A level 2021

Question 1

Outline the relationship between the water cycle and the carbon cycle in the atmosphere. (4 marks)

Answer 1

• Increasing concentrations of carbon in the atmosphere has a warming effect and leads to more evaporation.
• This can increase rates of precipitation
• Photosynthesis needs both precipitation and carbon dioxide
• Decomposition releases carbon dioxide and requires water. (e.g. melting of permafrost, contributes to CO2 release)

Question 2

Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. (6 marks)

Answer 2

• P - Afforestation leads to a reduction in land surface temperature.
• E - The most extreme temperature decreases where temperatures fall by 1.7 degree Celsius at latitudes -25 degree South and reduction in 50-70% surface cover.
• D - Between 55 and 75 degrees Celsius North, deforestation leads to temperature decrease at 45 degrees Celsius, 70% decrease in forest.
• A - An anomaly is at 5 degrees South, 10-30% afforestation leads to a small temperature increase.
• L - Another pattern is the increasing deforestation leads to higher land surface temperatures up to 1.7 degrees Celsius between 15 degrees North and 15 degrees South

Question 3

Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the implications of the data for attempts to manage carbon transfers. (6 marks)

Answer 3

AO1:
* Major stores of carbon (e.g. lithosphere)
* Factors affecting stores (e.g. photosynthesis)
* Changes to the carbon cycle: natural variation (e.g. wild fires) and human impact (e.g. deforestation)
* Carbon budget and impact of carbon cycle on land, ocean and atmosphere
* Human intervention

AO2:
* Management should control release of carbon from forests and uptake of carbon by expanding forests and photosynthesis
* Data shows that European forests absorb more carbon. Most carbon released from fossil fuels.
* Carbon sequestration to control carbon released from decomposition

Question 4

With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential factors which can impact upon the flood hydrograph. (20 marks)

Introduction

Answer 4

The River Eden is in the north-west England

Question 5

With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential factors which can impact upon the flood hydrograph. (20 marks)

1st para

Answer 5

• Trees cut down, less interception by trees, increasing surface runoff. Increases peak discharge and makes hydrograph ‘flashier’
• Conversion to crop land/pasture decreases infiltration, increase river discharge, less plants so less transpiration, decreases precipitation

Question 6

With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential factors which can impact upon the flood hydrograph. (20 marks)

2nd para

Answer 6

• Less interception as fewer trees in cities, less vegetation storage and evaporation lose, no trees to slow down water
• Impermeable surfaces prevent infiltration and percolation, reduce soil storage, increase surface runoff/discharge, raises flood risk
• Urbanisation on the drainage basin, reduce lag time and increase risk of flooding

Question 7

With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential factors which can impact upon the flood hydrograph. (20 marks)

3rd para

Answer 7

• Human activity helps the drainage basin
• Flood risk in the basin to decrease

Question 8

With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential factors which can impact upon the flood hydrograph. (20 marks)

Conclusion

Answer 8

• Urban and deforestation changes the stores of water, impacts exacerbated by human factors
• Human activity can decrease flooding

Question 9

Outline the role of waves in the transportation of sediments at the coast. (4 marks)

Answer 9

• Constructive waves bring sediment on to the beach/onshore.
• Due to low frequency, height and backwash.
• Destructive waves remove sediment from beaches and coastlines.
• Powerful backwash, higher frequency, greater wave height.

Question 10

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5. (6 marks)

Answer 10

• P - Picture is mixed across the European coastlines.
• E - Large area experiencing accretion in northern Europe
• D - Exposed coastlines are eroding, pattern is not clear. Evidence in west coast of Ireland and Portugal
• A - Jutland peninsula is unclear (more accretion than erosion)
• L - The Mediterranean coastlines are eroding/stable with small accretion in Northern Italy

Question 11

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of factors leading to the development of this lanform. (6 marks)

Answer 11

AO1:
* Systems
* Origin and development of landforms of coastal deposition (e.g. beaches)
* Estuarine mudflat/saltmarsh
* Weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition
* Coastal process (e.g. traction)

AO2:
* Photo shows Spurn Head spit
* Sediment from the boulder clay of the Holderness coastline. Longshore drift changes direction of coastline to push sediment in the Humber estuary.
* Recurved head formed due to wave refraction