As the human population increases, more fossil fuels are burned - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 6
As the human population increases, more fossil fuels are burned.
The burning of coal is one of the main contributors to acid rain.
(i) Complete the sentence by putt... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:As the human population increases, more fossil fuels are burned - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
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Answer
The gas produced when coal burns that can lead to acid rain formation is D sulfur dioxide. This gas combines with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, contributing to acid rain.
Step 2
Describe how acid rain is formed.
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Answer
Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. These gases react with water vapor and oxygen in the atmosphere, resulting in the production of sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids then fall to the ground as acid rain when it precipitates.
Step 3
Suggest one effect acid rain has on the environment.
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Answer
One effect of acid rain on the environment is the damage it causes to aquatic ecosystems. Acid rain can lower the pH of water bodies, making them more acidic and harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Step 4
Explain how the quality of a river can be monitored by studying the organisms present in the water.
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Answer
The quality of a river can be monitored by examining the presence and types of organisms, known as indicator species. For instance, the presence of sensitive species like mayflies indicates clean water, while species such as sludge worms indicate pollution. Monitoring these organisms helps assess the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem.
