Every year very large quantities of plastic packaging are thrown away carelessly as litter, and much of it is carried by rivers down to the sea. A great dea...
Question 1 Report
Every year very large quantities of plastic packaging are thrown away carelessly as litter, and much of it is carried by rivers down to the sea. A great deal of plastic waste is non-biodegradable, which means it is not broken down by microorganisms and so stays in the environment for a very long time. Over many years the plastic is gradually broken into tiny pieces called microplastics. Once in the sea these pieces can be taken up by living things and passed along food chains. A student was given a flow diagram showing one route by which microplastics can reach people.
(a) Define the term non-biodegradable. [2]
(b) State two ways in which floating plastic waste can directly harm marine animals such as turtles and seabirds. [2]
(c) Using the flow diagram, describe how microplastics could pass from the sea into the body of a human. [3]
(d) Suggest two ways in which people could reduce plastic pollution of the sea. [2]
Answer Details
This question is about non-biodegradable plastic, its harm to marine life, and how microplastics reach people along a food chain.
- Define non-biodegradable [2]. A substance that cannot be broken down [1] by decomposers / microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi [1], so it stays in the environment for a very long time.
- Two ways floating plastic harms animals [2]. It can entangle or trap the animal [1]; and the animal may eat the plastic, which blocks or damages its gut or causes choking [1]. Max 2.
- How microplastics reach a human [3]. Following the flow diagram: small marine animals (plankton) take in the microplastics [1]; these plankton are eaten by fish and shellfish [1]; people then eat the fish or shellfish, so the microplastics pass along the food chain into the body [1].
- Two ways to reduce plastic pollution [2]. Reduce the amount of plastic used or reuse plastic items [1]; recycle plastic, dispose of it properly, or use biodegradable alternatives [1]. Max 2.
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