Earth System Science Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Lithosphere = Water held in the solid outer layer of the Earth's crust Biosphere = Part of Earth in which life exists, including land, water, and air Cryosphere = Involves ice and its impact on the water cycle P factors = Factors that influence water flow and flooding

Match the following water cycle components with their characteristics:

Atmosphere = Accounts for 0.01% of all water on Earth Lithosphere = Accounts for 1.7% of all water on Earth Cryosphere = Grows during periods of cooling Biosphere = Encapsulates all living organisms and their environments

Match the following concepts to their effects on surface runoff:

P factors - steepness = Steep sides lead to faster overland flow P factors - vegetation = Natural land use increases interception and evapotranspiration Cryospheric change - warming = Melting ice adds water to the water cycle Cryospheric change - cooling = Ice restricts the return of water to the sea

Match the following conditions with their impacts on the water cycle:

Cold water = Cannot hold as much water vapor Warm air = Can hold more water vapor Accumulation = Refers to the build-up of ice in the cryosphere Ablation = Refers to the loss of ice in the cryosphere Signup and view all the answers

Match the following percentages with their relevant water sources:

1.7% = Water in Lithosphere 0.01% = Water in Atmosphere 97.5% = Water in Oceans and Seas 2.5% = Freshwater sources on Earth Signup and view all the answers

Match these terms with their corresponding environmental roles:

Biosphere = Supports life on Earth Cryosphere = Influences global sea level through ice melt Lithosphere = Contains groundwater resources Atmosphere = Houses water vapor and weather patterns Signup and view all the answers

Match the following effects of climate change on the cryosphere:

Positive feedback = Occurs with ice melting and adding water to the cycle Negative feedback = Occurs when cooling limits ice melting Sea level rise = Result of accelerated ice melt Interception reduction = Increased flooding potential due to land use changes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following impacts of ocean acidification with their effects:

Reduced food availability = Threatening survival of coastal communities Increased carbon diffusion = Affects marine life and shell formation Chemical weathering = Leads to limestone dissolution Acidified rainwater = Contributes to ocean acidification Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of the water cycle with their roles:

Evaporation = Increases water vapor in the atmosphere Cloud formation = Causes more solar radiation reflection Positive feedback = Leads to further warming and melting Negative feedback = Helps to cool temperatures Signup and view all the answers

Match the following consequences of shrinking Arctic ice with their outcomes:

Less reflection = Increased heat absorption Increased temperatures = Accelerated ice melting Reduced ice coverage = Alters global weather patterns More open trading routes = Enhanced maritime access Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects of the carbon cycle with their interactions:

Carbon diffusion = Facilitates marine chemical processes Carbonation = Allows for shell growth in sea life Limiting acidification = Preserves coral reef health Rainwater acidification = Impacts terrestrial ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements about freshwater availability with their effects:

Rising evaporation = Decreases freshwater supply Increased water vapor = Leads to climate variability Clouds reflecting sunlight = Contributes to cooling Altered precipitation patterns = Impacts agriculture and water access Signup and view all the answers

Match the following periods with their characteristics:

Quaternary Period = Alternation between cold glacial and warm interglacial periods Last Glacial Maximum = Development of large ice sheets in the northern hemisphere Little Ice Age = Accompanied by wide temperature fluctuations and droughts Anthropocene = Human impact on the environment Signup and view all the answers

Match the following processes with their definitions:

Dendrochronology = Counting tree rings to determine the age of a tree Erosion = Loss of soil due to constant exploitation Compaction = Soil becoming less useful for future generations Decomposition = Less effective carbon transfer to the soil Signup and view all the answers

Match the following climatic events with their timeframes:

Quaternary Period = Started 2.6 million years ago Last Glacial Maximum = Occurred approximately 18,000 years ago Little Ice Age = Lasted from 1500 to 1850 Holocene = Began 11,700 years ago Signup and view all the answers

Match the following climatic phenomena with their effects:

Little Ice Age = Causing famines and dislocation Last Glacial Maximum = Affecting high middle latitudes Dendrochronology = Indicates climate through tree growth Anthropocene = Acknowledges human-induced changes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their examples:

Quaternary Period = Holocene and Pleistocene epochs Last Glacial Maximum = Ice age conditions in the Northern Hemisphere Little Ice Age = Periods of severe winter conditions Dendrochronology = Tree ring analysis for climate reconstruction Signup and view all the answers

Match the following environmental impacts with their sources:

Erosion = Constant exploitation of soils Compaction = Heavy machinery in agriculture Human Activity = Initiated the Anthropocene Botanical Growth = Reflected in dendrochronology Signup and view all the answers

Match the following periods with the climate types they represent:

Quaternary Period = Includes both glacial and interglacial periods Last Glacial Maximum = Associated with cold temperatures Little Ice Age = Characterized by extreme weather events Holocene = Current interglacial period with warmer climate Signup and view all the answers

Match the following climatic changes with their consequences:

Little Ice Age = Reduction in agricultural yields Last Glacial Maximum = Expansion of ice sheets Dendrochronology = Indicates fluctuations in moisture and temperature Anthropocene = Widespread environmental degradation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following theories or concepts with their descriptions:

Gaia Hypothesis = The theory that living matter regulates Earth's conditions for life Dynamic Equilibrium = The state of balance maintained in an ecosystem Biosphere = The global sum of all ecosystems Cryosphere = The frozen water part of the Earth's system Signup and view all the answers

Match the following locations with their carbon storage characteristics:

Amazon Rainforest = A huge carbon sink due to mass vegetation Sahara Desert = Very little carbon storage due to lack of vegetation Tropical Rainforests = High carbon storage found near the equator Typical Urban Areas = Moderate carbon storage influenced by human activity Signup and view all the answers

Match the following elements with their carbon storage forms:

Lithosphere = Contains both inorganic and organic carbon forms Sedimentary Rocks = 99.9% of carbon is stored in this form Atmosphere = Carbon exists mainly in gas form as CO2 Soil = Contains organic carbon in the form of litter and humus Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their relevant definitions:

Net Primary Productivity = A measure of ecological activity in an area Carbon Sink = A natural reservoir that stores carbon Fossil Fuels = Inorganic carbon deposits like coal and oil Humus = Organic matter in soil contributing to fertility Signup and view all the answers

Match the following processes/parts of the Earth with their characteristics:

Biosphere = Contains the most carbon storage Cryosphere = Home to minimal carbon content Lithosphere = Largest long-term carbon storage location Hydrosphere = Less carbon storage than lithosphere Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystems with their carbon dynamics:

Tundra = Low productivity due to cold climate Tropical Rainforest = High net primary productivity Desert = Very little net primary productivity Grasslands = Moderate productivity affected by seasonal changes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to Earth's systems:

Geosphere = Includes the solid Earth and rocks Hydrosphere = Includes all water sources on Earth Atmosphere = The layer of gases surrounding Earth Biosphere = The layer of life on Earth Signup and view all the answers

Match the following carbon cycles with their definitions:

Biological Carbon Cycle = Involves carbon movement through living organisms Geological Carbon Cycle = Involves carbon movement through geological formations Oceanic Carbon Cycle = Carbon exchange between the ocean and atmosphere Atmospheric Carbon Cycle = Involves carbon existing in the air as CO2 Signup and view all the answers

Match the carbon cycle components with their descriptions:

Soil = Introduces important nutrients essential for plant growth Fossil Fuels = Provides energy through the burial and compaction of sediment Phytoplankton = Consumes CO2 during photosynthesis in the ocean Permafrost = Holds a large amount of carbon threatened by rising temperatures Signup and view all the answers

Match the carbon cycle functions to their locations:

Land = Carbon used for photosynthesis and fossil fuel creation Ocean = Calcium carbonate helps create shells for marine organisms Atmosphere = CO2 stabilizes global temperatures through the greenhouse effect Soil = Carbon in litter supports essential plant nutrients Signup and view all the answers

Match the processes to their carbon cycle impacts:

Sediment Burial = Formation of fossil fuels over time Photosynthesis = Conversion of CO2 into organic matter by plants Greenhouse Effect = Stabilization of global temperatures by atmospheric CO2 Shell Formation = Utilization of carbon by marine organisms Signup and view all the answers

Match the sources of carbon with their respective roles:

Litter = Provides nutrients vital for plant growth Carbon Dioxide = Gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect Calcium Carbonate = Building material for shells of marine life Energy from Fossil Fuels = Source of energy for various human activities Signup and view all the answers

Match the impact of carbon on ecosystems with the respective context:

Grass = Provides fodder for livestock Carbon Cycle = Represents the transfer and storage of carbon Temperature Rise = Threatens the stability of permafrost Ocean Food Chain = Phytoplankton consumes CO2 and passes energy along Signup and view all the answers

Match the carbon cycle regulation aspects to their effects:

Soil Carbon = Supports agricultural productivity via nutrient availability Carbon in Oceans = Influences marine life through photosynthesis Atmospheric CO2 = Mitigates climate change impacts Phytoplankton = Regulates carbon levels in aquatic ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Match the natural phenomena with their carbon involvement:

Ocean Acidification = Result of increased CO2 affecting marine organisms Deforestation = Reduces carbon uptake by terrestrial plants Greenhouse Gas Emissions = Contributes to global climate change Melting Permafrost = Releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Match the carbon cycle elements to their ecological roles:

Calcium Carbonate = Used in shell formation of marine creatures CO2 in Atmosphere = Regulates Earth's temperature Carbon in Plants = Base of terrestrial food web Fossil Fuels = Major energy source for industrial processes Signup and view all the answers

Match the effects of human activity on the carbon cycle with the corresponding descriptions:

Burning Fossil Fuels = Increases CO2 concentration in the atmosphere Agricultural Practices = May enhance soil carbon storage Urbanization = Reduces permeable surfaces for natural carbon absorption Deforestation = Decreases carbon sequestration in forests Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Positive and Negative Feedback

Positive feedback: Effects of an action are amplified by secondary effects
Negative feedback: Effects of an action are nullified by knock-on effects, returning the system to balance

Major Subsystems

Hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and cryosphere

Open and Closed Systems

Open system: Matter and energy can be transferred from the system to the surrounding environment
Closed system: Transfers of energy occur into and out of the system but not matter

Dynamic Equilibrium

The tendency towards a natural state of balance within a constantly changing system

Hydrosphere

Water on or near Earth's surface
97% is oceanic water
Inputs: Runoff and precipitation
Outputs: Evaporation
Climate change can decrease capacity

Cryosphere

Portions of Earth's surface where water is in solid form
Accounts for 1.7% of all water on Earth
Includes ice sheets, ice caps, sea ice, glaciers, and permafrost
68% of freshwater is stored in ice caps and glaciers

Lithosphere

Earth's crust and upper mantle
Stores water for the longest time
Accounts for 1.7% of all water on Earth

Atmosphere

Accounts for 0.01% of all water on Earth
Most common atmospheric water is water vapor

Biosphere

Part of the Earth where life exists (land, water, and air)

Cryospheric Change

In cooling periods, the cryosphere grows.
In warming periods, ice melts, adding water to the cycle, and increasing sea level rise.

Factors Affecting Water Flow

Steepness: Faster water flow on steeper slopes
Vegetation: Natural land use intercepts, takes up water, reduces surface runoff and less flooding, more infiltration, and evapotranspiration.
Deforestation: Reduced interception, faster runoff, flashy hydrographs, increased soil erosion, higher risk of flooding.
Urbanization: Impermeable surfaces lead to no infiltration and overland flow, flashy hydrographs, greater risk of flooding.
Agriculture: More interception and infiltration.
Afforestation: Increased interception, root uptake, and evapotranspiration, reducing surface runoff and risk of flooding.

Infiltration

The movement of water from the surface into the soil
Saturated, baked, or frozen soils are impermeable and have lower infiltration capacities.
Vegetated areas have high infiltration rates.

Infiltration Rate

The speed at which soil absorbs water
Declines rapidly at the start of rainfall, then reaches a constant value.

Infiltration Capacity

The maximum rate at which soil can absorb water
If rainfall intensity exceeds infiltration capacity, surface runoff occurs

Evapotranspiration

The sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from Earth's surface to the atmosphere

Condensation

The change of state from a gas to a liquid as air cools

Evaporation

Liquid water changing to water vapor; caused by solar radiation

Drainage Basin

The area that supplies a river with its water supply. High land separates drainage basins.

Percolation

Water moving downwards through soil and rock due to gravity, can move laterally to feed rivers

Throughflow

Water flowing horizontally through the top soil layer

Throughfall

Rainfall that falls directly to the ground without interception

Interception

Water prevented from reaching the surface by trees or vegetation. Store of water.

Exmoor Mires Project

Project for draining ditches on the River Exe.
Results include increased infiltration capacity, reduced risk of flooding, and improved water quality.

Soil Water Balance

The balance between inputs and outputs (precipitation, evapotranspiration, storage changes) to the soil.
Positive balance: Precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration
Negative balance: Evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation, soil moisture can reach deficit

Baseflow

Part of a river's discharge supplied by groundwater seeping into the riverbed. Slow process.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Earth system science concepts, including feedback mechanisms, major subsystems like the hydrosphere and cryosphere, and the dynamics of open and closed systems. Explore the balance of natural processes and the implications of climate change.