Human impacts and pollution — AS & A Level Marine Science (9693) questions by topic
Pollution questions in Marine Science range from Arctic sea-ice decline linked to warming, through antifouling paint chemistry and the heavy metals it leaves in coastal sediment, to oil-tanker groundings near coral reefs and the rise of microplastics in the water column, worth anything from 6 to 19 marks.
Suggest, explain, calculate, describe and predict are the commands to watch: suggest wants a plausible mechanism, predict wants a trend beyond the data given, and calculate demands a correct, working-shown figure rather than a description. This page holds 16 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, and submitting answers for instant marking flags where a described cause is missing the specific pollutant or process examiners are looking for.
May–June 2025, Paper 41
Fig. 6.1 shows a photograph of a ship's rudder and propeller covered in barnacles. Antifouling paints are often used to prevent barnacle larvae settling on boats. Outline why many…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
In 2010, the total global output of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels was estimated to be 33 000 000 000 kg. Some scientists have suggested that by 2030 the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 43
In 2010, the total global output of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels was estimated to be 33 000 000 000 kg. Some scientists have suggested that by 2030 the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 31
The amount of microplastic in the marine environment has increased significantly in recent decades. Explain why microplastics have increased in the marine environment.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 32
The amount of microplastic in the marine environment has increased significantly in recent decades. Explain why microplastics have increased in the marine environment.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 33
The amount of microplastic in the marine environment has increased significantly in recent decades. Explain why microplastics have increased in the marine environment.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 41
Fig. 4.1 shows a female green sea turtle returning to the sea after laying eggs in a nest. Conservationists are concerned that global warming could lead to a reduction in…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 42
Fig. 4.1 shows a female green sea turtle returning to the sea after laying eggs in a nest. Conservationists are concerned that global warming could lead to a reduction in…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 43
Fig. 4.1 shows a female green sea turtle returning to the sea after laying eggs in a nest. Conservationists are concerned that global warming could lead to a reduction in…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 41
Describe how microplastics are formed.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 31
In August 2020, a ship ran aground and spilled approximately 1000 tonnes of oil near the coast of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The oil formed a slick on the surface of the sea.…
Answer this question and get it marked →Scientists are concerned about changes to the Arctic Ocean as a result of climate change. Fig. 3.1 shows the extent of sea ice in the Arctic in 1979 and in 2012. Describe the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 32
In July 2020, an oil tanker ran aground on coral reefs just off the coast of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The ship began leaking oil and broke apart in August. The site is close…
Answer this question and get it marked →One effect of increasing global temperatures can be seen in the Arctic. Sea ice covers part of the Arctic. The area of sea ice increases to a maximum during the Arctic winter, and…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 33
In July 2020, an oil tanker ran aground on coral reefs just off the coast of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The ship began leaking oil and broke apart in August. The site is close…
Answer this question and get it marked →One effect of increasing global temperatures can be seen in the Arctic. Sea ice covers part of the Arctic. The area of sea ice increases to a maximum during the Arctic winter, and…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Marine Science topics
- Marine organisms and physiology (58)
- Water and physical oceanography (43)
- Mangroves and coastal ecosystems (37)
- Marine ecosystems and energy flow (36)
- Investigative skills (28)
- Fisheries and mariculture (26)
- Aquaculture (21)
- Classification and biodiversity (14)
- Coral reefs (14)
- Earth structure and plate tectonics (12)
- Conservation and management (11)