| Date | May 2021 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 21M.1.SL.TZ0.4 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 4 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Figure 6(b): Total annual sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions from smelting factories in Norilsk
The significant increase in emissions in the early 1980s is related to the opening of the third smelter, Nadezhda, in 1979.
[Source: Nyland, K., Shiklomanov, N. & Streletskiy, D., 2017. Climatic- and anthropogenic-induced land cover change around Norilsk, Russia. Polar Geography, 40:4, 257–272, DOI: 10.1080/1088937X.2017.1370503.]
Figure 6(c): Vegetation damage associated with smelting factories in Norilsk
[Source: Adapted from AMAP, 2007. Vegetation damage zones around Norilsk. [online] Available at: https://www.amap.no/documents/doc/vegetation-damage-zones-around-norilsk/647 [accessed 26 February 2019].]
With reference to Figure 6(b), identify one strategy that might have been used to achieve the trend in sulphur dioxide emissions since the early 1980s.
Explain the distribution of vegetation damage shown in Figure 6(c).
Markscheme
introduction of scrubbers / use of pollution reduction equipment / reduced use of smelters / cleaner energy source / stricter legislation on emissions / use of a lower-sulphur ore/coal;
Do not accept ‘opening of third/new smelter’.
Do not accept ‘closure of smelters / control/limit number of smelters’.
Do not accept ‘only reduction in mining activity’.
Do not accept use of ‘catalytic converters’.
Do not accept only ‘a reduction in use of fossil fuels’.
prevailing/NW winds carry pollutants / winds drive acid deposition/particulates towards SE;
dilution effect of pollutants by wind / concentration of particulates declines with distance away from the source;
acid deposition declines with distance away from the source / acid deposition is greatest near the source of pollution;
higher concentration of pollutants corresponds to a greater level of damage;
transport/deposition rates dependent on nature of particulates;
different pollutants produce different damaging effects;
wind is funnelled along valleys (indicated by lakes)…;
…therefore pollutants carried along valleys…;
water in rivers/lakes spreads the pollutants;
Do not credit descriptions of the vegetation damage.
Examiners report
Many candidates incorrectly answered this question. Some candidates did not consider the overall trend since the 1980s through to 2015 as illustrated within Figure 6b and incorrectly gave a reason for an increase in sulphur dioxide levels (e.g. the opening of the third smelter). Some inappropriately linked the reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions to the use of catalytic converters in cars.
Overall this question was poorly answered by many candidates with most describing the vegetation damage illustrated in Figure 6(c), rather than explaining the reasons for the variation in damage observed. Many responses did not link the vegetation damage to the release of pollutants from the smelting factories in Norilsk or how these pollutants may be dispersed in the environment.
