Key Things I Keep Getting Wrong For Test

Question 1

Describe the process of ammonification and their role within the nitrogen cycle

Answer 1

Ammonification - Bacteria convert nitrogen from dead organisms into ammonia or ammonium

Question 2

Describe the process of Nitrification and its role within the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 2

Nitrification - Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium ions into nitrites then nitrates for plants to be absorbed

Question 3

Describe the process of denitrification and its role within the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 3

Conversion of nitrates back into nitrogen gas by anaerobic denitrifying bacteria

Question 4

Explain how infrared radiation and atmospheric gases interact to maintain earths temperature?

Answer 4

1. Earths surface absorbs sunlight and re-emits energy as infrared radiation
2. Greenhouse gases in atmosphere absorb IR radiation
3. Then re-radiate heat in all directions, including back towards the Earth, which helps maintain the planet’s temperature

Question 5

Describe how he role of the magnetic field in reducing atmospheric loss?

Answer 5

Earths magnetic field deflects charged solar wind particles away from atmosphere

This prevents these particles from stripping away atmospheric gases into space

Question 6

Explain one role of the earths orbital stability in maintaining life-supporting conditions?

Answer 6

Earths orbital stability means its distance from sun stays relatively constant

This prevents extreme temperature fluctuations, maintaining conditions suitable for life

Question 7

Describe how fossil fuel impacts the carbon cycle

Answer 7

Burning fossil fuels releases high amounts of carbon dioxide

This enhances greenhouse effect which contributes to climate change

Increased carbon dioxide can lead to increased photosynthesis but is limited by other factors

Question 8

What is the function of the humus in soil?

Answer 8

Humus is decaying organic matter. The primary function is to release nutrients into the soil

Question 9

What rock formation is when magma cools and solidifies?

Answer 9

Igneous

Question 10

What is the formation process of Igneous rocks?

Answer 10

When magma cools and solidifies

Question 11

What is it when magma cools and solidifies slowly underground?

Answer 11

Intrusive

Question 12

Intrusive rocks form slowly underground. What crystals do they create?

Answer 12

Large crystals

Question 13

What is it called if magma cools and solidifies quickly on the surface?

Answer 13

Extrusive

Question 14

What crystals form with extrusive rocks?

Answer 14

Small crystals

Question 15

What properties are metamorphic rocks usually? How does this affect mining?

Answer 15

Dense and hard. This makes mining difficult but they can contain high purity minerals

Question 16

How are metamorphic rocks formed?

Answer 16

When existing rocks are subjected to high heat and pressure, DO NOT melt but cause physical and chemical changes

Question 17

What rocks are formed when they experience high heat and pressure but no not melt?

Answer 17

Metamorphic rocks

Question 18

What does the O horizon contain and do?

Answer 18

Leaf litter that supplies nutrients to the soil

Question 19

What is in the A horizon and what does it do?

Answer 19

Humus and soil organisms which release nutrients for plant growth through decomposition

Question 20

What is in the B horizon and what does it do?

Answer 20

A subsoil layer where minerals (EG.CLAY AND IRON) leach down and accumulate

This effects water retention and soil aeration

Question 21

Explain how leaching and salinisation affect soil fertility?

Answer 21

Leaching: Water percolates through soil, dissolving and washing away nutrients which reduces nutrient availability for plants

Salinisation: Evaporation of water leaves salts behind. This increases soil salinity which damages roots and reduces plants water uptake

Question 22

Explain what phytmoning?

Answer 22

Plants absorb metals from soil

Plants harvested + burnt

Metals extracted from ash by dissolving in electrolysis

Question 23

What are the environmental benefits of phytomining?

Answer 23

Less energy intensive that smelting

Decontaminates polluted ground

Question 24

What is bio leaching?

Answer 24

Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi produce acids to dissolve metals

Metals are then extracted uses electrolysis

Question 25

How does bio leaching reduce environmental impact?

Answer 25

Less energy intensive that smelting Reduced global warming

Question 26

What is leachate collection?

Answer 26

Draining leachate recirculated through spoil heaps This increases concentration of metal ions in solution

Question 27

How does leachate collection reduce environmental impact?

Answer 27

Use of waste spoil heaps Prevents soil pollution

Question 28

Leachate def

Answer 28

Dirty liquid that form ls when water passes through waste or soil and picks up harmful substances

Question 29

Leachate drainage def

Answer 29

A system or method used to collect and remove dirty liquid to keep environment safe

Question 30

Explain how human activities have contributed to increased levels of tropospheric ozone?

Answer 30

Human activities release nitrogen oxides In the presence of sunlight, these pollutants react to form tropospheric ozone This is a secondary pollutant Increased traffic emissions have intensified this process

Question 31

Describe the role of UV radiation in the formation of ozone in the stratosphere?

Answer 31

UV radiation causes photolysis of oxygen molecules Oxygen atoms react with other O2 molecules to form ozone O3 This process occurs in the stratosphere and helps form the ozone layer, this absorbs harmful Uv

Question 32

Describe the greenhouse effect?

Answer 32

Earth re-emits energy as longwave infrared radiation This is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse hases This process traps heat in the atmosphere

Question 33

Explain how the mineral composition of igneous rocks affects their physical properties and suitability for use as building materials?

Answer 33

Mineral composition determines the hardness and durability Eg. Granite contains quartz which is hard and weather resistant Rocks with softer minerals OR more porous texture are weaker

Question 34

Compare and contrast the formation processes of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks?

Answer 34

Sedimentary rocks form form accumulation of sediments whereas metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks are subjected to heat and pressure without melting Sedimentary rocks are formed nesr the earths surface via deposition whereas metamorphic rocks form deep underground

Question 35

Example of metamorphic rocks?

Answer 35

Slate

Question 36

Example of sedimentary rocks?

Answer 36

Limestone

Question 37

Discuss the environmental impacts of quarrying different types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) on the lithosphere and surrounding ecosystems.

Answer 37

Quarrying igneous rocks causes noise pollution Igneous rocks are hard and slow to break down which causes long-term landscape changes Quarrying sedimentary rocks remove soil layers which reduces land fertility Sedimentary rocks contain fossils so destroys paleontological sites Quarrying metamorphic rocks causes sediment runoff into water bodies which harms aquatic ecosystems

Question 38

Describe how the texture and grain size of sedimentary rocks provide information about their depositional environment

Answer 38

Indicates depositional environment energy Coarse grains indicate high energy environments eg.rivers Fine grains indicate low energy environments eg.ocean floor Well sorted grains suggest consistent energy

Question 39

Explain why contour ploughing reduces soil erosion?

Answer 39

Soil ridges slow down water runoff This prevents soil being washed away downhill

Question 40

Explain how an increase in the turbidity of water in tropical rivers may affect the ecological processes of coral reefs?

Answer 40

Reduced light levels for photosynthesis

Question 41

Give two limitations of using a secchi disk to monitor the turbidity of water

Answer 41

Readings are affected by light intensity Readings are subjective and vary between individuals

Question 42

Outline a plan to collect water samples in the river so the impact of soil erosion in the field on the turbidity of the river water may be assessed

Answer 42

Samples collected upstream and next to lowest point of field Samples collected before and during cultivation activities Sample during range of precipitation Standardised position of sampling sites

Question 43

Two satellites or sensors that monitor ice mass

Answer 43

Grace satellite Gravimeter

Question 44

Explain how ice cover is a negative feedback mechanism

Answer 44

Ice is high albedo When ice expands more sunlight is reflected Cooling leads to more ice formation This lrocess counteracts initial temperature changes

Question 45

Explain how melting land ice is a positive feedback mechanism?

Answer 45

Land ice has high albedo Temperatures rice land ice melts Darker surfaces absorb more radiation This increases warming causes more ice to melt