1
3 marks
List three primary pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels.
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Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Urban Air Pollution (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Exam Questions
2 hours34 questions
2
2 marks
Complete the following sentence:
Tropospheric ozone is an example of a secondary pollutant, formed when oxygen molecules react with oxygen atoms that are released from __________ dioxide in the presence of __________.
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3
2 marks
Thermal Inversions can contribute to the formation and persistence of smog in urban areas.
Explain what a thermal inversion is, in this context.
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4
1 mark
Identify one form of environmental pollution, aside from global warming and ozone depletion, that can have impacts that occur across multiple countries.
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5
1 mark
Identify which effects last longer, those resulting from acute pollution or those resulting from chronic pollution.
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6
2 marks
Briefly outline how catalytic converters can reduce urban air pollution.
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7
2 marks
When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, they can form acids.
State the two acids formed.
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8
2 marks
Acid deposition is a significant environmental issue caused by human activities. It occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels.
State the two main ways that SO2 and NOx can be deposited.
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9
2 marks
Suggest why buildings and statues made out of limestone and marble are damaged by acid deposition.
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10
1 mark
Acidic deposition accelerates the leaching of essential nutrients from soil, which reduces their availability for plants, leading to nutrient deficiencies and impacting plant growth and overall ecosystem productivity.
Identify one of these nutrients.
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11
2 marks
Define the term photochemical smog.
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12
2 marks
Complete the following sentence:
Peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) are examples of secondary pollutants, formed when __________ react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of __________ radiation.
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13
1 mark
Other than temperature inversions, identify one meteorological factor that intensifies smog formation.
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14
2 marks
List two topographical features that can trap pollutants and worsen smog.
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15
2 marks
State two biological impacts of tropospheric ozone.
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1
3 marks
Explain the processes through which the combustion of fossil fuels contributes to the formation of photochemical smog.
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2
4 marks
Outline four direct impacts of tropospheric ozone and smog.
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3
2 marks
Define the term pollution.
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4
4 marks
List two unnatural or human sources of particulate pollution and two natural sources of particulate pollution.
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5
2 marks
Using examples, explain the difference between primary and secondary pollution.
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6a
4 marks
The graph below shows global tropospheric ozone levels between 1988 and 2023.
Suggest possible reasons for the overall trends in global tropospheric ozone levels shown by the graph.
6b
2 marks
Use the graph in part a to calculate the average annual decrease in tropospheric ozone concentration (in parts per billion) between 1991 and 2010.
Show your working.
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7
4 marks
List four possible air pollution management strategies that can be used to reduce tropospheric ozone and photochemical smog.
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8
3 marks
Describe how fossil fuel combustion can lead to acid deposition.
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9
3 marks
Explain how acid deposition, caused by SO2 and NOx, can have negative effects on terrestrial ecosystems.
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10
3 marks
Outline a method that indirectly measures the influence of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides on an ecosystem.
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11
2 marks
Explain how one advancement in technology has led to the reduction of transport emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
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12
2 marks
Explain how one alteration in human behaviour has led to the reduction of transport emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
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13
4 marks
Compare and contrast smog conditions in a coastal city and an inland valley city.
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14
2 marks
Contrast tropospheric ozone with stratospheric ozone.
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1
7 marks
Explain how changes in the concentration of tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere might affect global biodiversity.
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2
7 marks
Acid deposition falling on an area of woodland can also affect a nearby aquatic ecosystem.
Explain how.
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3
9 marks
For terrestrial ecosystems, discuss the challenges associated with managing the impacts of acid rain in comparison to managing the impacts of climate change.
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4
9 marks
Evaluate pollution management strategies for reducing photochemical smog.
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5
7 marks
Explain how tropospheric ozone and smog indirectly impacts societies, economies and communities.
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