VCE Environmental Science 2013–2016Written examination
Examination specifications
Overall conditionsThe end-of-year examination will be sat at a time and date to be set annually by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.There will be 15 minutes reading time and 2 hours writing time. VCAA examination rules will apply.The examination will be marked by assessors appointed by the VCAA.Details of these rules are published annually in the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook. The examination will contribute 50 per cent to the Study Score.
ContentThe VCE Environmental Science Study Design 2013–2016 is the document used for the development of the examination.Questions will be based on the key knowledge and key skills that underpin the outcomes in Units 3 and 4. Students will be required to apply the knowledge and skills outlined in Units 3 and 4, with the following exceptions.• specificdetailsrelatedtoaselectedthreatenedanimal(Unit3Outcome2)• specificdetailsrelatedtoaselectedpollutant(Unit4Outcome1)• specificdetailsrelatedtoanenvironmentalscienceproject(Unit4Outcome2)Althoughthespecificdetailsrelatedtothethreecasestudiesabovewill not be assessed in the end-of-year examination, they will be assessed by School-assessed Coursework. The application of the following underlying principles related to threatened animals, pollutants and environmental scienceprojectsinprovidedcontextswill be assessed in the end-of-year examination.• threateningprocessesonbiodiversity• characteristicsandmanagementofpollutantsingeneral• generalprinciplesofecologicallysustainabledevelopment• environmentalmanagementstrategiesThe student-selected fossil fuel and non-fossil fuel energy resources are examinable in both School-assessed Coursework and in the end-of-year examination.
FormatThe examination will consist of two sections.Section A will consist of 30 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark each.Section B will consist of short answer questions and will be worth 90 marks.The examination will be worth 120 marks in total.TherewillbeabalanceofcontentacrossthefourareasofstudyinUnits3and4toreflecttheweightingintheSchool-assessed Coursework.Questions in the examination will not be organised according to areas of study and may cover individual areas of study content in more than one area of study from Unit 3 and Unit 4.The examination will be presented in a question and answer book. Students will be required to provide answers to Section B within the spaces allocated in the question and answer book. The number of lines provided after each question, together with the number of marks allocated, will indicate the appropriate length of the response.
©VICTORIANCURRICULUMANDASSESSMENTAUTHORITY2012
October2012
VCEEnvScience(Specificationsandsample)–October2012 2
Approved materials and equipmentStudents are permitted to bring into the examination room: pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, rulers and one scientificcalculator.
Further adviceDuringthe2013–2016accreditationperiodfortheVCE Environmental Science Study Design, examinations will bepreparedaccordingtotheexaminationspecificationsabove.Theexaminationwillassessarepresentativesample of the key knowledge and key skills from Unit 3 and Unit 4. The examinable outcomes are listed on page 27 of the VCE Environmental Science Study Design.The following sample examination questions are intended to demonstrate the format and the types of questions thatteachersandstudentscanexpectonthenewend-of-yearVCEEnvironmentalScienceexamination.The VCAA provides answers to multiple-choice questions. The VCAA does not provide answers for other sections.ThefollowingdocumentsshouldbereferredtoinrelationtotheVCEEnvironmentalScienceexamination.• VCE Environmental Science Study Design 2013–2016• VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VET
Figures
Words
STUDENT NUMBER Letter
S A M P L E
SUPERVISOR TO ATTACH PROCESSING LABEL HEREVictorian Certificate of Education Year
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCEWritten examination
Day Date Reading time: **.** ** to **.** ** (15 minutes) Writing time: **.** ** to **.** ** (2 hours)
QUESTION AND ANSWER BOOK
Structure of bookSection Number of
questionsNumber of questions
to be answeredNumber of
marks
A 30 30 30B 6 6 90
Total 120
• Studentsarepermittedtobringintotheexaminationroom:pens,pencils,highlighters,erasers,sharpeners,rulersandonescientificcalculator.
• StudentsareNOTpermittedtobringintotheexaminationroom:blanksheetsofpaperand/orwhiteoutliquid/tape.
Materials supplied• Questionandanswerbookof32 pages.• Answersheetformultiple-choicequestions.Instructions• Writeyourstudent numberinthespaceprovidedaboveonthispage.• Checkthatyourname andstudent numberasprintedonyouranswersheetformultiple-choice
questionsarecorrect,andsignyournameinthespaceprovidedtoverifythis.
• AllwrittenresponsesmustbeinEnglish.At the end of the examination• Placetheanswersheetformultiple-choicequestionsinsidethefrontcoverofthisbook.
Students are NOT permitted to bring mobile phones and/or any other unauthorised electronic devices into the examination room.
©VICTORIANCURRICULUMANDASSESSMENTAUTHORITY2012
October2012
ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 2 October2012
SECTION A–continued
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SECTION A – Multiple-choice questions
Instructions for Section AAnswerallquestionsinpencilontheanswersheetprovidedformultiple-choicequestions.Choosetheresponsethatiscorrectorthatbest answersthequestion.Acorrectanswerscores1,anincorrectanswerscores0.Markswillnotbedeductedforincorrectanswers.Nomarkswillbegivenifmorethanoneansweriscompletedforanyquestion.
Question 1AfossilfuelisbestdescribedasA. aflammablesolidorgas.B. afuelthatcontainscarbon.C. fossilisedrockthatwillburninapowerstation.D. aflammablesubstanceformedfromancientbiologicalmaterial.
Question 2Anexampleofanon-renewable,non-fossilenergyresourceisA. oil.B. coal.C. tidal.D. uranium.
Question 3Whichofthefollowingisnotarenewableenergysource?A. windB. solarC. biomassD. naturalgas
Question 4Theterm‘exothermic’referstoachemicalreactionA. inwhichheatisabsorbed.B. inwhichheatisgivenout.C. thatproceedsveryrapidly.D. thatrequireshightemperaturestobeginthereaction.
October2012 3 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION A–continuedTURN OVER
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Use the following information to answer Questions 5 and 6.Anengineerisplanningtheelectricitysupplyforanisolatedcity.Shewantstomakethesystemasenergyefficientandenvironmentallyfriendlyaspossible,butheroptionsarelimited.Thetwooptionssheisconsideringareasfollows.Option1:coal-burningpowerstationonacoalfieldapproximately300kmfromthecity,withhigh-voltagetransmissionlinesbetweenthemOption2:dieselpowerstationinthecity,generatingpoweratthedesiredvoltage(250VAC)InOption1,theefficiencyofthevariousstagesintheprocessisasfollows.• efficiencyofthegeneratingplant(coaltoelectricity)–60%• efficiencyofthelong-distance,high-voltagetransmissionlines–90%• efficiencyofthetransformerstoconverthighvoltageto250Vinthecity–90%InOption2,thedieselpowerstationisapproximately60%efficient(oilfueltoelectricity,readytouse).
Question 5Whatpercentageofthecoal’senergyreachesthecity?A. approximately30%B. approximately50%C. approximately60%D. approximately90%
Question 6Onekilogramofdiesel-oilfuelusedcontains8000kJofenergy.Howmuchoftheenergycontainedinthediesel-oilfuelisnotconvertedtoelectricitywhenburntinthepowerstation?A. 4800kJB. 3200kJC. 2400kJD. 1200kJ
Question 7MercuryisparticularlyhazardoustohumanhealthbecauseA. itbioaccumulateshighupthefoodchain.B. asaheavymetal,itcancauseseriousimpactinjury.C. itislightandvolatile,andsoiswidelydispersedthroughtheenvironmentbywind.D. asapuremetalitisverysolubleinwater,henceeasilyabsorbedthroughdrinkingwater.
Question 8Whichofthefollowingisthebestdescriptionofsulfurdioxide?A. agaslessdensethanairB. agasmoredensethanairC. agasinsolubleinwaterD. anacidicliquidatordinaryroomtemperature
ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 4 October2012
SECTION A–continued
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Question 9 ThedosageofsulfurdioxideisbestdescribedasA. ameasureoftheharmsulfurdioxidedoestoaperson.B. theamountofsulfurdioxideapersonexperiencesinagiventime.C. theamountofsulfurdioxideabsorbedbyapersoninagiventime.D. theamountofsulfurdioxideenteringtheenvironmentinagiventime.
Question 10ThetoxicityofmercuryisbestdescribedasA. howmercuryenterstheenvironment.B. ameasureoftheharmmercurydoestoaperson.C. thepersistenceofmercuryintheenvironment.D. howmuchmercuryapersonexperiencesinagiventime.
Question 11Insomeregions,thecombinationofacidrainandsmogcausesdamagetoforeststhatisworsethantheimpactofeitheracidrainorsmogonitsown.ThisisanexampleofA. specificity.B. acutetoxicity.C. chronictoxicity.D. synergisticaction.
Question 12Whichoneofthefollowingbestaccountsformercury’ssignificantharmtotheenvironment?A. persistenceB. degradabilityC. specificityD. synergism
October2012 5 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION A–continuedTURN OVER
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CONTINUES OVER pAgE
ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 6 October2012
SECTION A–continued
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Use the following information to answer Questions 13–19.Alargeoutletisbeingplannedtoreleasetreatedwaterfromaseweragetreatmentplantintotheocean.Thetreatedwaterisnottoxic,buthasanunpleasantsmellandsocanbeconsideredapollutant.Theoutletfeedsthetreatedwaterintodeepocean,withastrongcurrent,whichspreadsthistreatedwater.
sewerage plant
coastline
ocean
outletcurrent
Engineersoftenusescalemodelstostudyproposedenvironmentalprojects.Thisprojectismodelledbelow.
tank (10 litres) A
valve (V)
downstream
B
20 L/s
Themodelconsistsofa10litresupplytank,A,whichdeliversthewaterthroughapipe,B,intoastreamofwaterflowingalongachannel,tomodeltheoceancurrent.Thewaterflowsthroughthechannelat20litrespersecond.Tosimulatethepollutant,100gramsofachemicalisthoroughlymixedintothesupplytankwiththevalve(V)closed.
Question 13WhichoneofthefollowingbestgivestheconcentrationofthechemicalinthesupplytankA?A. 0.10g/LB. 1.0g/LC. 10g/LD. 100g/L
October2012 7 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION A–continuedTURN OVER
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Question 14Withthewaterflowinginthechannel,thevalve(V)isnowopenedandthesupplytankemptiesin 20seconds.WhichoneofthefollowingbestgivestheconcentrationofthechemicalinthestreamflowdownstreamofpipeB?A. 0.10g/LB. 0.25g/LC. 1.0g/LD. 25g/L
Question 15Aspartoftheplanningforthesewerageoutletproject,anEnvironmentalRiskAssessmentistobecarriedout.WhichoneofthefollowingisthemainaimofanEnvironmentalRiskAssessment?A. todeterminetheleastexpensivewaytoprotecttheenvironmentB. toreducethenumberofpeoplewhoareconcernedabouttheprojectC. toensurethattherearenoadverseeffectsontheenvironmentfromtheprojectD. toevaluatethebalanceofpositivebenefitsagainstpossibleharmfuleffects
Question 16Theplanningalsoneedstotakeintoaccountregulatoryframeworks.Whichoneofthefollowingbestdescribesaregulatoryframework?A. asetofstandardsagreedbyallscientistsB. governmentlegislationtoensurethatprojectsmeetacceptablestandardsC. asetofguidelinesagreedbythelocalcommunityconcerningtheprojectD. agreedguidelinestotakeresponsibilityforecologicalsustainabilityawayfromtheplanners,
constructorsandoperators
Question 17Ascientiststatesthatthesewerageoutletprojectmustbeecologicallysustainable.ThismeansthattheprojectmustA. meettheneedsofthecurrentpopulationwithoutcompromisingtheneedsoffuturegenerations.B. notaffecttheecologyofthenearbyoceanareainanyway.C. takeintoaccounttheparticularecologyofthenearbyarea.D. maintainthebiodiversityofthenearbyoceanarea.
ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 8 October2012
SECTION A–continued
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Aspartofmonitoringthesewerageoutletproject,ascientistrandomlysampledthenumberofindividualsfromfourdifferentfishspeciesinanareaofonesquarekilometrearoundtheoutlet.Themeasurementsweretakenbeforetheoutletwasconstructedandone,twoandthreeyearsafteritbeganoperating.Theamountoftreatedwaterfromthesewerageplantwasthesamethroughoutthethree-yearperiod.Thedataisshownbelow.
Before operating One year Two years Three years
Species W 5000 4 000 6 000 4 000
Species X 3 000 4 000 3 000 4 000
Species Y 2 000 3500 3 000 4 000
Species Z 4 000 2800 4 200 3 000
Question 18Thepercentagechangeinthetotalnumberoffishinthesampledareafrombeforetheopeningofthesewerageoutletprojectuntiltheendofthethreeyearsisbestgivenby(+indicatesincrease;–indicatesdecrease)A. –7%B. +7%C. +70%D. +107%
Question 19ThescientistreportsthatbecausethenumbersoffishofspeciesWandZhavedecreasedoverthethreeyears,theplanthashadanegativeimpactontheecosystem.Whichoneofthefollowingstatementsisthebestcommentonthisreport?A. Thescientistiscorrect.B. Thereisinsufficientdatatodrawanyconclusion.C. Thevariationisduetolossofbiodiversity,asspeciesYisbeginningtodominatethenumbers.D. Thescientistisincorrect,sincevariationinnumbersismorelikelytobeduetorandomvariationand
samplingeffects.
October2012 9 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
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SECTION A – continuedTURN OVER
CONTINUES OVER pAgE
ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 10 October2012
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SECTION A–continued
Use the following information to answer Questions 20–24.TheSouthernBent-wingBatisamedium-sizedbatthatstaysincavesduringthedayandhuntsforinsectsinforestsandwetlandsatnight.
Question 20 AgroupofscientistshasmonitoredapopulationoftheSouthernBent-wingBatinasmallcavesystemoveraseven-yearperiod.Thenumberofbatsestimatedforeachyearisgiveninthetablebelow.
Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008Number 110 110 115 122 110 110 114
Theaveragepopulationsizelivinginthecavesystemovertheseven-yearperiodisbestcalculatedasA. 110.B. 111.C. 112.D. 113.
Question 21Theprobability(calculatedrisk)ofextinctionofthisSouthernBent-wingBatpopulationoverthenext15yearsisestimatedtobe0.70.Alargerpopulationinasecondseparatecavesystemhasaprobabilityofextinctionestimatedtobe0.20overthesameperiod.Whichofthefollowingbestgivestheprobabilityofextinctionofbothpopulationsinthenext15years?A. 0.14B. 0.27C. 0.50D. 0.97
Question 22TheSouthernBent-wingBatroostsandbreedsonlyincavesandmineshaftsinsoutheasternSouthAustraliaandsouthwesternVictoria.ThismeansthatthespeciesA. hasawidevarietyofhabitats.B. isatriskofgeneticswamping.C. isendemictothisregionofAustralia.D. needsdemographicvariationtooccurtomaintainitspopulationsize.
Question 23ThetotalpopulationoftheSouthernBent-wingBathasdeclinedconsistentlyfromapproximately 125000in1964toabout40000in2004.ItislikelythatadeclineofsuchnumberswouldhaveresultedintheconservationcategoryofthespeciesbeingreclassifiedfromA. criticaltovulnerable.B. criticaltoendangered.C. endangeredtocritical.D. endangeredtovulnerable.
October2012 11 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
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SECTION A–continuedTURN OVER
Question 24AnumberofreasonsaresuggestedforthedecliningnumbersoftheSouthernBent-wingBat.Thereasonsinclude• clearingofforesthabitats• disturbanceofbreedingsitesbytourists• decreaseintheinsectsthebatsfeedonduetopesticideuse.However,scientistslackdatatoidentifythespecificcause.Inresponsetothislackofdata,theprecautionaryprinciplewouldmoststronglysuggestthatA. acaptivebreedingprogramshouldbeestablishedtorebuildspeciesdiversity.B. authoritiesshouldstilldevelopandimplementstrategiestoaddresseachofthepossiblecauses.C. thereislittlethatcanbedonetodealwiththedecreasingpopulation,sincethecauseisunknown.D. thescientistsshouldundertakefurtherinvestigationtoidentifythemainthreatandwritearisk
assessmentreport.
Question 25GeneticswampingislikelytohappenwhenaA. smallpopulationofspeciesAtakesoverthehabitatofalargerpopulationofadifferentspeciesB.B. largepopulationofspeciesAtakesoverthehabitatofasmallerpopulationofadifferentspeciesB.C. largepopulationofspeciesAmovesintoahabitatoccupiedbyasmallergeneticallysimilar
populationofA.D. largepopulationofspeciesAmovesintoahabitatoccupiedbyasmallergeneticallydifferent
populationofA.
ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 12 October2012
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SECTION A–continued
Use the following information to answer Questions 26–30.Anoldwaterstoragedamistohaveitsdamwallrepaired.Toaccessthedamwallforrepairs,alargeamountofwaterstoredinthedamneedstobereleasedintoariver.AnEnvironmentalRiskAssessmentisrequiredbeforetheprojectisapproved.
Question 26Inreleasingthewaterintotheriver,whichoneofthefollowingenvironmentalconsequenceswillmostlikelyneedtobeavoided?A. erosionB. evaporationC. drylandsalinityD. increasedsalinityintheriver
Question 27ThemainpurposeoftheEnvironmentalRiskAssessmentistoA. ensuremaximumlocalemploymentontheproject.B. eliminateanydisruptiontotheenvironmentduringrepair.C. minimisethenumberofpeoplelikelytoobjecttotheproject.D. balanceanyenvironmentaldamageagainstthebenefitoftherepair.
Question 28Whichoneofthefollowingfactorsbestindicatesthatthedamrepairisecologicallysustainable?A. disruptiontolocalwildlifeistemporaryB. employmentiscreatedduringtherepairprojectC. thehabitatofendemicthreatenedpopulationshasbeendisturbedD. previouslysubmergedheritagebuildingscanbeinvestigated
Question 29Afterthedamisrepaired,itisfoundthatsoilsedimentsinthefloodplainoftherivercontainsignificantlevelsofphosphorusthatwerenotpresentbeforethewaterrelease.Ascientistsuggeststhatthiscanbecorrectedbyplantingaparticulartypeofvegetationthatabsorbsandbioaccumulatesphosphorusfromthesoil.ThisisanexampleofA. recycling.B. soilbioremediation.C. waterconservation.D. wasteminimisation.
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October2012 13 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
END OF SECTION ATURN OVER
Question 30Aftercompletionofthework,ascientistconductsanevaluationoftheeffectivenessoftheEnvironmentalManagementPlanfortheproject.WhichoneofthefollowingwouldbeevidenceforthesuccessoftheEnvironmentalManagementPlan?A. Thedamnolongerleaked.B. Theworkcameinunderbudget.C. Nonativeanimalsweredisturbedduringthework.D. Twoyearslater,theecologyoftheareadownstreamofthedamissimilartotheecologybeforethework
wasdone.
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 14 October2012
SECTION B – Question 1 –continued
Question 1 (14 marks)Alarge,industrial,portcityislocatedonthecoast.Nearbyisahighmountainrange,whichreceivesheavyrainfallduetothestrong,moistonshorewind(blowingfromseatoland)thatblowsabouthalfofthetime.Thecityiswell-servedbybothseaandrailtransport,socoalcanbeeasilyobtained.Thereisthepossibilityofanaturalgasfieldabout50kmoffthecoast.Publictransportisprovidedbyanextensiveelectrictramsystem.Oneofthemainindustriesinthecityisanaluminiumsmelter,whichoperates24hoursperday,365daysperyear,continually,anditisalargeconsumerofelectricity.Thecitycouncilisdoinglong-termplanningtoprovideforthefutureelectricitysupplyneedsofthecity.Nameafossilfuelenergysourceandanon-fossilfuelenergysourcethatyouhavestudied.
fossil
non-fossil
a. Describehowyouwouldusethesesources,eithersinglyorincombination,tomeettheneedsofthiscityinanadequatewayandwithemphasisonsustainability.Youshouldrefertoanysubsidiaryinfrastructurethatwouldbeneeded. 3marks
SECTION B
Instructions for Section BAnswerall questionsinthespacesprovided.Writeusingblackorbluepen.
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October2012 15 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B – Question 1 –continuedTURN OVER
b. Outlinetheadvantagesofusingyournominatedfossilfuelenergysourceinthesystemdescribedinpart a. 3marks
c. Outlinethedisadvantagesofthesystemyouhavesuggestedinpart a.ofyournominatedfossilfuelenergysource. 2marks
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 16 October2012
SECTION B –continued
d. Commentontheeconomic,socialandenvironmentalimplicationsofyourchoices. 3marks
e. Areportermakesthefollowingstatement. ‘Non-fossilfuelsarepreferredbecauseallnon-fossilfuelsarerenewable,whileallfossilfuelsare
non-renewable.’ Explainwhythisstatementisinaccurateandincludeanexampleorexamplestosupportyour
explanation. 3marks
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October2012 17 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B–continuedTURN OVER
CONTINUES OVER pAgE
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 18 October2012
SECTION B – Question 2 –continued
Question 2 (15 marks)a. ThetemperatureofEarth’satmosphereisdeterminedbythegreenhouseeffect. ExplainthemechanismofEarth’sgreenhouseeffect,includingtheroleofultraviolet,visibleand
infraredradiation. 5marks Youranswershouldincludereferenceto
• typesofincomingsolarradiation• atmosphericabsorption• typesofre-emittedradiation.
Youshouldincludeaclearlylabelleddiagram.
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October2012 19 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B –continuedTURN OVER
b. Explainthedifferencebetweenthenaturalandenhancedgreenhouseeffects,includingtheimplicationsofeachforhumanlife. 4marks
c. Describetwostrategiesforreducingtheenhancedgreenhouseeffect. 2marks
d. Discusstheimpactofonefossilfuelandonenon-fossilfuelenergysourceonglobalwarming,includingthemechanismbywhicheachaffectsthewarming. 4marks
fossilfuelenergysource
non-fossilfuelenergysource
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 20 October2012
SECTION B – Question 3–continued
Question 3 (20 marks)TheBlackButteMineinOregon,USA,mined,crushedandheatedmercurysulfidetoproducetheelementmercuryfrom1882until1969.Theprocessinvolvesheatingmercuricsulfidetoremovethesulfur,whichcomesoffassulfurdioxide.Themineisnolongerinuseanditisintendedtoreusethesiteforrecreationalpurposes.Aspartofanenvironmentalassessment,researcherstooknumeroussoilsamplesandanalysedtheamountofmercurypresentineachsample.Themapshowsthelocationofthemineandthesamplingsites.SiteAisthelocationofanoldprocessingplantatthemine(establishedin1882).SiteBisthelocationofanewerprocessingplantatthemine(establishedin1950).SiteCisontheslopeofahillfacingtheminesite.SiteDisonaslopeonthefarsideofahill.SitesEandFarenearariverflowingthroughtheminesite.SiteEisclosertotheminethansiteF.Resultsoftheanalysesarepresentedinthetablebelow(µgis0.000001gor10–6g).
hilltop hilltop
river flow
A
B
CD
E
F
Resultsoftheanalysesarepresentedinthetablebelow(μgis0.000001gor10–6).
Total mercury concentration (µg/g)
Sample number
Site A Site B Site C Site D Site E Site F
1 1 120 727 4.8 0.8 12.6 8.6
2 1850 652 9.2 1.2 15.0 4.4
3 2 090 78 2.9 0.6 19.5 10.8
4 1 200 41 5.0 1.0 8.7 7.8
5 1540 244 6.7 0.7 14.4 2.2
a. Whydidtheresearcherstakeanumberofmeasurementsofmercuryconcentrationsinsoilsamplesateachsiteratherthanrelyingononesampleateachlocation? 2marks
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October2012 21 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B – Question 3–continuedTURN OVER
b. Referringtotherelevantpropertiesofmercuryandsulfurdioxide,explainwhetheryouwouldexpecttofindone,theotherorbothatthesitemanyyearsaftertheminehasceasedproduction. 3marks
c. Explainwhymercuryintheenvironmentishazardousandlistsomeofitsimpacts. 4marks
d. Byexaminingthedatainthetable,describethemostlikelytransportmechanismsformercurypollutioninthevicinityofthemine(atC,D,EandF)andintheareaaffectedbythemine.Explainwhythedatagivenindicatesthesemechanisms. 4marks
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 22 October2012
SECTION B–continued
e. Whenthenewprocessingplantfortheminewasoperating(1950–1969),wouldyouhaveconsidereditapointordiffusesourceformercuryandsulfurdioxide?Explainyouranswers. 2marks
mercury
sulfurdioxide
Ineachofthefollowingquestions,part f.andpart g.,youshouldmakeexplicitreferencetothescenarioandinformationonpage20.f. ThelocalgovernmentrequiresanEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentoftheprojecttobecarriedout. Outlinethenecessarystepsinthisprocessanddescribewhatshouldbeincludedinthefinalreport. 2marks
g. Outlinethreekeystakeholdergroupsthatshouldbeconsultedanddescribeasuitableprocessforconsultation. 3marks
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October2012 23 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B – Question 4–continuedTURN OVER
Question 4 (15 marks)Thecassowaryisaverylarge,flightlessbirdfoundinnorthQueensland.TherearebelievedtobesomesmallpopulationsofunknownnumbersinsouthernNewGuinea,althoughmostofthesemaynowbeextinctduetohuntingandcollectionofeggsforhumanfood.Malesareveryterritorial,withaterritorythatcanbeupto7squarekilometresinextent.Themalesaresolitary–therearenogroupsofadults(althoughsomegroupsmayhavedevelopedinareasofurbangrowthduetohumanfeeding).Femalesmovethroughdifferentterritoriesandmatewithmales,thenmoveon.Themaleshatchtheeggsandnurturethechicksforuptoayear.Theyoungmalebirdsmustthenmoveonandfindtheirownterritory.Birdshavealifespanofabout30years,withupto50yearsincaptivity.TherearethreemainpopulationsofthecassowaryinQueensland,twointhefarnorthonCapeYork–theNorthernCapeYorkpopulationandSouthernCapeYorkpopulation.Thethirdisfurthersouth,intheareasouthofCairnsandaroundTownsville–thewettropicspopulation.Alltheseareasarecycloneprone,withsignificantcyclonesinmanyyears.ThetotalnumberofcassowariesinAustraliahasdecreasedoverthelast30years,althoughaccuratecountingisextremelydifficult.Onesourcequotesthatin1988therewereanestimated4000adults;in2001about2000;andperhaps1200–1500currently.Hence,theyareclassifiedasendangeredundertherelevantlegislation.Thebirdseatmainlyfruit,oftenswallowinglargefruitwhole.Theirdroppingscarrytheseseedsovermuchoftheirterritory.Themainthreatstothecassowaryarebelievedtobe• collisionswithvehicles(approximately60%–75%ofdeathsinthewettropicspopulation)• lossofhabitatandhabitatfragmentation• predatingbydogs(perhaps15%ofdeaths)• cyclones(20%ofadultsandvirtuallyalldependentchickswerekilledwhenCycloneLarryhitnorth
Queenslandin2006).a. Intermsofthebehaviourpatternsofthecassowary,explainwhyaccurateestimatesofthe
populationsmaybedifficult. 2marks
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 24 October2012
SECTION B – Question 4 –continued
Abiologistsuggestsrelocatingsomeofthecassowariestoanotherarea.AsuggestedregionismidwaybetweenthewettropicspopulationandsouthernCapeYorkpopulation.b. Evaluateargumentsforandagainstthisplan. 4marks
Forthisplan,Alan,aranger,suggeststaking20adultmalesand15adultfemalesfromthewettropicspopulation,asithasthelargestnumberofbirdsofthethreeAustralianpopulations.Regina,anotherranger,wantstotakesomebirdsfromeachpopulation,althoughtheotherpopulationsaremuchsmaller.c. Giveyouropinion,withreasons,astowhichisthebestoption–allfromthewettropicspopulation
orsomefromeachpopulation. 3marks
d. Giveareasonwhythesurvivalofthecassowarymaybeimportantforoverallbiodiversity. 2marks
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October2012 25 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B–continuedTURN OVER
e. Fromthedataabove,suggestsomeactionsthatcouldbetakeninthemanagementplantoensurethesurvivalofthecassowary.Relateyoursuggestionstoinformationinthedescriptionabove. 4marks
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 26 October2012
SECTION B – Question 5 –continued
Question 5 (14 marks)Often,simpleindicesareusedtoassessthespeciesdiversityofahabitat.Susandevelopsasimpleindextodeterminewhetherspeciesdiversityisincreasingordecreasinginparticularhabitats.Thisindex(S)combinesboththenumberofspeciesandtheirrelativeabundance.Itisgivenby
S sum of difference of each species from the mean (absolut=
ee/positive value)number of species
AlowervalueofSindicatesagreaterspeciesdiversity.Instudyingaparticularhabitat,X,thefollowingdatawasfound.
1995 2000
Number Difference from mean
Number Difference from mean
Species 1 80 20 60 0
Species 2 40 20 30 30
Species 3 70 10 40 20
Species 4 80 20 160 100
Species 5 30 30 30 30
Species 6 60 0 40 20
Total number 360 360
Mean 60 60
Susan’sindex=20 20 10 20 30 06
+ + + + + = 0 30 20 100 30 206
+ + + + +
=100/6=16.7 =200/6=33.3
a. Susanarguesthattheindexindicatesthatthespeciesdiversityofthehabitathasdecreasedsignificantlyoverthefive-yearperiod.
Bobarguesthatthetotalnumberofindividualsisthesame(360),thenumberofspeciesisthesame(6)andthatthespeciesdiversityhasnotdecreased.
IsSusanorBobcorrect?Explainyourreason,includingclearlydifferentiatingbetweenspeciesrichnessandspeciesdiversityintheevaluationofbiodiversity. 4marks
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October2012 27 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B – Question 5 – continuedTURN OVER
Toassessthechangeinspeciesdiversityofadifferenthabitat,Y,Susancountsthenumberofindividualsofeachspeciesinthehabitatthreeyearsapart.Thedataisshownbelow.
2001 2004
Species A 10 5
Species B 20 10
Species C 30 70
Species D 30 10
Species E 10 5
b. Calculatethemean(average)numberofindividualsperspeciesfortheyears2001and2004. 2marks
2001
2004
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 28 October2012
SECTION B–continued
c. CalculateSusan’sindexforeachyear.Showyourworkingclearly. 4marks
2001 2004
Number Difference from mean
Number Difference from mean
Species A
Species B
Species C
Species D
Species E
Total number
Mean
Susan’sindex= Susan’sindex=
2001 2004
d. EvaluatetheusefulnessofSusan’sindexforcomparingspeciesdiversitychangeinhabitats. Inyouranswer,youshouldusethesetsofdataprovidedinbothcasestudies(pages26and27). 4marks
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October2012 29 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B–continuedTURN OVER
CONTINUES OVER pAgE
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 30 October2012
SECTION B – Question 6–continued
Question 6 (12 marks)Anewresidentialdevelopmentwiththepotentialtohouseapproximately100000peopleisbeingdevelopedonacoastalstripoflandapproximately10kilometresfromtheedgeofamajorcity.Toprovidetransporttothisnewdevelopment,engineersareplanningaraillink.Theplannedrouteforthislinkisrelativelysimple,exceptforawiderivermouth(estuary)aboutmidwayalongtheroute.Thisrivermouthisabouthalfakilometrewide.Upstreamfromtheproposedrivercrossingisalargewetlandarea,withasignificantwaterbirdhabitat.Theengineersconsidertwopossibilitiesforcrossingthisestuary.OptionA–ahalf-kilometre-longcausewayorbuilt-upembankment,withanumberofopeningstoallowtherivertoflowthroughOptionB–aone-kilometre-longtunneltoallowtherailwaytopassundertheriverThetwopotentialcrossingsareshownbelow.
river
wetlands
ocean
option Acauseway
option Btunnel
landland
Thetotalcostoftherailwaywithouttherivercrossingsisapproximately$20million.OptionAiscostedatapproximately$4million.OptionBiscostedatapproximately$50million.Jennyarguesforthetunnel.• Thecausewaywouldleadtogreatchangeintheflowoftheriver.Thetidewouldnolongerflushthe
wetlandsand,hence,itmaybecomestagnant.• Attimesoflowflowthewetlandscouldbecomeverysalty,affectingthewildlifeinthem.• Thecausewaywouldspoiltheviewoftheoceanfromtheinlandsideoftherailway.Richardarguesasfollows.• Therailwayisessentialtoprovideanenvironmentallysustainabletransportmode.• Ifcarsweretheonlyavailablemeansoftransport,thepollutionwouldaffectanimal,birdandaquatic
lifeinthearea.• Thetunnelistooexpensiveanoptionand,ifthecausewaywasnotallowed,therailwayisunlikelyto
beconstructed,whichwouldhaveenvironmentalconsequences.• WhileagreeingwithJennythatthewetlandareawouldbechangedbythecauseway,thewildlife
(especiallythemigratorywaterbirds)wouldquicklyadjust.• Itisnecessarytobalanceconflictingenvironmentalissuesandthecausewayismuchbetter
environmentallythanthetunnel.Inparts a., b.andc.,youshouldconsidermakingreferencetoi)economic,ii)socialandii)environmentalfactors–notnecessarilyallthreeineachsubquestion.
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October2012 31 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
SECTION B – Question 6 – continuedTURN OVER
a. OutlinethekeyargumentsforoptionA. 3marks
b. OutlinethekeyargumentsforoptionB. 3marks
c. Giveyourownevaluationand,hence,recommendationforthedecision-makingcouncil. 2marks
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ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE) 32 October2012
d. Oneofthegroupsconsultedsaysthatwhicheveroptionischosen,itmustbeshowntobeecologicallysustainable.
Explainthemeaningoftheterm‘ecologicallysustainable’withparticularreferencetohowitappliestothisdecision. 2marks
e. Nameaninternationalconventionthatwouldberelevanttothedecision.Explainwhyitisrelevant. 2marks
END OF QUESTION AND ANSWER BOOK
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October2012 33 ENVSCEXAM(SAMPLE)
Answers to multiple-choice questions
Question Answer Question Answer
1 D 16 B
2 D 17 B
3 D 18 B
4 B 19 D
5 B 20 D
6 B 21 A
7 A 22 C
8 B 23 C
9 C 24 B
10 B 25 D
11 D 26 A
12 A 27 D
13 C 28 A
14 B 29 B
15 D 30 D
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