Topic 3 - Inter-relationships: Human Activity And The Environment

Question 1

Name three pollutants that are increasing with the increasing human population.

Answer 1

E.g. phosphates, nitrates and sulfur dioxide.

Question 2

Describe an experiment to show the effects of pollutants on plant growth.

Answer 2

E.g. set up a control jam jar with 20 cress seeds sitting on cotton wool soaked in water. Set up a second jam jar in the same way but soak the cotton wool in a solution of pollutant rather than water. Seal the jars and compare the length of the shoots in each jar after 5-7 days.

Question 3

What is eutrophication?

Answer 3

E.g. eutrophication is a cycle of ‘mega-growth’, ‘mega-death’ and ‘mega-decay’ involving the plant and animal life in the water. It’s caused when fertiliser containing nitrates gets into rivers, lakes and seas.

Question 4

Which pollutant causes acid rain?

Answer 4

Sulfur dioxide