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D4.2.10—Plastic pollution of oceans

Ocean plastic pollution harms marine ecosystems through persistent debris, microplastic formation, ingestion, entanglement, toxin transport, and movement by currents or wind.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
D4.2.10
Level
HL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2024
Most common paperPaper3
Typical marks2

Common command terms

  • State
  • Outline
  • Suggest
  • Explain
  • Describe

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Treating plastic pollution only as litter, without explaining ingestion, entanglement, or digestive blockage.

Recent exam appearances

May 2024Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ116(e)[ 2 ]D4.2.10—Plastic pollution of oceans
November 2020Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ016(b)(ii)[ 2 ]D4.2.10—Plastic pollution of oceans
May 2018Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ116(d)[ 1 ]D4.2.10—Plastic pollution of oceans
May 2017Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ216(d)[ 2 ]D4.2.10—Plastic pollution of oceans
November 2016Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ015(d)[ 3 ]D4.2.10—Plastic pollution of oceans
Practice this objective

Coverage 2016–2024 · Updated 16 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Macroplastics can kill organisms through entanglement, choking, gut blockage, and starvation.
  • Microplastics can be ingested by small organisms and may carry toxic chemicals through food webs.
  • Wind, currents, and gyres redistribute plastic debris and can concentrate pollution far from its source.
ConceptIB Biology HL