The Water and Carbon Cycles
Explain the role of dynamic equilibrium in the water cycle (4)
Dynamic equilibrium refers to a state of balance within a system that is experiencing a
constant state of change, with inputs, such as precipitation, and outputs, such as
evapotranspiration, being equal. On a local scale of the water cycle, the system is open
therefore meaning there are constant transfers of matter and energy in and out of the
system boundary, showing the state of change, but inputs and outputs remain in balance to
ensure dynamic equilibrium. However, on a global scale, the water cycle is a closed system
meaning that the flows and transfers are in dynamic equilibrium due to being contained
within the system boundary.
Explain the role of cryospheric change in the water cycle (4)
Historically, ice sheets and glaciers have stored significant proportions of fresh water
through the process of accumulation but recently, the cryosphere has begun to shrink in size
due to global warming. As global temperatures increase, glaciers calve and ice sheets melt,
transferring water from the cryosphere to the hydrosphere as it becomes liquid water. It is
expected that if all global glaciers and ice sheets melt, global sea levels will rise by 60
meters. This process decreases the size of the cryosphere store and increase the size of the
ocean store/hydrosphere.
Outline potential impacts of farming practices upon the water cycle (4)
Arable farming (plants) increases the rate of evapotranspiration and interception through
plant growth – furthermore, ploughing increase the rate of infiltration as it loosens the soil,
increasing the outflows for the water cycle system; arable farming increases outflows as the
water cycle is open on a local scale taking the system further from its original state of
dynamic equilibrium. Pastoral farming (animal) increases surface runoff and decreases the
rate of infiltration due to animals trampling and compacting the ground, this reduces the
flow of water into soil and bedrock.
Explain the concept of feedback loops in relation to the carbon cycle (4)
Negative feedback loops refer to those that return a system to dynamic equilibrium by
nullifying the impacts of the initial change and positive feedback loops refer to those that
take a system further away from dynamic equilibrium by amplifying the impacts of the initial
change. A positive feedback loop in the carbon cycle occurs when trees are deforested,
releasing co2 from the organic matter to the atmosphere – this then increases global
warming which encourages wildfires, releasing further co2 previously locked within trees;
this exacerbates the greenhouse gas effect and takes the system further from dynamic
equilibrium. In the carbon cycle a negative feedback loop occurs when, as a result of
increased atmosphere carbon dioxide, surface temperatures increase slightly; as a result of
this, the rate of evapotranspiration will increase, consequentially leading to more cloud
, cover. Due to increased cloud cover, more sunlight is then reflected back into space,
reducing atmospheric temperatures and nullifying the initial change.
Outline the process of decomposition in the carbon cycle (4)
Decomposition refers to where decaying organic matter and vegetation is broken down by
decomposers such as bacteria and detritivores which respire, releasing carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere; respiration releases co2 as animals and plants converts oxygen and glucose
into energy, creating waste products of co2 and water which is then transferred to the
atmosphere. Some organic matter is returned to the ground where it is stored, adding
carbon matter to the soil.
Explain the concept of positive feedback loops in relation to the water cycle (4)
Positive feedback loops refer to those which take a system further from dynamic
equilibrium by amplifying the impacts of the initial change. As global temperatures increase,
the quantity of water vapour in the atmosphere increases; however due to water vapours
characterisation as a greenhouse gas, increased atmospheric water vapour increases climate
change due to increased greenhouse gases. This therefore further increases global
temperatures, increasing the proportion of water vapour in the atmosphere even further;
this loop continues, taking the water cycle system further form a state of dynamic
equilibrium.
Explain the concept of negative feedback loops in relation to the water cycle (4)
Negative feedback loops refer to those that return a system to its original state by nullifying
the impacts of the initial change. In regards to the water cycle, negative feedback occurs
when precipitation increases, therefore encouraging further plant growth; increased
vegetation therefore increases both evapotranspiration and interception in the water cycle,
reducing the rate of surface runoff. On a local scale, this helps to stabilise the system,
therefore returning it to its original state.
Explain the concept of negative feedback loops in relation to the carbon cycle (4)
A negative feedback loop refers to those that return a system to a point of dynamic
equilibrium by nullifying the impact of the initial change. In the carbon cycle a negative
feedback loop occurs when, as a result of increased atmosphere carbon dioxide, surface
temperatures increase slightly; as a result of this, the rate of evapotranspiration will
increase, consequentially leading to more cloud cover. Due to increased cloud cover, more
sunlight is then reflected back into space, reducing atmospheric temperatures and nullifying
the initial change; this returns the system back to tis original state.
Explain the concept of positive feedback loops in relation to the carbon cycle (4)
A positive feedback loop refers to those that take a system further from a point of dynamic
equilibrium by amplifying the impact of the initial change. In the carbon cycle a positive
Explain the role of dynamic equilibrium in the water cycle (4)
Dynamic equilibrium refers to a state of balance within a system that is experiencing a
constant state of change, with inputs, such as precipitation, and outputs, such as
evapotranspiration, being equal. On a local scale of the water cycle, the system is open
therefore meaning there are constant transfers of matter and energy in and out of the
system boundary, showing the state of change, but inputs and outputs remain in balance to
ensure dynamic equilibrium. However, on a global scale, the water cycle is a closed system
meaning that the flows and transfers are in dynamic equilibrium due to being contained
within the system boundary.
Explain the role of cryospheric change in the water cycle (4)
Historically, ice sheets and glaciers have stored significant proportions of fresh water
through the process of accumulation but recently, the cryosphere has begun to shrink in size
due to global warming. As global temperatures increase, glaciers calve and ice sheets melt,
transferring water from the cryosphere to the hydrosphere as it becomes liquid water. It is
expected that if all global glaciers and ice sheets melt, global sea levels will rise by 60
meters. This process decreases the size of the cryosphere store and increase the size of the
ocean store/hydrosphere.
Outline potential impacts of farming practices upon the water cycle (4)
Arable farming (plants) increases the rate of evapotranspiration and interception through
plant growth – furthermore, ploughing increase the rate of infiltration as it loosens the soil,
increasing the outflows for the water cycle system; arable farming increases outflows as the
water cycle is open on a local scale taking the system further from its original state of
dynamic equilibrium. Pastoral farming (animal) increases surface runoff and decreases the
rate of infiltration due to animals trampling and compacting the ground, this reduces the
flow of water into soil and bedrock.
Explain the concept of feedback loops in relation to the carbon cycle (4)
Negative feedback loops refer to those that return a system to dynamic equilibrium by
nullifying the impacts of the initial change and positive feedback loops refer to those that
take a system further away from dynamic equilibrium by amplifying the impacts of the initial
change. A positive feedback loop in the carbon cycle occurs when trees are deforested,
releasing co2 from the organic matter to the atmosphere – this then increases global
warming which encourages wildfires, releasing further co2 previously locked within trees;
this exacerbates the greenhouse gas effect and takes the system further from dynamic
equilibrium. In the carbon cycle a negative feedback loop occurs when, as a result of
increased atmosphere carbon dioxide, surface temperatures increase slightly; as a result of
this, the rate of evapotranspiration will increase, consequentially leading to more cloud
, cover. Due to increased cloud cover, more sunlight is then reflected back into space,
reducing atmospheric temperatures and nullifying the initial change.
Outline the process of decomposition in the carbon cycle (4)
Decomposition refers to where decaying organic matter and vegetation is broken down by
decomposers such as bacteria and detritivores which respire, releasing carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere; respiration releases co2 as animals and plants converts oxygen and glucose
into energy, creating waste products of co2 and water which is then transferred to the
atmosphere. Some organic matter is returned to the ground where it is stored, adding
carbon matter to the soil.
Explain the concept of positive feedback loops in relation to the water cycle (4)
Positive feedback loops refer to those which take a system further from dynamic
equilibrium by amplifying the impacts of the initial change. As global temperatures increase,
the quantity of water vapour in the atmosphere increases; however due to water vapours
characterisation as a greenhouse gas, increased atmospheric water vapour increases climate
change due to increased greenhouse gases. This therefore further increases global
temperatures, increasing the proportion of water vapour in the atmosphere even further;
this loop continues, taking the water cycle system further form a state of dynamic
equilibrium.
Explain the concept of negative feedback loops in relation to the water cycle (4)
Negative feedback loops refer to those that return a system to its original state by nullifying
the impacts of the initial change. In regards to the water cycle, negative feedback occurs
when precipitation increases, therefore encouraging further plant growth; increased
vegetation therefore increases both evapotranspiration and interception in the water cycle,
reducing the rate of surface runoff. On a local scale, this helps to stabilise the system,
therefore returning it to its original state.
Explain the concept of negative feedback loops in relation to the carbon cycle (4)
A negative feedback loop refers to those that return a system to a point of dynamic
equilibrium by nullifying the impact of the initial change. In the carbon cycle a negative
feedback loop occurs when, as a result of increased atmosphere carbon dioxide, surface
temperatures increase slightly; as a result of this, the rate of evapotranspiration will
increase, consequentially leading to more cloud cover. Due to increased cloud cover, more
sunlight is then reflected back into space, reducing atmospheric temperatures and nullifying
the initial change; this returns the system back to tis original state.
Explain the concept of positive feedback loops in relation to the carbon cycle (4)
A positive feedback loop refers to those that take a system further from a point of dynamic
equilibrium by amplifying the impact of the initial change. In the carbon cycle a positive
