100% satisfaction guarantee Immediately available after payment Both online and in PDF No strings attached
Previously searched by you
Assess the extent to which there are inter-relationships between processes in the water cycle and factors driving change in the carbon cycle.$5.18
Add to cart
Assess the extent to which there are inter-relationships between processes in the water
cycle and factors driving change in the carbon cycle [20 marks]
There are some major links between processes in the water cycle and factors driving change
in the carbon cycle. These links mean that the two cycles can’t function without one another
and if one cycle is driven away from equilibrium, this will have knock on effects on the other.
These include decomposition and the fact that carbon can dissolve into large bodies of
water. However, there are some processes independent to the water cycle, including
evaporation and condensation. This means that there are inter-relationships between the
two cycles to a certain extent.
Decomposition is a factor that drives change within the carbon cycle that is closely linked to
processes in the water cycle. Decomposers, such as bacteria, require moisture from water in
the soils in order to break down dead plants and animals. Therefore, without the presence of
water from precipitation in the atmosphere or other sources, decomposition is not possible.
Decomposers also respire in order to survive, which means that a key carbon process can
only operate in the presence of water on soils and groundwater. The Amazon rainforest, for
example, contains ½ of the species in the world. Therefore, these plants need water in order
to survive and when they die, they transfer carbon from the biosphere to the atmosphere.
Without these two cycles, the Amazon rainforest would not be able to function. This shows
the extent to which there are inter-relationships between processes in the water cycle and
factors driving change in the carbon cycle.
The carbon and the water cycle are also linked by the oceans. 30% of carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere has diffused into the oceans, which creates carbonic acid and increases
ocean salinity. This process is called ocean acidification. Higher acidity in the sea increases
the amount of carbon that it can store, therefore reducing the amount of carbon in the
atmosphere. Carbon can also dissolve into precipitation in the atmosphere as the rain falls,
which creates carbonic acid and contributes to ocean acidification event further. This
potentially reveals another link between the major water stores and the factors driving
change in the carbon cycle.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Oliviams. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.18. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
