S104 Tma01

1a)

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    - b)       During Spring 2009, the average rate of disintegration of the Wilkins ice shelf increased from 7.3 km2day-1 to 20 km2day-1; an increase of approximately 64%. This brought the total loss of ice shelf surface to 2700 km2 between the end of February 2008 and Spring 2009, an overall loss of 19.3%. In comparison the rate of disintegration of the Larsen-B ice shelf was 91 km2day-1,   4.6 times greater than the disintegration of the Wilkins ice shelf bridge at 20 km2day-1.

      c)         The disintegration of the Larsen-B and Wilkins ice shelves will cause a slight increase in the sea levels, due to an increased rate of melting. A considerable proportion of ice volume resides above the surface of sea level, and thus subsequent melting would cause a rise in sea level which can result in flooding and other weather effects. However due to hydrogen bonding, the volume of H2O solid (ice) is smaller compared to that of liquid water, which will counteract a rise to some extent.

2a)

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Flow Chart Depicting Transfer of Carbon Between Reservoirs for Figure 1 (Isle of White)

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Figure 2 Carbon reservoirs identified in (a)(i).


ii) Photosynthesis – A transfer process which occurs between living things respiring and releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.

    Decomposition – A transfer process which occurs between living things decomposing and carbon into the soil.

    Degassing – A transfer process which occurs between the surface ocean releasing CO2 and into the atmosphere.

c)   Burning fossil fuels such as coal alters the balance between carbon reservoirs rapidly, releasing unnaturally large amounts of carbon into other reservoirs such as the atmosphere in a very short space of time, causing more noticeable effects. Burning coal to generate heat or power...