Geomorphology: Landforms, Processes, and Coastal Features
Sand Dune Types
- Barchan: Small sand dunes on flat terrain.
- Transverse: Large sand dunes on flat terrain.
- Barchanoid: Crescent-shaped dunes.
- Yardangs: Low ridges carved by wind in flat deserts.
Mass Movement Causes
- Slope angle exceeds the angle of repose.
- Uplift changes the slope angle.
- Removing material from the bottom or adding to the top.
Types of Mass Movement
- Slide: Movement on a basal slip surface (planar or curved).
- Slump: Smaller slides caused by gravity on well-defined surfaces.
- Flow: Movement as a
Climate Factors and Weather Patterns in Spain
Factors Influencing Climate
a) The Tilt of Earth’s Axis
The tilt of Earth’s axis gives rise to different climatic zones:
- Torrid: Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
- Temperate: Between the tropics and the polar circles.
- Frigid: Between the polar circles and the poles.
b) Air Circulation
- Warm air ascends into the upper layers of the atmosphere.
- Origin of low pressure or squalls.
- Cools and descends to the surface.
- Origin of high pressure or anticyclone (stable, dry, and sunny weather).
- Surface
Spain’s Diverse Geography: Islands, Climate, and Landforms
The relief of insular Spain presents distinct characteristics across its two main archipelagos.
Balearic Archipelago
Geologically, the Balearics connect the Betic and coastal-Catalana Alpine ranges in the Mediterranean. Mallorca and Ibiza are fragments of the subbética mountains, with the Sierra de Tramuntana being a highlight in Mallorca. Menorca is linked to the Catalan Coastal Range.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are of volcanic origin, formed in the Tertiary period when the Alpine orogeny fractured
Read MoreBiomass Energy: Types, Processes, Advantages & Disadvantages
Biomass
Introduction
Biomass is a type of renewable energy obtained from organic matter of vegetal or animal origin, or by the transformation of organic matter into fuel. The energy is obtained by burning the organic matter or transforming it into fuel. Types of biomass:
- Natural biomass: produced in nature without human intervention.
- Residual biomass: wastes produced by human activity.
- Energetic crops: crops specifically grown to be used as plant biomass for energy generation.
Theoretical Bases
To obtain
Hydrosphere Impacts: Reservoirs, Pollution, and Contaminants
Hydrosphere Impacts
Impacts on the Dynamics of the Hydrosphere
Reservoirs
- Sediment accumulation at the coast
- Reduced freshwater flow to deltas
- Decreased water resources and hydroelectric capacity
- Increased erosion downstream
- Concentration of contaminants downstream
- Alteration of natural landscapes
- Population displacement and rehousing
- Loss of heritage sites and monuments
- Risk of dam failure
Pipe Works
- Alterations in aquifer recharge dynamics
- Impact or disappearance of riparian forests
Transfers
- Reduced erosion,
Understanding Water Pollution: Sources and Impacts
Organic Contamination
Organic pollution can cause anoxic conditions, to the extent that only chemotrophs (reducing anaerobic bacteria) can persist. During anaerobic biodegradation, organic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, methane, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and ammonia are produced. Intermediate compounds include phenols, indoles, and mercaptans. This results in a very high chemical oxygen demand (COD), which must be offset by dissolving oxygen (O2) in water. Organic contamination stems from the lack of
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