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Climatic Feedback Loop
Examples of climatic feedback loop examples
17
Business
11th Grade
11/27/2023

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Term
Negative feedback loop
Definition
A process in which stabilization due to equalibrium and homestatis counteracts deviation of an output resulting in reduction of a change.
Term
Positive feedback loop
Definition

 A process in which (destabilizing) will tend to amplify changes and drive the system towards a tipping point where a new equilibrium is adopted.Change in X causes a change in Y. Which causes a bigger change in X

 

Term

Blackbody radiation   

Definition

A Negative feedback loop in which energy released by Earth is a function of temperature. If Earth’s temperature increases, it raises the amount of outgoing radiation.So the more energy you add to Earth, the more energy it will emit. This concept is the Stefan-Boltzmann law which has an overall cooling effect.   

 

 

Term

Chemical weathering as a carbon dioxide sink

Definition

Negative feedback that illustrates more CO2 and water in the atmosphere, it increases carbonic acid which is just CO2 and water. This results as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide.This results as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide.Thus, it weakens the greenhouse effect and leads to cooling. 

 

Term
Gas hydrates in shallow water
Definition

Positive feedback loop scenario in which the shallow oceans, gas hydrates store enormous amounts of methane. They occur naturally throughout the world as forms of ice and methane.Because we find them relatively shallow, they are particularly susceptible to warmer temperatures. And similar to melting permafrost, methane release is a potent greenhouse gas. Thus, it causes further global warming.

 

 

Term

Higher rainfall from more moisture in the atmosphere  

Definition

Negative feedback loop that illustrates Similarly, if there’s more water held in the atmosphere, then higher water volume leads to more precipitation. This is because the atmosphere can retain more moisture with higher temperatures.  But the downside is that ocean circulation patterns would change and create an imbalance in where rainfall occurs.

Term

Increased cloudiness reflects more incoming solar radiation

Definition

Negative feedback loop involving ice sheets melting, which could increase cloudiness with more water vapor in the atmosphere. Because clouds reflect 1/3 of incoming solar radiation, there would be less heat absorption on Earth’s surface.

 

 

Term

More kindle for forest fires 

Definition

Mid-latitude regions are poised to receive an imbalance in rainfall and an increased risk of drought. As a result, forest fires and desertification in forested regions will lower their ability to be carbon sinks. Overall, this releases more carbon than forests can absorb into the atmosphere. This positive feedback loop causes further warming.

 

Term
Lapse rate and altitude temperature
Definition

The change of temperature with altitude. Air expands higher in the troposphere because there is less pressure. Conversely, the air compresses lower in the troposphere because there is more pressure.Climate models indicate that global warming will reduce the decreasing rate of temperature with height. Overall, this weakens the strength of the greenhouse effect resulting in a negative feedback loop.

 

Term
Net primary productivity increase
Definition

 

As higher concentrations of CO2 enter the atmosphere, plants have more material to photosynthesize. If you isolate a single plant in a laboratory, then adding CO2 makes Earth greener for now. But this fertilization effect diminishes with time.

But plants can’t grow indefinitely with rising CO2. This is because plants require other factors like nitrogen in the nutrient cycle. And if temperature rises, this can negatively influence plant growth thus indicates a negative feedback loop.

 

 

Term
Ocean circulation patterns disruption
Definition

Once ice melts in the Arctic, it will start shifting deep ocean circulation patterns in the Gulf Stream. Currently, this circulation pattern relies on heavy salt water from the north to transport warm water to Great Britain. Once ice sheets melt, it releases freshwater into the oceans. This disturbs this ocean conveyor belt by slowing downflow in the Atlantic Ocean resulting as a positive feedback loop.

 

Term
The ocean’s solubility pump
Definition

The ocean’s ability to transport carbon from its surface to the interior. The ocean serves an important role in regulating CO2 by dissolving it in water. As ice sheets melt, carbon storage increases. Currently, oceans absorb 33% of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. Although this process cannot continue indefinitely, solubility pump efficiency depends on ocean circulation reflecting a negative feedback loop.

 

Term
Permafrost melt sparks methane release 
Definition

In the Arctic tundra, permafrost melt will trigger methane release in the atmosphere. Because methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.

This type of positive feedback loop could be a tipping point for our climate.

Term
Rainforest drought and loss
Definition

Temperatures are projected to rise 2 to 6° by 2100. As a result of the warmer climate, this will result in larger evaporation losses.Despite the possibility of more rainfall, unpredictable weather may result in less soil moisture. Drought due to a warmer means the loss of some of the most productive places in the world. There this scenario reflects a positive feedback loop.

 

Term
The removal of ice high albedo
Definition

Once the Arctic, Greenland, and Antarctic ice sheets melt, water absorbs more heat. Because ice has a high albedo, it reflects 84% of incoming solar radiation.

But once we remove our icy protective shield, water reflects as low as 5% of solar radiation resulting as a Positive feedback loop.

 

Term
Sea level rise
Definition

As the planet warms, ocean waters expand. Rising sea levels hit coastal cities the hardest. But another result will trigger further glacier calving.If you increase water volume, this could cause further chunks of ice to outpour into the oceans therefore resulting as a Positive feedback loop.

 

Term
Wetland methane release
Definition

Wetlands are the largest natural source of methane in the world. Climate change is concerned with their health because heating can cause bogs to release methane.The amount of methane production is dependent on a number of factors. For example, soil temperature, oxygen availability, and warmer environments all relate to climate change contributors as a positive feedback loop.

 

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