SST201 SEP Solutions - Specimen Paper Solution PDF

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SST201e Copyright © 2016 SIM University Page 1 of 8SST201eSpecimen Examination PaperSustainable Society Through InnovativeTechnology______________________________________________________________________Time allowed: 2 hours SolutionsSST201e Copyright © 2016 SIM University Page 2 of 8The purpose of t...

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SST201e Specimen Examination Paper

Sustainable Society Through Innovative Technology ______________________________________________________________________ Time allowed: 2 hours ______________________________________________________________________

Solutions

SST201e Copyright © 2016 SIM University Specimen Examination Paper

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The purpose of this specimen exam paper is to give you an idea of the question types and range / depth of answers required. It is not intended to be a model answer and does not cover the entire syllabus in detail within a 2-hour examination. You should refer to the learning outcomes in your course and study guides for a comprehensive coverage of the syllabus in SST201e Sustainable Society Through Innovative Technology. ______________________________________________________________________ Suggested Answers Question 1 Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate answer. (a)

The three pillars of sustainability are human wellbeing, environmental wellbeing and economic wellbeing. (6 marks)

(b)

Coal, oil and gas are collectively known as fossil fuels. (2 marks)

(c)

Stewardship is the ethic that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources in the environment. (2 marks)

(d)

Two most commonly used technologies in desalination are reverse osmosis and distillation. (4 marks) (If there is an equivalent and correct answer, it would also be accepted. For example, you could use microfiltration in place of reverse osmosis or vice versa.)

(e)

Chemicals in the environment that mimic the body’s hormones and cause health problems are called endocrine disruptors. (2 marks)

(f)

The sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted from the burning of fossil fuels react with water in the atmosphere to form acids. (4 marks) (Spelling is important! You won’t get the full marks if your spelling is wrong. The exception is when there are two accepted forms of spelling, e.g. sulphur and sulfur. In such cases, either spelling would be accepted.)

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Question 2 (a)

Compare and contrast the following pairs of terms. (i)

and (8 marks) Weather is the way the atmosphere is behaving, mainly with respect to its effects upon life and human activities. Weather is expressed in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure. Climate is the description of the average long-term (about 30 years) pattern of weather of a particular area. While weather and climate are intertwined, they are different in that weather reflects the short-term (minutes to months) conditions of the atmosphere while climate is how the atmosphere behaves over relatively long periods of time. Hence, the difference between weather and climate is a measure of time.

(ii)

and (8 marks) Hazard is the potential to cause harm, damage to property or destruction to the environment. Risk is the likelihood of harm in defined circumstances. Potassium dichromate is a hazardous substance that is toxic and carcinogenic. But if used and managed as prescribed, it presents little or no risk to people or the environment. On the other hand, something as innocuous as flour may not be considered hazardous. But if a person is exposed to it for a long time, he could develop dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis or asthma. Risk and hazard are related as such: Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability

(iii)

and (8 marks) Sustainability refers to a system or process that can be continued indefinitely, without depleting any of the material or energy resources required to keep it running. For example, trees, fish and other biological species normally grow and reproduce at rates faster than required just to keep their populations stable. As long as the number harvested stays within the capacity of the population to row and replace itself, the process is sustainable.

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A renewable resource is a natural resource which can be replenished through biological reproduction or other naturally recurring processes in a finite amount of time. These renewable resources include water that is regenerated by the water cycle, and energies derived from solar, hydro, geothermal and wind. Renewable resources may be sustainable, for example water when used properly can be sustainable. But when freshwater is heavily polluted or withdrawn faster than can be replenished, its use become unsustainable. (For Question 2(a), you are required to compare and contrast two terms. These two terms can be from the same topic or from different topics or even different study units. Essentially, you have to identify the similarities and differences between the two terms and identify how they are connected. In the examples above, you will see that you should write something about each term, and then show they are related with examples.)

(b)

Examine the distribution of global energy consumption in Figure Q2(b) and answer the following questions: (i)

Discuss the (5 marks) Fossil fuels are derived from the remains of living organisms. About 100500 million years ago, freshwater swamps and shallow seas, which supported abundant vegetation and phytoplankton covered most of the globe. Anaerobic conditions in the lowest layers of these bodies of water impeded the breakdown of detritus by decomposers. As a result, massive quantities of dead organic matter accumulated. Over millions of years, this organic matter was gradually buried under layers of sediment and converted by pressure and heat to coal, crude oil and gas.

(ii)

Apply the understanding of renewable resources to (3 marks) While additional fossil fuels may still be forming through natural processes to this day, they cannot be considered renewable resources. Reason being that it takes thousands of years to form fossil fuels, and we are using them faster than they can be formed. Fossil fuels are thus considered finite and are not renewable. (This part is awarded only 3 marks – hence your answer need only be straightforward and short.)

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(iii)

. (8 marks) Each of the renewable energy sources has their own drawbacks (as do the use of fossil fuels).  Hydropower: The reservoirs and dam inevitably destroys farmland or wildlife habitats, displace rural populations, impede or prevent fish migration, and wreak havoc downstream.  Wind power: Wind is an intermittent source, so it presents problems of backup and storage. A wind farm is visually unappealing, and wind turbines can be hazardous to birds and bats.  Solar: The available technologies are still more expensive than conventional energy sources. Solar energy is available only in the day, and is unevenly distributed, hence there are problems with collection and storage.  Biofuels: Planting of crops for fuels removes important agricultural land, and drives up food process. 

Geothermal: Infrastructure to capture geothermal energy can be expensive to set up and only works in areas of volcanic activity. Geothermal and volcanic activity might calm down, leaving power stations redundant, and dangerous elements found underground must be disposed of carefully.

Figure Q2(b) Global Energy Consumption in 2013

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Question 3 (b)

Debate the positive and negative impacts of the

. (10 marks)

Positive Impacts • Able to grow crops on a massive scale. • Makes plants that are resistant to pesticides. • Farmers can grow and export cash crops for profit. • Jobs opportunities are created in the agricultural and industrial sector. • Decreased amount of human labor. Negative Impacts • Contributes to food scarcity as staple food crops are being replaced by cash crops to be exported. • By constantly replanting crops without restoring soil health means that more fertilizer is required to keep the nutrient in the soil and replenish it. • Cost of industrial farming equipment is expensive for small farmers. • Has a negative effects on crop production because of soil degradation and the loss in production of fruits, vegetables and pulses. While the Green Revolution did much to alleviate hunger in most of the developing countries, it did leave environmental impacts in terms of pollution and groundwater withdrawal. Given the substantial population growth, such a revolution was perhaps necessary to stave off hunger. Nonetheless, there is a need to consider a new type of revolution in which there is greater productivity with less use of fertilizers and pesticides, while using less resources and causing less land degradation. (In this question, you are required ‘debate’, or to weigh the pros and cons of the Green Revolution. The points above are just facts. Depending on the topic asked, you should give a closing stand or judgment based on scientific observations and rationalizations for the final mark.) (a)

Describe the

that will best fulfil the needs of plants. (10 marks)

The ability of a soil to support plant growth is known as soil fertility. Soil fertility refers specifically to: 

Nutrient-holding capacity: This property is the soil’s capacity to bind and hold nutrients such as phosphate, potassium, calcium and other ions until they are absorbed by roots. These nutrients could come from weathering of rocks or from application of organic or inorganic fertilizers.



Water-holding capacity: Water is resupplied to the soil naturally by rainfall or artificially by irrigation. Three significant attributes of soil are: − the ability of the soil to allow water to infiltrate (or soak in). If water runs off the ground surface, it won’t be useful to the plant;

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− the ability of the soil to hold water after it infiltrates – or water-holding capacity. Poor water holding capacity implies that most of the infiltrating water percolates on down below the reach of roots, becoming inaccessible and useless to the plants; and − the ability to minimize evaporative water loss. The humus which covers the top of the soil is important in reducing evaporative water loss, thus preventing the depletion of the soil’s water reservoir for plants. 

Aeration: The soil must be loose and porous enough to allow the diffusion of oxygen into, and carbon dioxide out of, the soil.



Relative Acidity (pH): While different plants are adapted to different pH ranges, most do best with a pH near neutral.

Question 4 (a)

Discuss any environment.

of

on human health and the (15 marks)













(b)

Heavy metals from industrial processes can accumulate in nearby lakes and rivers. These are toxic to marine life such as fish and shellfish, and can affect the rest of the food chain through bioaccumulation. Industrial waste often contains many toxic compounds that damage the health of aquatic animals and those who eat them. Some toxins affect the reproductive success of marine life and can therefore disrupt the community structure of an aquatic environment. Pathogens (bacteria, viruses and parasitic organisms) from sewage often result in infectious diseases that infect aquatic life and terrestrial life through drinking water. Organic matter and nutrients (such as phosphorus and nitrogen) cause an increase in aerobic algae and depletes oxygen from the water column. This eutrophication leads to suffocation of fish and other aquatic organisms. Sulfate particles from acid rain change the pH of water making it more acidic, thereby damaging the health of marine life in the rivers and lakes it contaminates. Sediments or suspended particles can often reduce the amount of sunlight penetrating the water, disrupting the growth of photosynthetic plants and micro-organisms. This has subsequent effects on the rest of the aquatic community that depend on these organisms to survive.

Outline the

which pose challenges for (5 marks)

The five areas of challenge are: • Connectivity – Connecting citizens and cities through networks for exchange of knowledge and better city management.

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• • • •

Technology – Using technology to raise the quality of life and enhance use of urban transport. Equity – Ensuring the benefits of greater liveability can be accessed by all residents across the socio-economic spectrum and all groups. Engagement – Involving residents in generating ideas and taking ownership of their environment. Identity – Integrating culture and heritage into the city for residents to identify with their living environment.

(This question is related to characteristics of a liveable city. While you will focus on technology aspects in this course, you are expected to know the general characteristics. The question also required you to ‘outline’, hence your answers need not be long with examples.)

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