Coasts past papers 61-80

Question 1

Identify the best definition of a sand bar found on a coast. (1)
A outcrop of chalk and limestone in a bay
B a spit that has continued to grow across a bay
C a spit that ends in a rock arch
D a platform formed by waves eroding a cliff

Answer 1

B a spit that has continued to grow across a bay (1)

Question 2

Explain one advantage of random sampling when researching beach sediment (2)

Answer 2

Random sampling of beach sediment increases the chance of selecting a range of sediment to analyse [1] which will help understand how bedload changes along the coast.

Question 3

Explain the process of beach formation. (4)

Answer 3

• Low long constructive waves have a strong swash (1) this carries material up the beach (1) where it is deposited (1) because the backwash isn’t as strong (1). OR
• Material from eroded Coasts/sand/shingle (1) carried
  by waves (1) deposited on a beach shore (1) and remains due to weak backwash (1).

Question 4

Are annotated photographs a qualitative or quantitative source of data? (1)

Answer 4

Qualitative

Question 5

Explain why sediment size decreases along the coastline - sediment at the top of the beach being bigger than sediment closer to the low tide area? [1]

Answer 5

Sediment at the top of the beach are not eroded by the water as much as sediment closer to the low water mark [1]

Question 6

What are some of the human threats to coral reefs (2)

Answer 6

agriculture (1) OR
road construction (1) OR
oil and chemical spills (1) OR
deforestation (1) OR
coastal developments (1) OR
chemicals from sunscreens (1) OR
leakages from septic tanks (1)

Question 7

When carrying out field research why is it good practice to take at least 3 readings? [1]

Answer 7

• To reduce the effect of human error (not taking the reading correctly) [1]
• To reduce the effect of instrument error (machine not taking a correct reading the first time) [1]

Question 8

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

Answer 8

• Increased number of tourists walking on sand dunes (1) can damage structure (1) and prevent succession (1). OR
• Tourists can leave litter behind (1) which can damage natural habitats (1) and discourage wildlife (1). OR
• Tourist boats visiting coral reefs cause water pollution (1) which can kill some wildlife (1) and reduce biodiversity (1).

Question 9

Describe one health and safety risk it is important to be aware of when
carrying out fieldwork in a coastal environment. (2)

Answer 9

• Slipping on rocks (1) as it could lead to injury (1). OR
• Falling in the sea (1) as this could lead to damaged equipment (1).
• Lack of awareness of tides (1) leading to being cut off from the beach (1).
• Danger from falling rocks (1) leading to injuries (1).
• Large waves (1) knocking people down (1).
• Awareness of members of the public (1) safeguarding (1).

Question 10

Provide one benefit mangrove ecosystems bring to coastal communities (1)

Answer 10

• Nursery areas for small fish and marine invertebrates – food
  source as well as sea defense. (1) OR
• Many coastal communities depend on fish as a main food source. (1) OR
• Coastal areas provide areas where trade can take place with other countries

Question 11

Identify one possible disadvantage of using secondary data sources. (1)

Answer 11

• The data could be inaccurate (1) OR
• The data could be out of date (1) OR
• The data could be for a different location (river data is useless when looking at coasts) (1)

Question 12

Explain how hard engineering like using groynes is used in coastal management. (1)

Answer 12

Groynes prevent movement of sand down the coastline (1).

Question 13

Explain one type of mechanical weathering that occurs at the coast. (2)

Answer 13

• Freeze thaw (1) moisture in rock surfaces freezes and expands causing rock to break off (1) OR
• Chemical weathering (1)
  Rainwater and seawater can be a weak acid. Rocks can become dissolved by the acid in the water. (1)

Question 14

Explain the causes of coastal flooding. (4)

Answer 14

Where coastline is low lying land it is susceptible to coastal flooding (1). Monsoon can lead to strong storms over the Bay of Bengal for example (1) which can cause storm surges (1) which cause coastlines to be overwhelmed (1). OR
Earthquakes can cause tsunami waves (1) which grow in height near the shore (1) which can breach defences (1) overwhelming large areas (1).

Question 15

What is a disadvantage of using a range pole? [1]. What is the result? [1]

Answer 15

One issue is that the range pole may not be vertical [1] . This can result in an inaccurate reading [1].

Question 16

Explain one way to reduce the impact of coastal flooding (2)

Answer 16

Building hard engineering strategies (sea walls) can reduce the energy/power of the waves (1) which can prevent damage to buildings (1). OR
Building designs such as being built on raised stilts (1) so they are above the level floods usually reach (1). OR
Using forecasting technologies (1) to be able to predict when coastal flooding will happen and evacuate before the event hits (1).

Question 17

What is solution erosion? (1)

Answer 17

Rocks that are more susceptible to the
weak acidity of the seawater are dissolved
and carried away.

Question 18

Are marine fish biotic or abiotic factors?

Answer 18

Biotic

Question 19

What is one advantage and disadvantage of using groynes as a coastal management system? (2)

Answer 19

Groynes are effective at breaking the waves, absorbing their energy, and therefore protecting the coast. (1)
They also allow the beach to build up which can be an attraction for tourists. (1)
However, by trapping the sand they starve areas of the coastline further down which can lead to increased erosion in other areas. (1)

Question 20

When investigating sediment size on a beach what negative effect could groynes have? [1]

Answer 20

Groynes interrupt the natural process of sediment movement so the sediment collected may not be representative [1].