typically within 6 hours of heavy rainfall or the sudden release of water such as a breach in a dam

What is discharge?

rate of flow measured in cubic metres per second

What factors in the nile can impact upon the flood hydrograph?

1. rainfall patterns - the nile experiences wet, usually august and dry seasons. Changes in seasonal rainfall patterns can result in alteration in peak discharge, peak rainfall and lag time

2. agriculture - less vegetation means more surface runoff as less water is absorbed and evaporated, leaking to more peak discharge - If the soil is ploughed, it can lead to more percolation, decreasing peak discharge and increasing lag time

3. urbanisation - urban areas may experience faster runoff as a result of less vegetation

4. climate change - Climate change can lead to alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns, influencing the flood hydrograph. It can also lead to more droughts

5. construction of the aswan dam - reduces peak discharge. As well as this, Lake Nasser and the dam contribute to the controlled release of water from the reservoir affects downstream hydrological conditions

6. water abstraction - can alter peak discharge.

7. rising sea levels - more peak discharge

What is water abstraction

Withdrawing water from a store

Why do people use water abstraction

1. agriculture

2. drinking water

3. hydroelectric power

4. domestic use

5. manufacturing

How much of Egypts power does the aswan dam support

10%

what is lag time

the amount of time between peak discharge and peak rainfall

What is the source of the white nile?

Lake victoria

What is the source of the blue nile

Ethiopian highlands

How long is the river exe

82km

Where is the source of the river exe

Exmoor

What is the size of the upper catchment of the river exe?

601km²

Factors that can impact upon the river Exe catchement

1. geology - it is made of mostly permeable rock (sandstone), so it means that there is a high drainage density

2. agriculture - can lead to more surface runoff as a result of fewer trees and vegetation as a result of less water absorption and interception.

3. Wimbleball reservoir - the reservoir regulates water flow. This prevents peaks and troughs on water flow, affecting peak discharge.

4. circular drainage basin making the flood hydrograph more flashy

5. intensity of storm

Give 5 examples of carbon stores

1. atmosphere

2. biomass

3. fossil fuels

4. oceans

5. peatbogs

Give 5 examples of carbon flows/transfers

1. combustion

2. respiration

3. decomposition

4. photosynthesis

5. deforestation

Is the carbon system open or closed on a global scale?

closed system

Give an example of the fast carbon cycle, with an explanation and time scale

Photosynthesis:
- rapid exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and living organism
- occurs over days

Give an example of the slow carbon cycle, with an explanation and time scale

Rock erosion and weathering:
- gradual breakdown of rocks, releasing carbon into the soil and water
- Long-term, occurring over thousands to millions of years

what percent of peat is made from carbon?

60%

How does carbon dioxide become stored in deep ocean sediments?

• Ocean surface waters absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide.

• Processes such as photosynthesis and calcium carbonate formation utilise this carbon.

• Marine organisms incorporate carbon into their structures.

• When these organisms die, carbon-rich materials sink to the ocean floor.

• Over time, sediments accumulate, forming carbon-rich layers.

• After millions of years, these sediments transform into rocks.

where are the majority of the worlds oil reserves?

The middle east

What is the biological pump?

Phytoplankton absorb carbon through photosynthesis, and as they die or are eaten, the stored carbon sinks to the deep ocean, regulating Earth's climate by removing carbon from the atmosphere

what is vertical deep mixing?

when warm water on the oceans surface from the warm tropics is carried to the polar regions, where the water cools down, so the water becomes denser and sinks. When the cold water warms up and rises to the surface again, it loses CO2

How do farming practices affect the carbon cycle?

when soil is ploughed, the soil layers invert, air mixes in and soil microbial activity increases. This results in organic matter in the soil being broken down much quicker, and carbon being lost from the soil into the atmosphere

how does carbon from tectonic plates return to the atmosphere?

• Subduction occurs at a destructive plate margin.

• The denser, carbon-rich oceanic plate is pushed under the continental plate.

• The oceanic plate melts as it descends.

• Carbon rises through volcanoes in the form of carbon dioxide.

What is thermal expansion?

when water gets warmer, which causes the volume of the ocean to increase

What is sequestration?

the act of separating and storing a harmful substance such as carbon dioxide in a way that keeps it safe

how much of man made carbon dioxide comes from burning fossil fuels

Over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are due to the burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation

what % of global methane production comes from rice?

20%

Name 3 natural causes of change in the carbon cycle

1. photosynthesis

2. volcanic activity

3. wildfires

How many hectares of forest are cut down every year?

13 million

what is the avreage temp in rainforests?

28 dgerees

how much of the worlds oxygen do rainforests emit?

20%

What percent of wood is made up of carbon?

50%

how much excess carbon was absorbed than lost by the amazon in 2019 in comparison to the 1990s?

in 2019 it was 600 million tonnes, but in the 1990s, it was around 2 billion tonnes each year

How has an increase in atmospheric CO2 lead to trees dying?

An increase in atmospheric CO2 contributes to climate change, causing higher temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and more extreme weather events. These changes stress trees by reducing water availability, increasing susceptibility to pests and diseases, and disrupting ecosystems, leading to higher tree mortality rates.

What is the average discharge of water from the amazon into the atlantic ocean?

175,000 m³/s

Of the amount of water evaporated in the amazon, how much falls again as rain?

48%

Between 2000 and 2007, what was the rate of deforestation per year in the amazon

almost 20,000 km²

What are the effects of the deforestation method of slash and burn?

1. reduces humidity

2. sudden evaporation of water previously retained in the forest canopy

3. increased albedo and temperature

4. reduces porosity of soil, causing faster rainfall drainage, erosion and silting of rivers and lakes

What is the difference in average temperature between rainforests and the pastures that they are replaced with?

rainforests have an average temperature of 24C, but the pastures are 33C

How much of the amazon rainforest has been lost?

20%

What would the effect of a 2C rise in temperature be on the amazon?

20-40% of the amazon will die off within 100 years

What are 3 methods of mitigation in the amazon rainforest?

1. creation of national parks such as the para rainforest reserve, which is 15 million hectares

2. forest biofuel production may compete with ethanol production from sugar cane by 2030

3. afforestation

What are the effects of warming waters in the amazon?

1. kill off temperature dependent species

2. change in biodiversity

3. reduce oxygen concentration in the water, which may kill eggs and larvae

What is the change in ocean pH in the last 30 years

8.11 to 8.06

What is surface water and what does it include?

Surface water is free-flowing water of rivers as well as the water of ponds and lakes. This includes:

1. rivers

2. lakes

3. wetlands

What is groundwater?

Water that collects underground in the pore spaces of rocks

What is the relationship between water and carbon cycles in the atmosphere?

1. Higher levels of carbon result in increased melting os the cryosphere, resulting in higher sea leves. This increases evapotranspiration further amplifying the effect of climate change

How much carbon do UFZ estimate the amazon stored in 2019

76 billion tonnes

How much excess carbon (as acarbon sink) do the UFZ estimate the amazon stored in 2019 compared to the 90s

In 2019 the amazon stored 600 million tonnes of carbon more than it lost. However in the 90s this figure was estimated to be around 2 billion

What is the average rainfall in the amazon

2,300mm/year

What is teh role of dynamic equilibrium in teh water cycle

Evaporation of water from bodies of water and transpiration from plants are balanced by condensation to form clouds and subsequent precipitation. These processes reach equilibrium as water moves through the atmosphere, oceans, and land.

what was the increase in carbon between 1000-1800 and what does this show

180PPM-260PPM, showing a natural increase in atmopsheric carbon

What is the flood hydrograph?

a graph that shows how a river catchment is affected by a storm

What are the methods of carbon sequestration

1. capturing - seperation of CO2 from other gases

2. transportation

3. storing - underground gas fields and deep saline aquifers

How much of the earths surface does the ocean cover

72%

What are wetlands

Areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing where there is a dominance of vegetation

What is the importance of wetlands to the carbon cycle

Wetlands cover around 60% of the total surface area of teh arctic, storing considerable amounts of carbon and supporting lots of life in these areas.

How can evaporation drive change in the madnitude of water stores

Evaporation occurs when energy from solar radiation hits the surface of water ir land and causes liquid water to change to a gas. The rate of evaporation depende on amount of solar energy, avaliabliity of water, humidity of the air and air temps.

How can condensation drive change in the magnitude of water stores

Condensation is teh direct cause of a ll precipitation. It takes place when the temp of air is reduced to dew point, but the volume remains constant, which occurs when warm moist air passes over a cold surface. It also occurs when the volume of air increases but no addition in heat such as when air is forced to rise over hills

What is the dew point

The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture, causing water vapour to condense into liquid

How can water abstarction impact the water cycle

Water abstraction may result in sinking water tables, higher pumping costs, as well as in coastal areas, a rise in saltawater intrusion which degreades groundwater, such as is common in greece and italy.

How does water abstraction impact the London Basin

Much of London is covered in permeable sanstone and chalk. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the aquifer was increasingly expolited due to industrialisation. At the peak of industrialisation, teh groundwater fell to 88m below sea level. However, since deindustrialisation, the groundwater levels have recovered by 3m/year in some areas by the 90s. This then posed a threat to things such as the London underground and building foundations

What was the concentartion of carbon in the atmosphere in 2020 in PPM

416PPM

How does land use change impact the carbon cycle

CO2 emissions that result from land use change (mostly deforestation) accoubt for around 30% of anthropogenic carbon emissiosns. Lots of this occurs due to illegal logging and slash and burn, often for cattle grazing.

How does urban growth impact the carbon cycle

As populations grow in urban areas, at an expected rate of 1.3 million per week, urba areas also grow, causing deforestation and an increase in emissions. By 2019, urban areas ccounted for around 75% of the worls carbon emissions.

What is geologic sequestartion

Geologic sequestration is when CO2 is captured at its source, such as is power plants and the injected in liquid form into stores underground

What is terrestrial sequestration

This involves the use of plants to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and then store it the the roots. This has positive environmental benefits, such as the growth of vegetation and less atmospheric CO2, however the risk of a wildfire could cause huge amounts of CO2 lost back into the atmopshere

what are examples of climate change mitigation

1. carbon sequestration

2. renewable energy, such as nuclear, solar and wind

3. improving the aviation industry, such as fuel efficiency, chnaging routes to lower contrail formation and shorter flight times by effective planning from ATC

4. afforestation and changing agricultural methods

5. Urban design, such as green roofs, waste management practicesm recycling, improved insulation

What are the benefits and drawbacks of the paris climate agreement

The Paris Climate Agreement promotes global cooperation by allowing nations to set flexible targets, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C while supporting developing countries with funding and technology. It encourages accountability through regular reviews and reporting.

However, the agreement faces challenges due to its non-binding nature, insufficiently ambitious pledges, and unfulfilled financial commitments. Additionally, there are concerns about inequality, as developing nations believe industrialised countries should take on more responsibility, and the risk of countries withdrawing undermines its effectiveness

Provide 3 examples of rainforest protection schemes in the Amazon, one IGO, one part IGO part NGO and one NGO

The UNFAO and WB development scheme places 10% of the amazon under strict supervision and protection by the government, with a total of 27 million hectares protected. this has countered deforestation, and combined with re-education efforts to local populations, has led to a reduction in deforestation by up to 30%

REDD have managed to reforst degraded lands with over 250,000 trees. This is a part of the Amazon fund, created in 2008 to reduce greenhouse emissions from deforestation. The funding mainly goes to monitoring and combatting deforestation, one of the biggest problems the amazon faces

Rainforest aliance asim to allow current business activity in the Amazon to continue, but in a more sustainable manner, removing the negative effects on the water and carbon cycles. This can support locals, encourage sustainable trading and preserve human rights all while proetcting the Amazon

How have natural and human factors increased the amount of CO2 in teh atmosphere, through a greater input of carbon

Natural factors:

• volcanic activity

Human factors:

• burning of fossil fuels

• more wildfires

• positive feedback effect of melting sea ice and Tundra

How have natural and human factors increased the amount of CO2 in teh atmosphere, through a reduced removal of carbon

Natural:

• glacial periods (less vegetation)

• interglacial periods (warmer ocans absorb less CO2)

Human:

• deforestation

• Climate change leading to warmer oceans

How have natural and human factors reduced the amount of atmospheric carbon, through reduced input of carbon

Natural:

• long term reduction of volcanic activity

Human:

• Carbon capture and sequestration

How have natural and human factors reduced the amount of atmospheric carbon, through increased removal of carbon

Natural:

• glacial periods (cooler oceans absorb more CO2)

• Interglacial periods (more vegetation)

Human:

• Afforestation projects

At what rate is Earths cryosphere shrinking

Between 1976 and 2016, earths cryosphere shrank by around 87,000km² per year. This is principally a result of climate change and increasing global temperatures which cause melting not only more frequently but for also many semi-frozen landscapes, increased periods of ice depletion

What is the impatc of melting permafrost in teh tundra

the release of potentially vast amounts of stored carbon in the form of methane (CH4) as well as carbon dioxide (CO2). Not only is methane a greenhouse gas, it has far more potency than CO2 to absorb and trap atmospheric heat, contributing to yet further global temperature increase.

What is the impact of melting permafrost on the biosphere and its release of greenhouse gases

Rising global temperatures, especially in northern latitudes, accelerate permafrost melting. This releases organic matter into active layers where microorganisms decompose it. With oxygen, this produces carbon dioxide; in anaerobic, waterlogged conditions, methane is released.

How much carbon does the Yedoma region hold in its permafrost

The Siberian tundra’s Yedoma deposits, covering over a million km², are 50-90% ice and 2% carbon. They contain 210-450 Gt of carbon, which could be released as CO₂ or CH₄. Global permafrost holds over 1,400 Gt of carbon, nearly twice the atmospheric carbon (~850 Gt).

How is the Siberian Tundra a carbon sink

The Siberian tundra’s warming extends the growing season, boosting plant growth due to higher temperatures and CO₂ levels. This vegetation absorbs more carbon than melting permafrost releases, making the tundra a net carbon sink.

However, if temperatures rise further and more permafrost thaws, carbon release could exceed plant absorption. Methane is over 20 times more potent than CO₂ at trapping heat but lasts only about 12 years, compared to CO₂’s 50-100 years.

Features of the Amazon

Worlds largest rainforest of over 670m hectares

Contains over 300bn trees and 15,000 species

34m people depend on the amazons resources for their survival

What is the increase in biomass in the amazon and why

The amazon has been increasing its overground biomass by 0.3%-0.5% each year, due to higher CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere

Brazil as a carbon emitter

Brazil are the worlds 4th largest polluter, 75% of its emissions attributed to deforestation and lnd use change, 59% of which comes from burning

What are the differences between forests and the pastures they are replaced with

Forests absorb 11% more solar radiation

Average temps of rainforests is 24C, but the pastures in 33C

Moisture content in topsoil is 15% lower in pasture land than in forest

Describe the vegetation changes in the amazon

WWF estimates that 20% of the Amazon has already been lost, with this figure expected to rise to 27% by 2030 due largely to deforestation but also climate change

A 2009 study concluded that a 2C rise in temps would see 20-40% of the Amazon die off within 100 years, 3C 75% and 4C 85%

Describe the soil changes in the Amazon

Soils in the Amazon contain 9KG of carbon in the top 50cm, whilst pasture lands contain just 1KG/m²

When forests are cleared and burnt, 30-60% of the carbon is lost directly into the atmosphere along with fungi and bacterie that recycle material killed off