Biology · May / June 2021 · Paper 41 · Question 2

any four from:

quantity of plastic waste always higher inside GPGP than outside it ; ora

quantity inside GPGP constant (from 1965) to, any year 1975 to 1994 ; quantity increases in GPGP, steeply ;

smaller (overall) increase outside the GPGP ; ora

quantity of plastic waste outside the GPGP, fluctuates / AW ;

comparative data quote with years and unit ;

any one from:

leathery / hard / scaly, skin ;

hard(er) / rubbery / leathery / AW, eggs ;

lay eggs on land (not in water) ;

internal fertilisation ;

any four from:

direct effects

(non-biodegradable plastic) does not break down ;

idea that ability to breathe affected ;

idea that ability to move affected ;

idea that ability to gain nutrition affected ;

damage / injury / infection / death ;

toxic / poisonous ;

indirect effects

blocks (sun)light, so algae / plants / producers, cannot photosynthesise ; (so) less, food / energy, enters, food chains / food webs ;

loss of (named), habitat / feeding / breeding area ;

more likely to be predated ;

idea that (plastic) accumulates up the food chain / bioaccumulation ; AVP ;

any two from:

use (named) alternatives for plastic ;

reduce, use of / manufacture, single-use plastic ;

use biodegradable plastics instead of non-biodegradable plastics ; reduce unnecessary packaging ;

reuse plastic product(s) ;

recycle / described ;

education / awareness campaigns ;

AVP ; e.g. idea of fines / punishment, for unregulated disposal of plastic waste / legislation / taxation / charging for using plastic / money-back schemes / quotas or limits for production / international treaties