Environmental systems and societies

Standard level
Paper 2

6 May 2024

Zone A morning Zone B morning Zone C morning

Candidate session number

2 hours

Instructions to candidates
y Write your session number in the boxes above.
y Do not open this examination paper until instructed to do so.
y Section A: answer all questions.
y Section B: answer two questions.
y Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.
y A calculator is required for this paper.
y The maximum mark for this examination paper is [65 marks].

2224 – 6506
23 pages © International Baccalaureate Organization 2024

24EP01
 –2– 2224 – 6506

Section A

Answer all questions. Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.

Figure 1: Carbon cycle

Photosynthesis Atmosphere 750

120
Volcanoes
0.1
Plant
respiration Deforestation and
59 land use change
Burning 1.0 Ocean loss
fossil fuels 90
9.3 Ocean
uptake
92

Plants
560

5
72
Soils Rivers

n
1500

ea
0.8

5
Fossil fuels

27
oc
ce

37
5000–10 000

nd
rfa

a
Su

ea e
oc diat
n
Earth’s crust
ep e
de term
100 000 000
In

Burial to sediments
0.1
Key: storage / 1015 g C
flow / 1015 g C yr−1

1. (a) Identify one inorganic carbon storage in Figure 1. [1]

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24EP02
 –3– 2224 – 6506

(Question 1 continued)

(b) Draw a labelled diagram to illustrate the flows of carbon between plants and the
atmosphere shown in Figure 1. [2]

(c) Using the data in Figure 1, calculate the net gain in carbon in the oceans in 1015 g. [1]

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(d) Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of the oceans as a carbon sink. [2]

Advantage: ..............................................................
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Disadvantage: ..............................................................
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(e) Outline one method to mitigate the effects of atmospheric carbon storage. [1]

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24EP03
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Figure 2: Global plastic production, accumulation and future trends

1200

1100
Incinerated
1000 million tonnes
Still in use 1000
2900 million tonnes
900
Plastic
accumulation 800

Million tonnes per year

1950–2017
9200 million tonnes
700
Recycled
700 million tonnes 600
Discarded
5300 million tonnes 2017 500

400

300

200

Yearly plastic 100

production

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Year

2. (a) Using Figure 2, estimate the mass of plastic that was produced in 2017. [1]

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24EP04
 –5– 2224 – 6506

(Question 2 continued)

(b) Calculate the mean yearly production of plastic between 1950 and 2017. [1]

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(c) Outline why the total accumulated plastic in 2017 is greater than the yearly production. [1]

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..........................................................................

(d) Describe how the environmental impacts of discarded and incinerated plastic waste
would differ. [2]

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(e) Describe two possible reasons for the future trends of plastic production, as shown in
Figure 2. [2]

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(f) Explain two potential impacts of the future trends of plastic production on the global
ecological footprint. [2]

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24EP05
 –6– 2224 – 6506

Figure 3(a): Average hourly variation in ozone on wet and dry days in Guarujá, Brazil

50
−3

Key:
m−3

40
µg m

wet
Ozone // µg

30
20 dry
Ozone

10
0
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
Time of day / h

Figure 3(b): Average hourly variation in NOx on wet and dry days in Guarujá, Brazil

60
50 Key:
−3
m−3
µg m

40 wet
NOxx // µg

30
20 dry
NO

10
0
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
Time of day / h

Figure 3(c): Average hourly variation in SO2 on wet and dry days in Guarujá, Brazil

5
Key:
−3

4
m−3
µg m

3 wet
SO22 // µg

2 dry
SO

1
0
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00

Time of day / h

3. (a) Identify the time of day that ozone is at its lowest concentration on a wet day
in Figure 3(a). [1]

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(This question continues on the following page)

24EP06
 –7– 2224 – 6506

(Question 3 continued)

(b) Outline why the highest concentration of ozone occurs at the time shown in Figure 3(a). [2]

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(c) Describe one impact on human health of high ozone concentrations in the air. [1]

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(d) Outline one possible source of the pollutant shown in Figure 3(b). [1]

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..........................................................................

(e) Outline why SO2 levels are lower on wet days than on dry days, as shown in Figure 3(c). [1]

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..........................................................................

(f) Evaluate a strategy to manage the effects of one pollutant named in Figure 3(b) or
Figure 3(c). [3]

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24EP07
 –8– 2224 – 6506

Section B

Answer two questions. Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.

4. (a) Outline the distinctive features of the anthropocentric environmental value system. [4]

(b) Explain how the shape of a population growth curve for a prey species may be
influenced by the presence of a predator species. [7]

(c) To what extent would an anthropocentric approach to addressing human population

growth be the most successful in maintaining a sustainable population? [9]

5. (a) Outline how four named factors contribute to a steady-state equilibrium in an ecosystem. [4]

(b) Explain why pyramids of numbers, biomass and productivity may vary in shape for
different food chains. [7]

(c) To what extent can the practical strategies for obtaining data for a pyramid of numbers
be made reliable? [9]

6. (a) Outline the mechanisms by which a terrestrial species may have evolved from an
aquatic ancestor. [4]

(b) Explain how the hydrological cycle influences climate around the Earth. [7]

(c) Evaluate management strategies for reducing the impact of agricultural pollution on an
aquatic ecosystem. [9]

7. (a) Outline two transfer processes and two transformation processes that occur within
the soil. [4]

(b) Explain how negative and positive feedback mechanisms play a role in the process of
global warming. [7]

(c) To what extent are the concepts of natural capital and natural income helpful in
managing the sustainable use of natural resources? [9]

24EP08
 – 19 – 2224 – 6506

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24EP19
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24EP20
 – 21 – 2224 – 6506

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24EP21
 – 22 – 2224 – 6506

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24EP22
 – 23 – 2224 – 6506

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24EP23
Environmental systems and societies
Standard level
Paper 2

6 May 2024

Zone A morning Zone B morning Zone C morning

Candidate session number

2 hours

Instructions to candidates
y Write your session number in the boxes above.
y Do not open this examination paper until instructed to do so.
y Section A: answer all questions.
y Section B: answer two questions.
y Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.
y A calculator is required for this paper.
y The maximum mark for this examination paper is [65 marks].

2224 – 6503
23 pages © International Baccalaureate Organization 2024

24EP01
 –2– 2224 – 6503

Section A

Answer all questions. Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.

Figure 1: Carbon cycle

Photosynthesis Atmosphere 750

120
Volcanoes
0.1
Plant
respiration Deforestation and
59 land use change
Burning 1.0 Ocean loss
fossil fuels 90
9.3 Ocean
uptake
92

Plants
560

5
72
Soils Rivers

n
1500

ea
0.8

5
Fossil fuels

27
oc
ce

37
5000–10 000

nd
rfa

a
Su

ea e
oc diat
n
Earth’s crust
ep e
de term
100 000 000
In

Burial to sediments
0.1
Key: storage / 1015 g C
flow / 1015 g C yr−1

1. (a) Identify one carbon flow caused by human activities in Figure 1. [1]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(This question continues on the following page)

24EP02
 –3– 2224 – 6503

(Question 1 continued)

(b) Draw a labelled diagram to illustrate the flows of carbon between plants and the
atmosphere shown in Figure 1. [2]

(c) Using the data in Figure 1, calculate the net gain in carbon in the oceans in 1015 g. [1]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(d) Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of the oceans as a carbon sink. [2]

Advantage: ..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................

Disadvantage: ..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................

(e) Outline one method to mitigate the effects of atmospheric carbon storage. [1]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................

Turn over
24EP03
 –4– 2224 – 6503

Figure 2: Global plastic production, accumulation and future trends

1200

1100
Incinerated
1000 million tonnes
Still in use 1000
2900 million tonnes
900
Plastic
accumulation 800

Million tonnes per year

1950–2017
9200 million tonnes
700
Recycled
700 million tonnes 600
Discarded
5300 million tonnes 2017 500

400

300

200

Yearly plastic 100

production

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Year

2. (a) Using Figure 2, estimate the mass of plastic that was produced in 2017. [1]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(This question continues on the following page)

24EP04
 –5– 2224 – 6503

(Question 2 continued)

(b) Calculate the percentage of accumulated plastic that was recycled between 1950
and 2017. [1]

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..........................................................................

(c) Outline why the total accumulated plastic in 2017 is greater than the yearly production. [1]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(d) Describe how the environmental impacts of discarded and incinerated plastic waste
would differ. [2]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(e) Describe two possible methods to reduce the future trends of plastic production shown
in Figure 2. [2]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(f) Explain two potential impacts of the future trends of plastic production on the global
ecological footprint. [2]

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..........................................................................
..........................................................................

Turn over
24EP05
 –6– 2224 – 6503

Figure 3(a): Average hourly variation in ozone on wet and dry days in Guarujá, Brazil

50
−3

Key:
m−3

40
µg m

wet
Ozone // µg

30
20 dry
Ozone

10
0
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
Time of day / h

Figure 3(b): Average hourly variation in NOx on wet and dry days in Guarujá, Brazil

60
50 Key:
−3
m−3
µg m

40 wet
NOxx // µg

30
20 dry
NO

10
0
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
Time of day / h

Figure 3(c): Average hourly variation in SO2 on wet and dry days in Guarujá, Brazil

5
Key:
−3

4
m−3
µg m

3 wet
SO22 // µg

2 dry
SO

1
0
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00
02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

24:00

Time of day / h

3. (a) Identify the time of day that ozone is at its lowest concentration on a wet day
in Figure 3(a). [1]

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(This question continues on the following page)

24EP06
 –7– 2224 – 6503

(Question 3 continued)

(b) Outline two reasons for the trend of hourly ozone concentrations shown in Figure 3(a). [2]

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..........................................................................

(c) Describe one impact of high SO2 concentrations on forest systems. [1]

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..........................................................................

(d) Outline one possible source of the pollutant shown in Figure 3(b). [1]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(e) Outline why SO2 levels are lower on wet days than on dry days, as shown in Figure 3(c). [1]

..........................................................................
..........................................................................

(f) Evaluate a strategy to manage the effects of one pollutant named in Figure 3(b) or
Figure 3(c). [3]

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Turn over
24EP07
 –8– 2224 – 6503

Section B

Answer two questions. Answers must be written within the answer boxes provided.

4. (a) Outline the distinctive features of the anthropocentric environmental value system. [4]

(b) With reference to a named herbivore species, explain why its population growth curve
follows an S-shape. [7]

(c) To what extent would an anthropocentric approach to addressing human population

growth be the most successful in maintaining a sustainable population? [9]

5. (a) Outline the processes by which nitrogen in the atmosphere may eventually be found in
the protein of a decomposer. [4]

(b) Explain why pyramids of numbers, biomass and productivity may vary in shape for
different food chains. [7]

(c) To what extent can the practical strategies for obtaining data for a pyramid of numbers
be made reliable? [9]

6. (a) Outline the mechanisms by which a terrestrial species may have evolved from an
aquatic ancestor. [4]

(b) Explain the ways in which species diversity and an abundance of plant and herbivore
species will increase the resilience of an ecosystem. [7]

(c) Evaluate management strategies for reducing the impact of agricultural pollution on an
aquatic ecosystem. [9]

7. (a) Outline two input processes and two output processes that occur to and from the
soil system. [4]

(b) Explain how negative and positive feedback mechanisms play a role in the process of
global warming. [7]

(c) To what extent are the concepts of natural capital and natural income helpful in
managing the sustainable use of natural resources? [9]

24EP08
 – 10 – 2224 – 6503

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24EP10
 – 11 – 2224 – 6503

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24EP11
 – 12 – 2224 – 6503

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24EP12
 – 13 – 2224 – 6503

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24EP13
 – 14 – 2224 – 6503

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24EP14
 – 15 – 2224 – 6503

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24EP15