Some AQA Resource security questions/answers

From the 2021 Assessment exercises

Two points:

a. no figures are included due to copyright issues (they can be downloaded from the AQA website)

b. two of the answers are written by students - the marks awarded are indicated.

Outline how an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) can be used to encourage sustainable resource development. (4)

An EIA is the assessment of the environmental consequences, positive and/or negative, of a proposed resource development project. It aims to ensure that decision-makers use the EIA to consider whether the project should go ahead or not, so as not to cause long-term negative environmental consequences. EIAs have been a legal requirement in the European Union since 1999. A final decision requires a statement that a project is sustainable, in both economic and environmental terms, preferably with an equal weighting.

Assess the relationship between mineral mining sites and rock types shown in Figure 9.  (6)

Figure 9 shows that the area of the Lake District is dominated by two main rock types: the Skiddaw group of metamorphic rocks to the north and the Borrowdale volcanics to the south. These two rock types have the great majority of mineral mining sites. There are few mining sites outside of these two rock types, the main ones being on the Carboniferous rocks.

When you look at the actual minerals themselves, you can see that the majority of copper sites are on the Borrowdale volcanics, and most, but not all, of the lead and zinc deposits are on the Skiddaw rocks. It is fair to say that lead and zinc deposits are the most numerous, and across two different rock types, whereas graphite is only found in one location at Seathwaite.

It can be seen therefore that there is a close link between rock type and mineral mining sites, though where the number of the latter is small, such as for baryte, then the relationship is less clear. Three of the 5 sites are on Skiddaw rocks, whereas the other two are not. Finally, haematite is the only rock that occurs across a wide range of rocks, and it seems to be the case that a western location is more important than the rock type here.

Figure 10a shows the renewable and nuclear energy mix of selected European countries in 2012.

Figure 10b is a relief map of Europe.

Figure 10c shows average annual precipitation.

Using Figures 10a, 10b, 10c and your own knowledge, assess the relationship between energy supply and physical geography. (9)

Student answer

There is a relationship between physical geography and how much energy is supplied from hydropower (HEP). The conditions required for HEP are high rainfall and steep sided valleys in which reservoirs can be created from which HEP is then generated through the dams that hold the water. Austria’s energy mix is dominated by HEP at 63%, explained by its high relief of over 3000m in many places and also very high annual precipitation of between 1000 and 1599mm on average. This illustrates a strong link between physical geography and potential for HEP as steep valleys ensure the rainfall can be stored before it passes through dams. Thus both factors are required for success as shown by the lack of HEP in Spain who despite having high relief like Austria have very little rainfall, only between 1 and 299mm per year.

Physical geography affects the potential for a country’s energy supply to be renewable as the resources it provides are flow resources which can be used continuously. An example of this is geothermal power, where heat from volcanic activity is used to turn water into steam to generate electricity through turbines. Iceland’s energy supply is 100% renewable, with 28% of this from geothermal power due to its position on the mid-Atlantic ridge. This illustrates how physical location affects supply as other countries cannot harness geothermal power if they are not on a plate boundary. This idea is reinforced by the fact that coastal countries have a large potential for wind power as they will experience onshore winds, for example the island of Ireland’s energy mix is 15% wind, 5 times that of the wind supplies in Austria, a landlocked country. Therefore, physical geography is a determining factor in what resources countries have access to meet their energy needs.

Overall, there is a strong relationship between physical geography and energy supply as both a country’s physical location and its local topography and climate affect what resources are available to a country for their energy supply. [Awarded 9]

Evaluate the success of strategies used to reduce the demand for water in achieving long-term sustainability. (9)

The island nation of Singapore has used a variety of strategies to reduce the demand for water to achieve long-term sustainability. In general terms, Singapore plans to shift its water supply from imports from Malaysia, towards water recycling and desalination by 2060. At the same time its population will rise by close to 1 million people but hopes to have reductions in water use per person by 20 litres per day.

There is a potentially a very large benefit of ending use of imported water from Malaysia. In 2016, 40% of Singapore’s water came from this nearby country that could potentially reduce or stop the supply. However, if the relationship is just an economic one, i.e. Singapore pays Malaysia for water, it could be sustainable.

Recycled grey water, as a form of water conservation, has the benefits of using the same water multiple times so reducing demand for new supply. Water conservation is also evident in the aim to reduce per capita daily consumption. In the UK, this is being achieved by more efficient washing machines, dishwashers, and showers. The installation of water meters and dual-flush toilets are also being encouraged which will save on demand, and also cut water bills. These may have the benefit of reducing water bills, as well as preventing increases in water demand. It is also important to reduce water losses from leakage, which add to worries over sustainability. Southern Water in the UK say they lose over 80 million litres a day from pipe leakages.

Back in Singapore, the shift to 30% of water from desalination has the benefit that Singapore will control this water supply, rather than Malaysia controlling it. However, desalination has costs. It is expensive to build the plants, and these need a large energy source such as oil or natural gas to run. This means desalination is usually not eco-friendly and has high greenhouse gas emissions. However, it does ensure water security, if the sustainability credentials are doubtful.

Overall, by 2060 Singapore will have the significant benefit of being much more water secure. However, this could come at the economic costs of higher water bills and some environmental costs from desalination. Achieving long-term sustainability may be more difficult to achieve, depending on your definition of sustainability.

‘The environmental impacts of ore extraction will always be greater than that of water supply schemes’

With reference to a major ore extraction scheme and a major water supply scheme, assess the extent to which you agree with this statement? (20)

Student answer

Environmental impacts of ore extraction are often more damaging than that of water supply schemes. This is due to the contamination of pollution with water supplies in countries. An example of this is the Lumwana coper mine in the north of Zambia. To contrast this, water supply schemes, such as the Aswan Dam in Egypt, can also have detrimental environmental impacts that threaten water security and potentially food security.

The Lumwana copper mine was opened in 2010 to meet the increasing global demands for copper in developing countries, such as China. In order for the mine to open the owners of the mining company – Barrick (a Canadian company) had to complete an environmental impact assessment (EIA). This helped minimise the potential environmental impact of the copper mine. However, there are still threats to the environment. These include contamination of water supplies with uranium. This is because of small uranium deposits found amongst the supply of copper. Due to the highly radioactive nature of uranium, any leakages of it to the water supply system could be seriously hazardous. Especially since the idea of Friedman’s core-periphery model is in effect surrounding Lumwana. Leaks of uranium into the water supply could impact the city closest to Lumwana where there has been large infrastructure developments. As well as this, transportation of copper causes high amounts of pollution as there are not yet highways to and from the major exporting points near Lumwana. Overall, environmental impacts of copper extraction have the potential to be very serious. However, the EIA taken by Barrick has meant that there have not been any serious environmental impacts.

The Aswan Dam crosses the River Nile and is Egypt’s main water source. The dam was built in the late 1900s. Initially, the environmental impacts were severe to the residents to the south of the dam. This was due to the high amount of subsistence farming that takes place. The dam drowned many homes of residents. However, the resulting impacts of the dam was much more positive. The dam enabled Egypt to prevent absolute water scarcity and with management of water usage the environment to the north of the dam could flourish. It also enabled food security because the management of water usage meant that farming practices could continue.

Overall, this statement is true. However, the Lumwana mine has not yet encountered any serious environmental impacts. The potential impacts of environmental damage are much more severe for copper extraction in comparison to the Aswan Dam water supply scheme. Yet the Aswan Dam has already encountered some environmental damage. However, this can be considered to be miniscule in comparison with the potential impacts of copper extraction on the environment. (446)

Awarded top Level 3 – 15 marks