CourseCourseQuestionQuestionDocumentDocument
IB Environmental Systems and Societies
Topic 1: Foundation
Topic 2: Ecology
Topic 3: Biodiversity and conservation
Topic 4: Water
4.1 Water systems
4.2 Water access, use and security
4.3 Aquatic food production systems
4.4 Water pollution
4.4.1—Water pollution sources
4.4.2—Plastic debris accumulation
4.4.3—Water quality measurement
4.4.4—Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
4.4.5—Eutrophication
4.4.6—Eutrophication sequence
4.4.7—Eutrophication and ecosystem services
4.4.8—Eutrophication management levels
Topic 5: Land
Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change
Topic 7: Natural resources
Topic 8: Human populations and urban systems
IB/ESS/SL//Concept/Topic 4: Water/4.4 Water pollution/4.4.1—Water pollution sources

Topic 4: Water

Syllabus
First assessment 2026
Section
—
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Most tested topics

  1. Water systems
  2. Water access, use and security
  3. Aquatic food production systems
  4. Water pollution