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IB Ess 4 1 Water Systems Question Bank

Practice IB Ess 4 1 Water Systems questions by syllabus topic with past-paper context, marks, difficulty and question previews on Eduninja.

10 matching questions ยท Open interactive library

Question 1

1

17 marks

Question 1(b)

1(b)

5 marks

Question 1(b)(i)

1(b)(i)

With reference to Figure 1 (c) and Figure 8, identify which of the three channels of the Danube River delta has been most extensively straightened by dredging and state why this has been done.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

the Sulina channel; for navigation purposes/increase available land / land suitable for agriculture/reduces flood risk;

Question 1(c)

1(c)

0 marks

Question 1(c)(i)

1(c)(i)

With reference to Figure 7, calculate the percentage decrease in average sediment flow between 1971-1980 and 1981-1990.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

\(\quad \frac{29.2-41.3}{41.3} \times 100 \% / \frac{41.3-29.2}{41.3} \times 100 \% / \frac{12.1}{42.3} \times 100 \%\); if figures slightly wrong but correct method; (-)29.3\%/29.29/ 29.2978; BUT not 29.2(they should round up not down)

Question 1(c)(ii)

1(c)(ii)

Suggest what effect this change in the sediment flow would have on the maintenance of the Danube River delta.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

reduction in the height of the delta; decreased expanse of the delta; the delta cannot be maintained without continuous flow of sediment; reduction in available minerals/productivity/habitats of the delta;

Question 1

1

0 marks

Question 1(b)

1(b)

Label the diagram below to show water flows into and out of Lake Naivasha.

Mediumpractical2 marks

Answer

Award [1] for two inputs. (Malewa \& Gilgil) rivers / groundwater flow / rainfall/storms / run-off from Abedares; N.B. "rainfall" OR "storms" is acceptable for 1 of the inputs, but not 2. Award [1] for two outputs. evaporation / transpiration / abstraction (for whatever purpose) / underground water flow;

Question 1(f)

1(f)

Identify two factors that may cause changes in lake temperature over time.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

global warming/climate change/local changes in microclimate; (seasonal) depth of water / shallower lake warms/cools more quickly; hot water being discharged into the lake from geothermal power plant; increased natural tectonic/geothermal activity; seasonal changes in cloud cover/precipitation/sunlight hours; change in level/temperature of river/incoming water/run-off; increase/decrease in shading from hyacinth cover; increasing turbidity/suspended particles/eutrophication may increase temperature;

Question 1

1

11 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

0 marks

Question 1(a)(i)

1(a)(i)

State the source of energy that drives the Earth's ocean currents.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

the Sun/solar energy/insolation; wind; Do not accept Coriolis Force or rotation of the Earth/heat or the moon/gravitation.

Question 1

1

0 marks

Question 1(b)

1(b)

0 marks

Question 1(b)(ii)

1(b)(ii)

Identify three ways in which the exploitation of tar (oil) sands may lead to impacts on freshwater resources.

Mediumstructured3 marks

Answer

toxic waste from tailing ponds may leak/evaporate \& precipitate into nearby rivers or marshes; leaks from Keystone pipeline may pollute freshwater systems (eg Ogallala aquifer); extraction of water from the rivers (to pump underground) may deplete freshwater resources/only 10 % of the extracted water is returned; extraction involves deforestation that may lead to increase run-off/input to freshwater bodies causing flooding / deplete input to underground aquifers; deforestation may increase soil erosion and input of sediment to freshwater resources; thermal pollution/pumping steam underground may melt permafrost raising water table; Do not credit impacts from the USE of fossil fuels, only those that relate directly to exploitation/extraction.

Question 1

1

0 marks

Question 1(b)

1(b)

0 marks

Question 1(b)(i)

1(b)(i)

From the information in the resource booklet and your own studies, identify two inputs and two outputs of water associated with Inle Lake by labelling the boxes in the diagram below.

Mediumpractical2 marks

Answer

inputs - any two of: runoff/overland flow; river (inflow)/Nyaung Shwe river; precipitation/rain/monsoon /; throughflow/groundwater flow; power plant discharge water; outputs - any two of: river (outflow); seepage; extraction (by power plant/for domestic use); evaporation; transpiration/evapotranspiration; surface runoff after flooding; plant absorption/animals drinking; Award 1 mark if one correct input and one correct output are shown.

Question 1

1

Figure 1(b): Map showing Swakop River in Namibia \begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|} \hline Species & Scientific name & High mesquite area & Low mesquite area \\ \hline Steenbok & Raphicerus campestris & 101 & 92 \\ \hline Baboon & Papio ursinus & 109 & 32 \\ \hline Oryx & Oryx gazella & 7 & 61 \\ \hline Kudu & Tragelaphus strepsiceros & 31 & 7 \\ \hline Jackal & Canis mesomelas & 19 & 13 \\ \hline Duiker & Sylvicapra grimmia & 1 & 26 \\ \hline Wildcat & Felis silvestris lybica & 14 & 7 \\ \hline Klipspringer & Oreotragus oreotragus & 11 & 5 \\ \hline Springbok & Antidorcus marsupialis & 4 & 6 \\ \hline Rodent & - & 1 & 9 \\ \hline Porcupine & Hystrix africaeaustralis & 9 & 0 \\ \hline Mountain zebra & Equus zebra & 2 & 4 \\ \hline Badger & Mellivora capensis & 0 & 5 \\ \hline \end{tabular} Figure 5(a): Uranium prices from 1980 to 2013

25 marks

Question 1(b)

1(b)

Identify three natural sources of water available in the Swakop area. Figure 3(c): Fact file on the Swakop water resources

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

Swakop river/river runoff/linear oasis; groundwater/aquifers; rainfall/precipitation; condensation/dew/coastal fogs; ocean; 3 correct award [2]. 2 correct award [1]. 1 correct award [0].

Question 2

2

a. Has black tail black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) b. Has a mostly white tail go to 3

9 marks

Question 2(b)

2(b)

Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments.

Mediumstructured1 marks

Answer

(50 %-15 %)=35 % ; Note: Only [1] so working not required / credit final answer but only if it includes '\%' sign Credit can be given if both shallow and deep infiltration are calculated separately (i.e. 15 %+ 20\% respectively) (c) Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization.

Question 2(c)

2(c)

Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization.

Mediumstructured1 marks

Answer

a. groundwater/aquifers/soil water will decrease due to less infiltration/more runoff; b. atmospheric storage/humidity will decrease because of reduction in evapotranspiration; c. biomass storage will decrease because of loss of trees; Credit any aspect of urbanisation that will diminish any valid water storage. (d) Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2025, shown in Figure 2(b).

Question 11

11

Explain how the following land-based activities could have a damaging effect on marine ecosystems within the Coral Triangle: \begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|} \hline Mangrove & Seagrass & Coral reef \\ \hline Nursery/habitat for fish and shellfish & Nursery/habitat for many species & Nursery/habitat supporting high biodiversity \\ \hline Traps sediments and absorbs nutrients & Traps sediments and absorbs nutrients & Filters particulates, increasing water clarity \\ \hline Absorbs CO2 and emits oxygen & Absorbs CO2 and emits oxygen & Provides fish and shellfish \\ \hline Reduces coastal erosion/storm impacts & Stabilizes sediment & Supports tourism/fisheries \\ \hline \end{tabular}

4 marks

Question 11(a)

11(a)

deforestation Coral reefs and mangroves in the Coral Triangle have declined by over 40% since the 1970s; over 85% of coral reefs are threatened by population growth and human activity. Threats include removal of mangroves, unsustainable/destructive fishing, demand for turtle products and shark fins, land-based pollution, tourism impacts and climate change. Tourism threats include sewage, plastic waste, coral trampling, boat-anchor damage, stress to wildlife and collection of wildlife souvenirs.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

identify problem [1] its corresponding effect on marine ecosystems [1] removal of mangroves results in loss of habitat/nursery area for young fish; ...reducing biodiversity/secondary productivity in coastal area; ...making species prone to extinction; increase in soil/coastal erosion leading to more sediment entering the Coral Triangle; ...this blocks sunlight that coral/sea grasses/algae require; loss of carbon sink that can lead to increase in global temperatures; ...increase in water temperatures can stress coral/reduce biodiversity; increased carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere that contributes to ocean acidification/lowers pH; ...this adversely affects some species eg fish / reduces biodiversity; ...damages calcifying species/shellfish/corals; without trees, runoff is no longer filtered and nutrients absorbed, thereby increasing nutrient loading within the marine ecosystem; ...this leads to eutrophication; ...this leads to algal blooms that can harm other species/reduce light to corals/seagrasses/algae; ...this leads to algal blooms that can lead to lower oxygen levels in the water (hypoxia/anoxic conditions); removal of trees reduces water retention and increases risk of floods (overflow of freshwater) into the coastal/marine environment; ...the sudden high velocity of water could physically damage some species; ...sudden change in water salinity may kill some species; Award [1] for identifying the problem, and [1] for explaining its effect on marine ecosystems. Do not accept just "soil/coastal erosion" without link to increased sedimentation.

Question 11(b)

11(b)

agricultural activity. Coral reefs and mangroves in the Coral Triangle have declined by over 40% since the 1970s; over 85% of coral reefs are threatened by population growth and human activity. Threats include removal of mangroves, unsustainable/destructive fishing, demand for turtle products and shark fins, land-based pollution, tourism impacts and climate change. Tourism threats include sewage, plastic waste, coral trampling, boat-anchor damage, stress to wildlife and collection of wildlife souvenirs.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

identify problem [1] its corresponding effect on marine ecosystems [1] increase in nutrient/fertilizer/nitrate/phosphate pollution; ...this leads to eutrophication; ...this leads to algal blooms that can harm other species/reduce light to corals/seagrasses/algae; ...this leads to algal blooms that can lead to lower oxygen levels in the water (hypoxia/anoxic conditions); increase in pesticide pollution; ...can harm/kill (non-target) organisms within the Coral Triangle; increase in pollution from animal waste/manure/organic matter; ...that can block sunlight required by corals/seagrasses/algae; ...lower oxygen levels in the water; overgrazing can increase soil erosion resulting in increased sedimentation in the reef/coastal environment; ...that can block sunlight required by corals/seagrasses/algae Award [1] for identifying the problem, and [1] for explaining its effect on marine ecosystems. Do not accept loss of mangroves and its associated effects. Do not accept just "overgrazing causes soil erosion" without link to increased sedimentation.

Question 6

6

0 marks

Question 6(a)

6(a)

Explain how the production of cash crops (such as pineapples) may have an environmental impact on:

0 marks

Question 6(a)(ii)

6(a)(ii)

lakes or rivers.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

use of fertilizers/leaching of nutrients can lead to eutrophication/algal blooms; use of pesticides can lead to contamination of aquatic systems/death of non-target organisms/bioaccumulation; over-abstraction of water for agriculture use may lead to low water levels (in rivers/lakes adversely affecting fish/aquatic species); soil erosion into lakes/rivers could increase sedimentation/reduce water clarity; Note: For credit the cause and effect needs to be linked.

Question 3

3

0 marks

Question 3(a)

3(a)

State one storage of fresh water not shown in Figure 3.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

Lakes/rivers/glaciers/groundwater/aquifers/reservoirs/organisms other than plants; (b) State one input of water into the atmosphere not shown in Figure 3.

Question 3(b)

3(b)

State one input of water into the atmosphere not shown in Figure 3.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

Evaporation (from inland waters/oceans/soil) / sublimation / water vapour from respiration/combustion; (c) Describe the positive feedback mechanism by which deforestation may decrease the availability of water in certain regions.