Karst Topography and The Water Cycle March 23, 2015
Karst = refers to limestone Topography = the shape of the land’s surface. Karst Topography = land feature involving limestone
Sculpting Limestone Dissolution: Limestone dissolves easily in slightly acidic water.
Dissolution of Limestone 1) Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide dissolves into Rainwater. Forms Carbonic Acid (weak acid) CO2 + H2O H2CO3 2) Calcium Carbonate (limestone) dissolves into Calcium Bicarbonate CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O Ca(HCO3)2
CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O Ca(HCO3)2
Karst Topography Bluffs and Outcrops Depression Marshes and Ponds Water-filled Caves and Tunnels * Terrestrial Caves * Sinks * Rocklands * Springs *
Water on Earth Oceans/Salt Water: 97.25% Freshwater: 2.75%
Freshwater on Earth: 2.75% Glaciers: ~2.00% Groundwater: Aquifers, soils: ~ 0.70% Atmospheric water: ~0.04% Surface water: Lakes, ponds, rivers: ~0.01%
Water Cycle
Terms Surface water: Water on surface of land, rivers, lakes, ponds Groundwater: water seeps into soil and open bedrock
Precipitation: Snow, Rain Condensation Water vapor cools in the atmosphere to form liquid water droplets suspended as clouds Precipitation: When saturated water falls to Earth’s surface by Gravity
Transpiration: Evaporation: Plants release water taken up from soil back into the air as water vapor Evaporation: Water changes form from liquid to gas as heats. water vapor released from lakes, rivers, oceans into atmosphere. Clouds from Transpiration over Amazon
Water Cycle