1 Some information about pollutants, their sources and their effects on the environment are shown

in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

pollutant source effect on the environment

heavy metals in disrupts functioning of plants,

chemical waste causes brain damage

eutrophication of streams, rivers

phosphate
and lakes
damage to trees, e.g. death of
sulfur dioxide
leaves

ionising radiation

pesticide sprays accumulates in tissues of

DDT
animals

(a) Complete Table 1.1. [5]

(b) Explain what happens in streams, lakes and rivers when eutrophication occurs.

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 (c) Sulfur dioxide dissolves in rain water to form acid rain.

Describe two measures that can be taken to reduce the effects of acid rain.

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[Total: 12]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
2 Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of the water cycle.

E
D

Fig. 3.1

(a) Water is a large component of the cells in the leaves of trees, as labelled D on Fig. 3.1.

Explain how water passes from a leaf cell to the atmosphere.

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(b) Explain how the loss of water from the leaves helps to move water from the roots to the
leaves.

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PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (c) Explain how water enters the roots of the trees from the soil.

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(d) Fig. 3.1 shows a sewage treatment works, labelled E.

Describe three processes used in the treatment of sewage.

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(e) Herbicides are used by farmers to control weeds.

Explain the environmental damage that may be caused by herbicides.

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[Total: 17]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
3 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) can cause acid rain.

(a) Name one other pollutant that can cause acid rain.

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(b) Describe the effects of acid rain on the environment.

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(c) State three methods to reduce atmospheric SO2 pollution.

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[3]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (d) Scientists in China measured the concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere and
sulfur in plant tissues from 1990 until 2005. They did not record any measurements between
1990 and 1996.
Their results are shown in Fig. 2.1.

1.8

800 1.6
Key:
700 plant tis 1.4
atmospheric SO2
600 1.2

500 1.0
plant tissue
atmospheric 400 0.8 sulfur / %
SO2 / µg m–3
300 0.6

200 0.4

100 0.2

0 0
1989 1990 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
time / year

Fig. 2.1

(i) Describe the trends in the concentrations of sulfur found in the atmosphere and in the
plant tissues as shown in Fig. 2.1. You will gain credit for using the data in the graph to
support your answer.

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PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (ii) Suggest why the concentration of sulfur in the plant tissues was calculated as a
percentage of the dry mass of the plant tissue.

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[Total: 12]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
4 Sewage treatment works use bacteria to digest the waste matter. Waste matter contains complex
organic compounds, such as starch, cellulose, protein and fat.

Fig. 3.1 shows a diagram of a sewage works with an aerobic digestion tank.

The sewage works discharges clean water into a river. Downstream from the sewage works, water
is removed to be used as drinking water for a nearby village.

collection
and
pumping
screens
sedimentation
grit tank tank

effluent

grit to solids
landfill removed

chlorination final aerobic

tank sedimentation digestion
tank tank

mixing
paddle air
river chlorine solids compressed
removed air

Fig. 3.1

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (a) Explain the roles of bacteria in the aerobic digestion tank shown in Fig. 3.1.

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(b) Fig. 3.1 shows that chlorine is added to water before it leaves the sewage treatment works.

Explain why chlorine is added to the water.

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[Total: 7]

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