(ii) Two potential government policies that would encourage the widespread

use of electric vehicles are:

1. Financial incentives: Governments can provide financial incentives such as
tax credits, rebates, or subsidies to individuals or businesses that purchase
electric vehicles. These incentives can help offset the higher upfront cost of
electric vehicles and make them more affordable for consumers.
2. Infrastructure development: Governments can invest in the development of
charging infrastructure to support electric vehicle adoption. This includes
installing charging stations in public places such as parking lots, shopping
centers, and highways. By expanding the charging network, governments can
alleviate range anxiety and make it more convenient for people to own and use
electric vehicles.
(iii) The statement that electric vehicles only shift the emission of air pollutants
from dispersed sources to point sources can be refuted. While it is true that
electric vehicles do not emit tailpipe emissions like conventional vehicles, they
still have an environmental impact. However, the emissions from electric
vehicles are typically lower and can be controlled more effectively compared to
internal combustion engine vehicles.
Electric vehicles primarily rely on electricity generated from power plants,
which may still produce emissions depending on the energy source. However,
the emissions from power plants can be regulated and controlled more
efficiently than emissions from individual vehicles. Additionally, as the
electricity grid becomes cleaner with the adoption of renewable energy
sources, the environmental impact of electric vehicles will further decrease.
(b) (i) Rainwater from a clean unpolluted atmosphere has a pH of about 5.6
instead of 7 due to the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.
When CO2 dissolves in rainwater, it forms carbonic acid, which lowers the pH
of the rainwater.
(ii) Three environmental effects associated with rainwater with a pH below 4
are:
1. Acidification of soil and water bodies: Acidic rainwater can lower the pH of
soil and water bodies, making them unsuitable for many plants and aquatic
organisms. This can lead to reduced biodiversity and ecosystem disruption.
2. Corrosion of buildings and infrastructure: Acidic rainwater can corrode
buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure made of materials such as
limestone, marble, and metal. This can result in structural damage and
increased maintenance costs.
3. Damage to aquatic ecosystems: Acidic rainwater can directly harm aquatic
organisms, such as fish and amphibians, by affecting their physiology and
disrupting their reproductive cycles. It can also leach toxic metals from the soil,
further impacting aquatic ecosystems.
(c) (i) CFCs stands for chlorofluorocarbons. One example of a compound
belonging to this group of chemicals is CFC-12, also known as
dichlorodifluoromethane.
(ii) The ozone "hole" is formed as a result of CFCs because these chemicals
contain chlorine and bromine atoms that can destroy ozone molecules in the
stratosphere. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they can be
transported to the stratosphere where they are broken down by ultraviolet
(UV) radiation, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms. These atoms then
catalytically destroy ozone molecules, leading to the thinning of the ozone
layer.
(i) Three anthropogenic sources of mercury to the environment are:
1. Coal-fired power plants: Coal combustion releases mercury into the
atmosphere, which can then be deposited onto land and water bodies through
precipitation.
2. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining: Mercury is used in the process of
extracting gold from ore, and the release of mercury during this process can
contaminate soil and water.
3. Waste incineration: When waste containing mercury is incinerated, the
mercury can be released into the atmosphere and subsequently deposited
onto land and water bodies.
(ii) A case study where mercury affected human health is the Minamata disease
outbreak in Japan. In the 1950s and 1960s, a chemical company released
mercury-containing wastewater into Minamata Bay. The mercury entered the
environment and accumulated in fish and shellfish, which were then consumed
by the local population. This led to widespread mercury poisoning, causing
neurological disorders, birth defects, and deaths. The strategy implemented to
reduce future reoccurrence included stricter regulations on industrial
wastewater discharge and the cleanup of contaminated areas.
(i) Two sources of lead in the environment are:
1. Lead-based paints: Lead was commonly used in paints, especially in older
buildings. As these paints deteriorate over time, lead particles can be released
into the environment as dust or flakes.
2. Lead-acid batteries: Lead-acid batteries, commonly used in vehicles and
backup power systems, contain lead. Improper disposal or recycling of these
batteries can lead to the release of lead into the environment.
(ii) Three effects of lead to humans are:
1. Neurological damage: Lead exposure can cause neurological damage,
especially in children. It can impair cognitive development, leading to learning
disabilities, decreased IQ, and behavioral problems.
2. Cardiovascular effects: Lead exposure has been linked to increased blood
pressure, heart disease, and stroke in adults.
3. Reproductive and developmental effects: Lead exposure can affect
reproductive health and development. It can lead to infertility, miscarriages,
and developmental delays in children.
(i) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) are
parameters used for monitoring water quality.
BOD measures the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by microorganisms
in the process of decomposing organic matter in water. It indicates the level of
organic pollution in water and the potential for oxygen depletion, which can
harm aquatic life.
COD measures the amount of oxygen required to chemically oxidize organic
and inorganic substances in water. It provides a broader assessment of the
overall pollution load in water, including both biodegradable and non-
biodegradable substances.
(ii) The BOD of a wastewater sample can be determined experimentally by
measuring the dissolved oxygen content of the sample at the beginning and
after a specific incubation period. The difference in dissolved oxygen
concentration indicates the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms
during the incubation period, which is proportional to the BOD.
(iii) The amount of dissolved oxygen in a water sample can be determined
using Winkler's titration method. In this method, the water sample is treated
with reagents that react with dissolved oxygen to form a colored compound.
The color intensity is then measured using a spectrophotometer, and the
concentration of dissolved oxygen is determined based on the color intensity.