Coasts past papers 1-20

Question 1

Explain the difference between constructive and destructive waves. (3)

Answer 1

Constructive waves have a long wavelength / shallow gradient waves (1) which means that they have a strong swash and weak backwash (1) compared to destructive waves, so they help to build up the beach (1). OR
Destructive waves have a short wavelength / steeper gradient waves (1) which means they have a weak swash, but a stronger backwash (1) compared to constructive waves, so they lead to erosion of the beach (1).

Question 2

Explain one primary data method (3)

Answer 2

• Annotated field sketches (1) candidates can draw and annotate field sketches (1) to help establish landforms and features on the coast
  (1)
• Beach profile (1) candidates can use a ranging pole and a clinometer (1) to measure the changes in gradient of the beach (1)
• Sediment shape at each sample point candidates could take a random sample (1) and measure the longest axis of the pebble (1) they could use a roundness index or chart to categorise their findings

Question 3

State one secondary data source that can be used when exploring changes along a section of coastline (1)

Answer 3

• Old maps (1) OR
• Historical records (1) OR
• Photos taken by others (1) OR
• Collecting data from the internet (1) OR
• (Geology) maps (1) OR
• (GIS) maps (1) OR
• Archive photographs/sketches (1)

Question 4

Suggest two physical factors that influence coastal landforms. (4)

Answer 4

• Rock type hard rock resistant to erosion (1) can lead to high coastlines and cliffs (1). OR
• Soft engineering such as beach replenishment (1) can limit the effect of erosion at the coast (1). OR
• Pollution from ships (1) can have a negative effect on coastal environments such as destroying coral reefs (1). OR
• Rock type can have a impact on how much weathering takes place (1) this leads to the creation of different landforms (1)

Question 5

What is mechanical weathering? (1)

Answer 5

Water falls into the cracks of rock and repeatedly freezes and thaws; this puts pressure on the surrounding rock, causing it to break apart.

Question 6

Is a spit a depositional or erosional landform?

Answer 6

Depositional

Question 7

Explain the formation of a headland. (4)

Answer 7

• Headlands are formed along discordant coastlines (1) where
  there are bands of hard and soft rock at right angles to the
  coastline (1) which means that the soft rock gets eroded faster
  than hard rock (1) due to hydraulic action / creating a bay and a
  protruding headland (1)

Question 8

State one feature of a sand dune (1)

Answer 8

• Made of blown sand (1) OR
• Range of vegetation/Marram Grass (1) OR
• Undulating shape (1) OR
• Slip face of dune (1) OR
• Fragile / easily eroded (1)

Question 9

Explain one way industry can threaten coastal ecosystems. (3)

Answer 9

• Dumping of industrial waste in the sea can cause water pollution (1) which can affect the biodiversity (1) and disrupt
  food chains (1). OR
• Building ports/infrastructure (1) can result in destruction of coastal environments (1) resulting in the loss of biodiversity (1). OR
• Land reclamation for coastal development (1) can result in the destruction of coastal ecosystems (1) resulting in loss of biodiversity (1).

Question 10

Explain one advantage of using a line graph to present results (3)

Answer 10

(Line graphs) are easy to understand (1) which means connections are easily spotted (1) and anomalies can be identified (1) OR
(Line diagrams) allow patterns to visualized easily (1) and therefore compared to other sites (1) to check if they fit with hypothesis (1).

Question 11

What is abrasion? (1)

Answer 11

Fragments of rock grind against the rock, causing it to wear away.

Question 12

Is salt water a biotic or abiotic factor?

Answer 12

Abiotic

Question 13

Travelling from the backshore of a beach to the low tide area why does the average sediment size decrease - that is why are larger stones found closer to the backshore? [1]

Answer 13

The sediment more exposed to wave action suffer attrition causing them to become smaller and rounder [1]

Question 14

Explain the formation of a spit (4)

Answer 14

Spits are created through a dominant longshore drift along a section of coastline (1) material is deposited and extends the coastline/beach (1)
through constructive waves (1) the build-up of these materials over a long period of time results in spit formation (1).

Question 15

What is attrition? (1)

Answer 15

Rock fragments and pebbles collide into
each other, causing them to become smaller and rounder.

Question 16

In what latitudes can coral survive? (1)

Answer 16

30 degrees north and south of the equator where the temperature is 20 degrees or higher all year round and there is sufficient light. (1)

Question 17

Are minerals and nutrients a biotic or abiotic factor?

Answer 17

Abiotic

Question 18

When researching into a beach why take several samples instead of just one? [2]

Answer 18

• Taking several samples ensures more accurate data is gathered by removing bias [1] OR
• Will help gain a better understanding of the changes to the beach characteristics [1]. OR
• Taking several samples will provide more representative data [1]. OR
• Taking several samples will remove human error [1].

Question 19

How does a coral reef help the local human community? (2)

Answer 19

They are popular sites for tourists to visit, and as such create jobs for many people in the tourist and hospitality industries which means it is important for economies that threats to them are reduced

Question 20

When carrying out primary data research, what are some of the errors that can creep in? (2)

Answer 20

• Equipment errors (1), e.g. faulty or
  uncalibrated equipment
• Operator errors, (1) e.g. misinterpreting the data being recorded
• Issues with the design of the data collection (1) e.g. the location/number of sites (spatial), the time of year (temporal), or the equipment
  chosen.