Water and carbon

• What are the components of a system?

  Inputs, outputs, stores, flows, boundaries
• What is the definition of an open system?

  Systems that exchange energy or matter with others
• What characterizes a closed system?

  Energy inputs equal outputs
• What does dynamic equilibrium mean in a system?

  Inputs equal outputs despite changing conditions
• What is positive feedback in a system?

  Amplification of the impacts of an event
• What does negative feedback refer to?

  Nullification of the impacts of an event
• How are the carbon and water cycles characterized on a local scale?

  Both are open systems
• What are the components of the water cycle at a local scale?

  Flows, transfers, inputs, outputs, stores
• What is an output in a local drainage basin system?

  Evapotranspiration and streamflow
• What is the definition of evapotranspiration?

  Return of water to the atmosphere from evaporation and transpiration
• What are the inputs in a local drainage basin system?

  Precipitation
• What is groundwater?

  Water stored in the pore spaces of rocks
• What is the purpose of the water balance formula?

  To express water storage and transfer in a basin
• What does the water balance formula state?

  Precipitation = Total Runoff + Evapotranspiration +/- Storage

  
• How does deforestation impact the water cycle?

  Reduces interception and soil water storage
• What effect do storm events have on the water cycle?

  Increases runoff and water storage
• How do seasonal changes affect the water cycle?

  More interception in spring; snow reduces flows
• What is the soil water budget?

  Annual balance between inputs and outputs in the water cycle

  
• What happens to soil water in winter months?

  Surplus of water after recharge in autumn
• What is field capacity in the context of soil water?

  Maximum storage of water in the soil
• What are the four areas where water can be stored globally?

  Hydrosphere, lithosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere
• How long can shallow groundwater aquifers store water?

  Up to 200 years
• How long can deeper fossil aquifers store water?

  May last for 10,000 years
• What is the duration of water storage in glaciers?

  20-100 years
• What is the impact of seasonal snow cover on water storage?

  Stores water for 2-6 months
• What are the natural processes affecting the water cycle?

  Seasonal changes, temperature variations, and precipitation
• What is the effect of deforestation on the water cycle?

  Reduces interception and increases runoff
• How does ploughing affect the water cycle?

  Increases infiltration by breaking up the surface
• What is a flood hydrograph?

  Graph representing rainfall and river discharge

  
• What characterizes a flashy flood hydrograph?

  Short lag time and steep rising limb

  
• What factors increase surface runoff and create a flashy hydrograph?

  High rainfall intensity and impermeable geology
• What is the main store of carbon globally?

  The lithosphere
• What is photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

  Conversion of CO2 and water into glucose
• What is the role of respiration in the carbon cycle?

  Opposite of photosynthesis, releasing CO2
• What is the impact of combustion on the carbon cycle?

  Releases CO2 into the atmosphere
• What happens during decomposition in the carbon cycle?

  Returns CO2 to the atmosphere from dead organisms
• What is carbon sequestration?

  Transfer of carbon from the atmosphere
• What is the effect of weathering and erosion on carbon?

  Transfers carbon to the ocean for marine use
• What is the role of burial and compaction in the carbon cycle?

  Forms limestone and fossil fuels over time
• What are the main carbon stores in order of magnitude?

  Marine sediments, oceans, fossil fuels, soil organic matter, atmosphere, terrestrial plants