Conceptest: Box Modelling: Fluxes & Turnover Times
Question:
Which of the following is true of the simplified ocean-atmosphere water cycle depicted in the box model below?
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![[creative commons]](/images/creativecommons_16.png)
A. There is a net flux of water from ocean to atmosphere.
B. There is a net flux of water from atmosphere to ocean.
C. Water is in steady state, with a longer turnover time in the atmosphere than the ocean.
D. Water is in steady state, with a longer turnover time in the ocean than the atmosphere.
Student Responses:
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No data yet. The correct response is D. The fluxes are balanced so the system must be in steady state. The turnover time is defined as the reservoir size divided by the loss rate. As the loss rates are the same for both reservoirs, the larger reservoir (the ocean) corresponds to the longer turnover time.
