2019 Past Paper Questions Flashcards
what is the waste management hierarchy
1 - Prevention 2 - Reduce 3 - Reuse 4 - Recycle 5 - Energy Recovery 6 - Disposal
Explain two difficulties associated with the location and two difficulties associated with the development of landfill sites.
LOCATION;
• The site must be geologically suitable so that the polluting leachates from the site cannot affect the surrounding land and water. [2]
• There may be objections from local residents due to noise/odour/economic issues. This will delay planning permission being granted and subsequent award of a permit. [2]
• The new landfill sites must have suitable transport links so that waste can be brought to the site in heavy goods vehicles. This limits the number of sites to those with good existing links or requires investment in new transport links. [2]
DEVELOPMENT;
• Planning permission is required which can delay the landfill becoming operational by several years. This requires significant forward planning. [2]
• The landfill must include leach ate and landfill gas treatment measures to minimise water and air pollution. [2]
• Lake detection is required as flammable methane gas can be released. Methane is a greenhouse gas. [2]
Discuss one way in which Landfill Tax supports the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy.
- Making land filling waste more expensive encourages waste producers to use other waste management options (such as recycling) [2].
- The landfill tax raises money to support environmental initiatives such as the Eco-schools project and advertising campaigns such as Rethink Waste which encourages the public to reduce, reuse and recycle. [2].
The time taken for the full degradation of material in an anaerobic
digestion system?
Residence Time
The biological reactions occur in one holding tank and the bio-gas
comes from this tank?
Single Stage
Feed stock containing up to 55% solid material?
High Solid
Explain what happens during Hydrolysis?
When insoluble carbohydrate materials react with the water to break down more complex insoluble organic substances to form sugar and amino acids.
Explain what happens during Acetogensis?
Acetogenic bacteria convert the organic acids that are produced into acetic acids, ammonia, hydrogen and carbon dioxide
Outline three different measures which could be used to achieve the Fabric Energy Efficiency requirements of the Zero Carbon Homes
hierarchy
- The use of an appropriate building form [1]
- Well insulated walls, floor, roof [1]
- Good air-tightness [1]
- Efficient heating and ventilation systems [1]
- Passive solar design [1]
The world population reached 7 billion in 2011. The UN forecasts it will reach 8.5 billion by 2030.
Discuss the factors which show how an increasing population will affect the demand for the Earths resources
Rising demand for food;
>Rising consumption of food per head in industrialised countries/emerging economies with rising incomes and growing lifestyle expectations and consumption
>Crop and crop land losses to energy crops
>Land degradation/Desertification, resulting in less land available to agriculture
Rising demand for water;
>Production of crops and livestock is water-intensive
>Increased need for irrigation in already arid areas to boost food production;
>increased industrialisation/urbanisation means greater demand for water for drinking, drainage and sanitation
Rising demand for energy;
>Emerging economies, industrialisation and urbanisation are causing greater demand for energy;
>20% of the worlds population lack assess to reliable electricity supplies;
>Universal access to energy without causing major environmental impacts may be possible with increased use of renewable technologies
Sustainable materials and zero are two principles of the One Planet Living framework. Explain how these can help create a sustainable planet.
Sustainable materials:
>Using sustainable materials, such as those with low embodied energy, sourced locally, and made for, renewable or waste sources
Zero Waste:
>Reducing waste, reusing/recycling where possible and ultimately send zero waste to landfill
In August 2010 the Rural Coalition published its report “The Rural Challenge: Achieving sustainable rural communities for the 21st century”. This report concluded that “a more sustainable future for all rural communities is both essential and achievable. It demands a fundamental change of approach at both national and local level.”
Explain how the following four issues could be dealt with in ways that would underpin the development of sustainable rural communities.
- Independent energy solutions: using indigenous (local) energy sources for example biomass, agricultural waste treatment, wind power and small-scale district heating solutions; this would avoid the need for mains energy supplies which would be difficult and expensive to install [2]
- Local water sources: using local water sources such as wells/boreholes/ lakes for the provision of non-potable water thereby reducing need for mains water supplies for these purposes to farms, etc. [2];
- Local food production: environmental, economic and social benefits of local food production and consumption (e.g. farmer’s markets; community gardens/allotments) providing more income for farmers and local communities, more local employment and reducing transportation and ‘food miles’ [2]
- Access to communication technologies: impact of communication technologies to enhance accessibility to rural areas without generating new travel demands (e.g. availability of high speed broadband; video conferencing; working from home;) [2]
Compare and contrast tidal stream generators and tidal barrages as generating methods for tidal power with regard to power generation, cost and environmental impact
> Power generation: tidal stream generators are basically underwater turbines whereas tidal barrages are like a small hydro-electric dam; the tidal barrage tends to generate more power than the tidal stream generator [2]
> Cost: tidal stream generators cost significantly less as they are just individual turbines placed on the seabed whereas tidal barrages are large constructions built across estuaries [2]
> Environmental Impact: tidal stream generators turn slowly and have less impact on the environment and marine life whereas tidal barrages can have extensive impact on marine life and estuarine habitats [2]
State ONE advantage and TWO risks associated with the use of Geo-engineering.
Any one advantage from:
• Counteract increasing global temperatures
• Facilitates the control of greenhouse gases
Any two risks from:
• Risks associated with control and predictability of technologies and processes
• Little known about the long term side effects
• Ethical concerns and risks.
State the name given to the process of using algae to generate electricity in biological solar cells.
Biophotovoltaics
