Key Role in Supporting Life (AQA A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Jacque Cartwright
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Carbon & Water as Life-support
The water and carbon cycles interact directly
Volcanic eruptions transfer water and carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere
Water has the ability to absorb and transfer CO2
Water transports weathered material and organic matter, (containing carbon) from land to the oceans as part of the carbon cycle and ocean acidification
Calcium carbonate in the ocean is used for coral, shell and skeletal formation by marine animals
Changes in atmospheric carbon concentrations affect water cycling and precipitation patterns
Photosynthesis and respiration transfer carbon and water between the biosphere and the atmosphere
Evapotranspiration increases with higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere
Changes in the carbon cycle are melting parts of the cryosphere (permafrost), releasing more carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere
Ecosystems play a key role in carbon cycling and the availability of moisture for plant and animal distribution and growth is important
Limits of water, reduce plant growth; limited plant growth reduces carbon cycling and transfer of nutrients to the soil; lack of nutrients and water exposes soil erosion; soil erosion can lead to desertification
In the atmosphere
When CO2 atmospheric concentration levels increase, air temperature increases too
This raises ocean temperatures and evaporation rates increase transferring more water vapour into the atmosphere
This amplifies the greenhouse effect
Water vapour contributes more to the overall natural greenhouse effect than CO2
Water vapour in the atmosphere is controlled by levels of atmospheric CO2
The natural greenhouse effect is generated through concentration levels of:
20% carbon dioxide
8% trace gases and aerosols
17% clouds
55% water vapour
Hydro and halo carbons are industrial gases and contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect
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