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QB Update E2 ch01 e

The document contains two passages about human impacts on the environment through river acidification and sewage discharge. It includes graphs and maps related to water quality measurements and invertebrate populations in a river. It also provides multi-part questions about interpreting the graphs and explaining the effects of acid rain and sewage on dissolved oxygen, water chemistry, and animal populations in the river.

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10 views

QB Update E2 ch01 e

The document contains two passages about human impacts on the environment through river acidification and sewage discharge. It includes graphs and maps related to water quality measurements and invertebrate populations in a river. It also provides multi-part questions about interpreting the graphs and explaining the effects of acid rain and sewage on dissolved oxygen, water chemistry, and animal populations in the river.

Uploaded by

K C
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition)

Question Bank – New Questions

 Chapter 1 Human impact on


the environment

Structured questions

[10177642] Cross-topic Graph interpretation High order thinking

* In the last century, many rivers have become acidic. If the pH of the water in a
river falls below 5, the river is considered to be acidified. Some invertebrates
cannot survive in acidified water.
The graph below shows the ranges of pH values in which four invertebrates can
survive. These invertebrates live in the same river.

© Oxford University Press (E2) 1-1


New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E2: Chapter 1
Question Bank – New Questions

a Some gases found in air have contributed to the acidification of rivers.


Name one of the gases and describe how it causes the acidification of rivers.
(3 marks)
b Suggest and explain how the numbers of the four invertebrates may be
affected if the river water becomes acidified. (5 marks)
c The heron is a common species of bird which feeds on shrimps in the river.
Based on the information provided, suggest and explain how the number of
herons may be affected if the river water becomes acidified. (2 marks)

-- answer --
a Sulphur dioxide / nitrogen oxides 1m
Sulphur dioxide / nitrogen oxides dissolve(s) in rainwater to form acid rain. 1m
When the acid rain falls into river, it lowers the pH of the river. 1m
b Snails and shrimps are intolerant to acidified water. They cannot survive in the
river. 1m
Thus, the numbers of shrimps and snails may decrease. 1m
Mussels and water hoglouses are tolerant to acidified water. They can survive
and reproduce in the river. 1m
Competition from shrimps and snails for space and food may be reduced as the
numbers of shrimps and snails in the river decrease. 1m
Thus, the numbers of mussels and water hoglouses may increase. 1m
c Since shrimps cannot survive if the river becomes acidified, no shrimps would be
available for herons to eat. 1m
Herons may die due to lack of food. Thus, the number of herons may decrease.
1m
---------------------------------------------------

© Oxford University Press (E2) 1-2


New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E2: Chapter 1
Question Bank – New Questions

[10177663] Cross-topic Graph interpretation High order thinking

**In an investigation, the effect of discharging sewage into a river was studied. The
map below shows the location of a food-processing factory and the point where
sewage was discharged (X) into the river.

Water samples were collected at sites P, Q and R and analysed for the
concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonium compounds and nitrates.
The graphs below show the results.

© Oxford University Press (E2) 1-3


New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E2: Chapter 1
Question Bank – New Questions

Asellus is an insect found in the river. It feeds on non-living organic matter. It can
live in water with a low DO concentration. The population sizes of Asellus and
other invertebrates were measured along the river. The graph below shows the
results.

a Suggest why the DO concentration in the sample taken from Q was higher
than that of the sample taken from P. (2 marks)
b Explain why the concentrations of ammonium compounds and nitrates in
the sample taken from Q were higher than those of the sample taken from P.
(3 marks)
c Based on the information provided, describe the change in the population
size of Asellus in the following sections of the river. Suggest an explanation
for the change.
i From P to Q (2 marks)
ii From Q to R (2 marks)

-- answer --
a As some organic matter was decomposed by aerobic microorganisms when water
flowed from P to Q, less organic matter was found at Q. 1m
The amount of oxygen used for the decomposition of organic matter was reduced.
Thus, the DO concentration was higher in the sample taken from Q. 1m
b When water flowed from P to Q, organic matter in the sewage was broken down
into ammonium compounds by decomposers. 1m
Ammonium compounds were converted into nitrites by nitrifying bacteria in the
sewage. 1m
Nitrites were then converted into nitrates by nitrifying bacteria in the sewage.
Thus, the concentrations of ammonium compounds and nitrates were higher in
the sample taken from Q.
1m

© Oxford University Press (E2) 1-4


New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E2: Chapter 1
Question Bank – New Questions

c i The population size of Asellus increased from P to Q. 1m


From P to Q, the DO concentration increased. More oxygen was available
for Asellus. 1m
ii The population size of Asellus decreased from Q to R. 1m
From Q to R, the population size of other invertebrates increased. Less
food / space was available for Asellus. 1m
---------------------------------------------------

© Oxford University Press (E2) 1-5

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