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QUESTION 14 These figures show different methods of sampling that can be used to measure an unknown variable. Which scenario would create the most effective program to monitor changes in soil pH associated with groundwater movement from a mining operation moving away from the central sector? (A) grid sampling with bulking (B) spatially dense sampling (C) targeted sampling with bulking (D) frequent sampling at a few representative monitoring plots
Difficulty: A
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Paper 1
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2020
QUESTION 18 (5 marks) This question refers to Stimulus 2 and 3 in the stimulus book. A mine that opened in 2014 was surrounded by semi-open woodland. As part of the mine’s environmental plan soil pH was monitored at four sites around the mine. The distribution of three native grass species a woody weed species and an annual weed species was also monitored and recorded. a) Draw aconclusion about which plant species were negatively affected by the operation of the mine. Use data from the stimulus to support your response. [2 marks] b) Draw aconclusion about which monitoring site the data in Stimulus 3 was recorded at. Justify your conclusion using evidence from Stimulus 2 and 3. [3 marks]
QUESTION 4 (6 marks) This question refers to Stimulus 3 in the stimulus book. a) Explain how turbidity ponds are used. [2 marks] b) Draw aconclusion about the effectiveness of the turbidity management strategy at the mine site. Justify your conclusion. [4 marks]
QUESTION 6 The graph shows new hardwood and softwood plantations and the removal of trees in a designated region between 2007 and 2015. The region holds pre-2007 plantation reserves of 94 000 ha for hardwood and 89 000 ha for softwood. 90 80 Key 70 || new softwood plantations new hardwood plantations || softwood removal 60 50 40 hardwood removal 30 Area (’000 ha) N So INN LLL VZZZZ) ZZZZZI [+ + | + 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year Calculate the approximate hardwood plantations remaining at the end of 2013. (A) 52000 ha (B) 93000ha (C) 146000 ha (D) 238000 ha
QUESTION 11 The table shows primary environmental data collected and used to make decisions about Fire Danger Index (FDI) values. Location Days since Maximum Relative Wind speed Fuel load Fire Danger last rainfall average humidity (km/h) and | (tonne/ha) Index (FDI) daytime (%) direction temperature According to this data which environmental factors had the greatest influence on determining the Fire Danger Index values? (A) temperature and fuel load (B) rainfall and wind speed (C) humidity and fuel load (D) rainfall and humidity
QUESTION 13 In which two locations would you most likely find oil and water respectively? Locations
QUESTION 20 (6 marks) Identify two possible environmental risks that could be noted in an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a new gold mine. Propose a strategy to mitigate each risk and explain the principle behind each Strategy. Risk: Strategy: Principle behind strategy: Risk: Strategy: Principle behind strategy:
QUESTION 2 (4 marks) Identify one way that coal mining can have an environmental impact on the biosphere and hydrosphere and propose a method for monitoring each impact. a) Biosphere [2 marks] b) Hydrosphere [2 marks]
QUESTION 3 (6 marks) Use Stimulus | in the stimulus book to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the sulfur dioxide management program. Justify your conclusion using three pieces of evidence. Identify two limitations in the data.
QUESTION 9 It can be inferred from the graph that (A) (B) (C) (D) the amount of forest has increased since 2006. abandoned agricultural land increased the amount of forest. shrubland litter was the least effective at converting its carbon into below-ground biomass. the carbon sequestration rate from highest to lowest is soil above-ground biomass below-ground biomass and litter. QUESTIONS 9-10 These questions refer to the study by Sil et al. (2017) of carbon sequestration and carbon pools in a large area of mixed land use between 1990 and 2020. — — KR A Go & — N on) 1.00 Carbon sequestration rate (Mg C ha ! yr ') So o2) jo) 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 Total Above-ground Below-ground Soil organic Detrital organic biomass biomass carbon matter (litter) Key LJ Mixed land use Abandoned agricultural i Forest Shrubland 1990-2006 land 2007-2020 2007-2020 2007-2020
QUESTION 15 The table shows the abundance of benthic foraminifera species recorded at four sites after a major oceanic oil spill. Species Pre-spill average Distance from oil spill (km) (% abundance + % error) 2 fo 100 ~ % abundance ee ee ee se ee ee ee ee Which species have definitely been affected by the oil spill? (A) land3 (B) 3and5 (C) 1 3 and 5 (D) 1 2 3 4 and 5
QUESTION 6 (14 marks) This question refers to Stimulus 5 in the stimulus book. a) Determine a site for a new coal mine in the area. Justify the location of the mine using three pieces of evidence and a method of extraction. [6 marks] b) Describe the impact of the mine on the hydrosphere geosphere biosphere and atmosphere and their associated environmental monitoring strategies. [8 marks]
QUESTION 8 Which inference is supported by the graphs? (A) The ideal humidity level to reduce particulate matter is 80%. (B) Humidity has the most impact on particulate matter during summer. (C) Increased humidity results in a decrease in particulate matter concentration. (D) Higher concentrations of particulate matter are more resistant to changes in humidity.
Difficulty: B
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Paper 1
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2023
QUESTION 19 The best tests to monitor soil structure are (A) moisture and organic carbon. (B) volume and erosion pattern. (C) particle size and air space. (D) pH and salinity.
QUESTION 8 (15 marks) Interpret the evidence in Stimulus 4 and Stimulus 5 in the stimulus book to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the salt interception scheme for sustaining the natural ecosystem that occurs along the Murray—Darling basin river system. Justify your conclusion.
QUESTION 7 Determine when a PM ; concentration of 50 ug/m® could be recorded. (A) winter: 60% relative humidity (B) winter: 90% relative humidity (C) summer: 60% relative humidity (D) summer: 90% relative humidity
Difficulty: C
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Paper 1
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2023
QUESTION 3 (6 marks) Use Stimulus | in the stimulus book to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the sulfur dioxide management program. Justify your conclusion using three pieces of evidence. Identify two limitations in the data.
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