Summary and Exam Tips for Pollution
Pollution is a subtopic of Human Influences on Ecosystems, which falls under the subject Biology in the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. Pollution involves the introduction of harmful substances, known as pollutants, into the environment, making it unfit for life. While some pollution sources are natural, such as volcanic eruptions, most result from human activities. Untreated sewage and excess fertilizers lead to eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems, causing algal blooms, reduced oxygen levels, and death of aquatic life. Non-biodegradable plastics harm both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by releasing toxins and entering food chains. Air pollution from methane and carbon dioxide contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect, leading to climate change. This results in rising temperatures, melting ice caps, extreme weather, and loss of biodiversity. Understanding these processes and their impacts is crucial for addressing pollution effectively.
Exam Tips
- Use Specific Terms: Always use specific Biology terms like eutrophication, greenhouse gases, and pollutants in your answers.
- Understand the Question: Differentiate between 'what' and 'why' questions to provide accurate responses.
- Mark Allocation: Let the number of marks guide the depth of your answer. More marks usually mean more detailed explanations are needed.
- Avoid Vague Language: Avoid using vague terms like "it" or "they" without clear references.
- Practice Questions: Regularly practice past questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types.
