Name: __________________________________

Date: ________________________
Class: _______________

IB ESS

1.5 Humans and

Pollution
Significant Ideas:
Pollution is a highly diverse phenomenon of human disturbance in ecosystems.
Management strategies can be applied at different levels.

1
What is Pollution?

1. Define “pollution”.
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2. Pollutants can be categorized as “primary” and “secondary” pollutants. Using examples,
explain the difference between these two terms.
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3. The table below lists a number of different examples of pollution. From the list, choose the
matching pollution type.

light, sound, inorganic substances, organic substances, heat

Pollution Type Example

Sulphur dioxide from a

factory entering the air

Manure used as fertilizer

on farmland washing into
a lake
A bright garden light
shining into the
neighbour’s house
Disruptive noise coming
from a busy road near a
housing estate

Warm water entering a

river from a factory

2
4. a) State one example of point and non-point source pollution.
Point source pollution:
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Non-point source pollution:
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b) Explain how point and non-point source pollution differ.

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5. Air quality in Beijing is particularly poor as a result of coal-burning, amongst other activities.
This is an example of chronic pollution. Using an example of acute pollution to support your
answer, explain why Beijing air pollution is an example of chronic pollution.
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6. Some pollutants are considered persistent, while others are biodegradable. Using an example
of each to support your answer, explain what these terms mean.
Persistent Pollutant
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Biodegradable Pollutant
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3
DDT

1. State two uses of DDT.

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2. With reference to biomagnification, describe the harmful effects of DDT on birds.
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3. List some of the potential impacts of DDT on humans.
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4. Summarise the effect that Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring had on public opinion on DDT use.
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5. Evaluate the use of DDT and justify your own opinion on its use.
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4
Pollution Management

Plastics are a major source of pollution with many negative consequences, particularly for
aquatic organism and marine birds if the plastic enters the oceans (and it often does). Plastic
can enter the environment in a number of ways. Poor waste management as well as littering
adds plastic to the environment, and drinks bottles in particular are a major problem. Micro-
beads, which are tiny balls of plastic added to shower gels and cosmetic products, are washed
down the sink and enter water ways directly. Another source is micro-fibers which are
degraded from clothes and are washed away in the laundry.
Plastics that enter the ocean can affect some marine birds; the Laysan Albatross, for example,
feeds by skimming the surface of the water with its beak, meaning it will scoop up and swallow
any plastic that is floating. This often results in the death of young albatrosses, as they are not
able to regurgitate the material. Fish can be harmed by ingesting microplastics, which are
bioaccumulated and then biomagnified through the food chain to higher organisms such as
larger fish, birds and even humans.
1. Using the pollution management model, summarise possible management strategies for
plastics at each of the three levels. You’re expected to make your own sensible suggestions.

Process of Level of pollution

Possible strategy for plastic pollution
pollution management
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Human activity _________________________________________________
Altering human _________________________________________________
producing
activity _________________________________________________
pollutant
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Release of _________________________________________________
Controlling release
pollutant into _________________________________________________
of pollutant
the environment _________________________________________________
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Impact of Clean-up and _________________________________________________
pollutant on restoration of _________________________________________________
ecosystem damaged systems _________________________________________________
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