what are the 4 categories under the hydrosphere | surface water, atmosphere, cryosphere, oceanic |
what is included under surface water | soil moisture, lakes, rivers, puddles, ground water, biological water |
what is included under the cryosphere | permafrost, alpine glaciers, sea ice, ice sheets, ice caps |
what is a positive feedback loop | when the change makes the problem worse |
what is a negative feedback loop | when the change nulifies the problem |
give an example of a positive and negative feedback loop | negative: cloud coverage
positive: ice albedo effect |
give reasons that atmospheric water is important | 1) clouds and rainfall important part of many systems
2) water vapour, reflects scatters and absorbs solar radiation
3) evaporation/ ghg effect keeps earth habitable |
give reasons that cryospheric water is important | 1) ice albedo feedback loop
2)ocean currents caused by ice at the poles
3) sea level rise if ice melts ( approx. 60m)
4)permafrost high in methane a strong ghg would be released
5) river discharge decline if river source was ice |
give reasons that oceanic water is important | 1) main store
2) largest store of heat and carbon
3) ocean currents distribute heat
4) ocean most diverse ecosystem |
give reasons that terrestrial water is important | 1) source of drinking water eg las vegas and london
2) supports life inland and deserts |