AQA Environmental Science A
Level Exam 2024
Comprehensive Review
Abiotic Factors - Answer>> Physical factors such as light,
temperature and water.
Acidification - Answer>> A process in which the pH drops as
the conditions become more acidic.
Acidophile - Answer>> An organism that thrives under acidic
conditions. Many acidophiles are bacteria or archaea.
Acoustic Deterrent Devices - Answer>> A device that deters
mammals by using sound. They are used to deter small
cetaceans from fishing nets, or seals from fish farms, for example.
Acoustic Fatigue - Answer>> Stress cracking of a material
caused by repetitive vibrations induced by sound.
Acoustic Monitoring - Answer>> Monitoring environmental
sounds e.g. to detect the presence of dolphins and whales or
bats.
Activated Carbon Filter - Answer>> A filter that reduces
emissions of pollutants such as complex organic molecules that
adsorb onto the surface of the activated carbon particles.
Activation Products - Answer>> Atomic nuclei that become
radioactive because they have absorbed neutrons that change
them into less stable nuclei that emit ionising radiation.
,Active Traffic Management (ATM) - Answer>> A method of
controlling road lane usage and speed limits to smooth traffic flow
and reduce congestion.
Acute - Answer>> Exposure to a substance or symptoms that
appear rapidly.
Adsorption - Answer>> The process where a substance fixes
onto a surface.
Aerodynamics - Answer>> The study of airflow over surfaces to
allow the design of surfaces that reduce wind resistance,
turbulence, friction and noise generation.
Afforestation - Answer>> Planting trees to increase the area of
forest.
Albedo - Answer>> A measure of the reflectivity of a surface.
More reflective surfaces have high albedos. A surface that reflects
all light has an albedo of 100%, while one that absorbs all light
has an albedo of 0%. The albedo of an area can affect the local
climate.
Amorphous - Answer>> Without a clearly defined shape or
form.
Anaerobic Process - Answer>> A process that takes place in
the absence of oxygen.
Antarctic Treaty (1959) - Answer>> An international agreement
signed by many countries to protect and manage Antarctica.
Aspects of the treaty include control of military activities, waste
disposal, mineral exploitation, wildlife conservation and tourism.
,Anthropogenic - Answer>> Adjective describing outcomes
caused by human activities.
Aphotic Zone - Answer>> Deeper layers of water that receive
no sunlight because they are absorbed by shallower layers.
Aquaculture - Answer>> The artificial production of aquatic
organisms, including fish farming.
Aquifer - Answer>> A rock which contains water that is
abstracted by humans.
Archaea - Answer>> Microorganisms similar to bacteria,
including the first life-forms to develop on Earth. Archaea are the
only organisms that produce methane from the decomposition of
organic matter.
Artificial Insemination - Answer>> A form of selective breeding
where semen is collected from a chosen male to be inserted
artificially into the chosen female to cause her to become
pregnant. It also allows semen to be stored for later use or the
transport of semen without having to bring the animals together.
As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) - Answer>> An
approach to control of pollution, especially ionising radiation,
where levels are kept as low as is practically achievable, taking
into account economic and technological factors.
Atmosphere - Answer>> The gases surrounding the Earth.
Different layers are characterised by their temperature, density,
turbulence and composition.
, Baffle Mounds - Answer>> Embankments that absorb and
deflect noise, especially around mines, airports and major roads.
Bag Filter - Answer>> A method reducing atmospheric pollution
caused by smoke and particulate matter.
Barrage - Answer>> A dam built across an estuary to generate
tidal power.
Barrier Crops - Answer>> A crop that is grown around another
crop to protect the neighbouring crop, usually by producing a
scent that deters the pests.
Beating Tray - Answer>> A method of sampling invertebrates
on the branches of bushes and small trees.
Becquerel (Bq) - Answer>> The Becquerel is the unit of activity
of a radioactive source. 1 Bq = I nuclear decay per second. It is
usually related to a standard mass of material.
Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost
(BATNEEC) - Answer>> An approach to pollution control where
control technology is used that achieves the lowest emission
levels, without costing so much that further marginal gains would
risk their financial viability.
Bioaccumulation - Answer>> The increase in concentration of a
substance in living tissue as it is absorbed and stored faster than
it is broken down and excreted.
Biocapacity - Answer>> A measure of the biological productivity
of an area.
Level Exam 2024
Comprehensive Review
Abiotic Factors - Answer>> Physical factors such as light,
temperature and water.
Acidification - Answer>> A process in which the pH drops as
the conditions become more acidic.
Acidophile - Answer>> An organism that thrives under acidic
conditions. Many acidophiles are bacteria or archaea.
Acoustic Deterrent Devices - Answer>> A device that deters
mammals by using sound. They are used to deter small
cetaceans from fishing nets, or seals from fish farms, for example.
Acoustic Fatigue - Answer>> Stress cracking of a material
caused by repetitive vibrations induced by sound.
Acoustic Monitoring - Answer>> Monitoring environmental
sounds e.g. to detect the presence of dolphins and whales or
bats.
Activated Carbon Filter - Answer>> A filter that reduces
emissions of pollutants such as complex organic molecules that
adsorb onto the surface of the activated carbon particles.
Activation Products - Answer>> Atomic nuclei that become
radioactive because they have absorbed neutrons that change
them into less stable nuclei that emit ionising radiation.
,Active Traffic Management (ATM) - Answer>> A method of
controlling road lane usage and speed limits to smooth traffic flow
and reduce congestion.
Acute - Answer>> Exposure to a substance or symptoms that
appear rapidly.
Adsorption - Answer>> The process where a substance fixes
onto a surface.
Aerodynamics - Answer>> The study of airflow over surfaces to
allow the design of surfaces that reduce wind resistance,
turbulence, friction and noise generation.
Afforestation - Answer>> Planting trees to increase the area of
forest.
Albedo - Answer>> A measure of the reflectivity of a surface.
More reflective surfaces have high albedos. A surface that reflects
all light has an albedo of 100%, while one that absorbs all light
has an albedo of 0%. The albedo of an area can affect the local
climate.
Amorphous - Answer>> Without a clearly defined shape or
form.
Anaerobic Process - Answer>> A process that takes place in
the absence of oxygen.
Antarctic Treaty (1959) - Answer>> An international agreement
signed by many countries to protect and manage Antarctica.
Aspects of the treaty include control of military activities, waste
disposal, mineral exploitation, wildlife conservation and tourism.
,Anthropogenic - Answer>> Adjective describing outcomes
caused by human activities.
Aphotic Zone - Answer>> Deeper layers of water that receive
no sunlight because they are absorbed by shallower layers.
Aquaculture - Answer>> The artificial production of aquatic
organisms, including fish farming.
Aquifer - Answer>> A rock which contains water that is
abstracted by humans.
Archaea - Answer>> Microorganisms similar to bacteria,
including the first life-forms to develop on Earth. Archaea are the
only organisms that produce methane from the decomposition of
organic matter.
Artificial Insemination - Answer>> A form of selective breeding
where semen is collected from a chosen male to be inserted
artificially into the chosen female to cause her to become
pregnant. It also allows semen to be stored for later use or the
transport of semen without having to bring the animals together.
As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) - Answer>> An
approach to control of pollution, especially ionising radiation,
where levels are kept as low as is practically achievable, taking
into account economic and technological factors.
Atmosphere - Answer>> The gases surrounding the Earth.
Different layers are characterised by their temperature, density,
turbulence and composition.
, Baffle Mounds - Answer>> Embankments that absorb and
deflect noise, especially around mines, airports and major roads.
Bag Filter - Answer>> A method reducing atmospheric pollution
caused by smoke and particulate matter.
Barrage - Answer>> A dam built across an estuary to generate
tidal power.
Barrier Crops - Answer>> A crop that is grown around another
crop to protect the neighbouring crop, usually by producing a
scent that deters the pests.
Beating Tray - Answer>> A method of sampling invertebrates
on the branches of bushes and small trees.
Becquerel (Bq) - Answer>> The Becquerel is the unit of activity
of a radioactive source. 1 Bq = I nuclear decay per second. It is
usually related to a standard mass of material.
Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost
(BATNEEC) - Answer>> An approach to pollution control where
control technology is used that achieves the lowest emission
levels, without costing so much that further marginal gains would
risk their financial viability.
Bioaccumulation - Answer>> The increase in concentration of a
substance in living tissue as it is absorbed and stored faster than
it is broken down and excreted.
Biocapacity - Answer>> A measure of the biological productivity
of an area.
