The photograph shows a lake which has been polluted by excess nutrients - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 2 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 2
The photograph shows a lake which has been polluted by excess nutrients.
(a) (i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
The bu... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The photograph shows a lake which has been polluted by excess nutrients - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 2 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
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Answer
The correct answer is B: eutrophication. Eutrophication refers to the process where excess nutrients, often from fertilizers, lead to an increase in plant growth and decay in aquatic environments.
Step 2
(ii) Suggest how farming can lead to a build-up of nutrients in the lake.
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Answer
Farming can lead to a build-up of nutrients in the lake through several mechanisms. First, the overuse of nitrogen-rich fertilizers can result in runoff that carries these nutrients into water bodies during rain events. Additionally, leaching of nitrates from the soil can occur, where dissolved nutrients flow into nearby lakes and rivers. Other potential contributions include sewage leakage and the washing of agricultural waste into the aquatic environment.