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IB ESS SL 4.4.2 Plastic Debris Question Bank

Explain how plastic debris accumulates and affects aquatic food webs.

Syllabus
First assessment 2026
Course
ESS SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • identify the aquatic-system process or pollution indicator
  • apply the relevant conservation, quality or management model
  • evaluate ecological and human trade-offs from evidence

4.4.2—Plastic debris accumulation question 1

[Maximum number: 5]
Table: Consumption and disposal of plastic waste for India and selected Pacific Rim countries

Table:Consumption and disposal of plastic waste for India and selected Pacific Rim countries

Many countries produce large amounts of solid domestic waste. Pacific Ocean currents concentrate and trap solid domestic waste from the Pacific Rim countries and have created the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) in the North Pacific Gyre (Figure: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch).

* estimated for 2017 based on 10 % growth http://www.pardos-marketing.com]

Question (a)

(a)

Identify one reason why most plastics may be considered more serious pollutants than other forms of solid domestic waste.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Explain why the data in Table: Consumption and disposal of plastic waste for India and selected Pacific Rim countries show no correlation between plastic consumption and plastic waste deposited in ocean for the countries listed.

[ 4 ]
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