The Lithosphere
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Describe the igneous processes that can cause the formation of metal ores around batholith.(2)
Hydrothermal/hot solutions; cooling/freezing out/coming out of solution/crystallisation/separation; in vein; magmatic segregation; crystal/mineral density/melting point; contact metasomatism; mineral/rock replacement; named mineral/ore;
Describe how future mineral supplies can be increased by better exploration techniques.(2)
remote sensing monitoring from a distance/aerial/satellite surveys gravimetry density/force of gravity/igneous ores/named dense mineral scintillometry/Geiger counter radioactivity/named radioactive material magnetometry magnetic materials/magnetite/pyrrhotite/ilmenite/other named example resistivity ease of passage of electricity/metal ores/named ore seismic/sonar reflected/vibrations IR emission analysis of different wave lengths
Explain the difference in the meanings of ‘resource’ and ‘reserve’. (2)
Resource amount present/that can theoretically be exploited; reserve amount that can be exploited economically now/with existing technology;
Explain why the chemical form of a metal ore may affect the viability of exploitation. (2)
Named ore/mineral/metal; qualified ease of (chemical) separation/bond breaking; ref to reactivity;
Outline a technique that can be used to exploit low-grade ores. (2)
acid added dissolves precipitation/displacement named chemical added eg Fe to displace Cu electrolysis ion deposition/electrode ion substitution named (ion) exchange material eg resin open-cast mining economies of scale
Explain the meaning of the term ‘cut-off ore grade’. (2)
Lowest grade; that can be economically exploited;
Describe the effect that increased mechanisation has had on the amount of metal ore that can be mined. (2)
Increased amount; deeper mining; less labour intensive; lower production/extraction costs/increased profit/more can be spent on mining
Describe how the typical pH of drainage water from the mine may be measured. (3)
Large sample numbers/long time period/regular samples/sample location; pH meter; calibration;
Describe how the organic matter content of a soil sample may be estimated. (4)
Dry soil; weigh sample (of dry soil afterwards); heat to approx 500 °C/with Bunsen burner; burn off/oxidise organic matter; re-weigh (burnt soil); constant mass; mass difference = OM content (dry – burnt); calculate OM as a percent of dry soil;
Suggest how bacteria in the soil may affect its fertility. (4)
Nitrogen fixation; root nodules; nitrification; dentrification; decomposition; nutrients released; named nutrient (released);; humification; weathering; respiration; pH change/organic acids produced; toxin production; named bacterial taxa eg Rhizobium, Nitrobacter, Nitrosomonas, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, Nostoc;;
Outline how topography may affect the suitability of a site for reservoir construction. (2)
valley shape, steep sides, narrow exit for dam effect on volume, evaporation rate, land loss
Outline how geology may affect the suitability of a site for reservoir construction.(2)
permeability speed of flow into/out of bedrock stability/seismic activity/faults collapse risk stability/strength subsidence risk
Outline two features of the overburden above the mineral that can affect the viability of the mine. (4)
hard difficulty mining loose, uncompacted landslides, more removed deep increased cost permeable drainage problems chemical composition pollution risk
Outline two methods of reducing environmental problems caused by mine machinery. (4)
water sprays for dust settling baffle mounds/trees for noise absorption/deflection timing/routing of traffic avoid sensitive times/areas choice of quieter transport method rail replaces lorries change of fuel to reduce spillage problems (biofuel) biodegradable
One method used in spoil heap reclamation is the addition of soil followed by tree planting. The soil must have the right texture to reduce the risk of soil erosion. Outline a method used to estimate the proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample. (2)
Add water and suspend/shake; allow to settle; measure proportions;
Suggest two ways in which exploiting low grade ores may cause increased environmental damage. (4)
Increased quantity that must be mined; increased land take; increased waste production; named problem caused by waste; increased energy use; named problem of energy use;
Use an example to outline how material substitution can be used to conserve finite resources.(2)
biodiesel replaces fossil fuels renewable
Describe how better exploratory techniques can be used to increase the proven reserves of minerals. (4)
remote sensing/airborne surveys gravimetry scintillometry magnetometry resistivity
A student planned a practical activity to determine the organic matter content of the soil in a field. Describe a sample collection procedure which would ensure that the samples were representative of the whole field. (3)
Random/systematic/stratified sampling; how sampling sites are located; eg grid/random numbers number of samples; sample size; depth of samples; timing of samples; standardised collection method; explanation of why samples are representative;
Describe how the organic matter content of a dry soil sample could be measured. (3)
Weigh; heat to high temperature/500−800°C/use Bunsen burner; burn off/oxidise organic matter; constant mass; calculate mass drop/difference/percentage
Soil organisms play important roles in the nitrogen cycle. Describe a method used to extract detritivores from soil.(3)
measured area; measured depth; dig up soil; hand sort/count worms;
Outline methods, other than revegetation, that can be used to stabilise mine spoil heaps. (4)
landscaping/reduced slope angle/regraded/flatten out/spread runoff slower/shearing reduced organic matter incorporated soil particle cohesion increased/stick together addition of fertiliser/nutrients/lime/pH control increased growth/root binding compaction increased cohesion/lower water content/soil particles stick together drainage control/terracing/runoff collection/redirection reduced lubrication/saturation/soil mass toe foot support/retaining wall barrier to movement/reduces shearing (stress)/prevents basal erosion ground anchors/piles/poles and net/mesh holds spoil together/allows plants to grow through
Describe how a Tüllgren funnel may be used to extract small invertebrates from a soil sample. (4)
Soil sample in middle/lower container/above funnel/below light; light/heat; time; organisms repelled/move away (from light/heat); [R movement due to gravity] through grill/mesh/filter/seive; collected (in container); preservative/named preservative; named taxon;
Explain why some soil invertebrates cannot be extracted using a Tüllgren funnel. (2)
Not mobile/too slow; too large/big to pass through holes/grill/mesh/filter;