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AQA · GCSE · Biology · Higher

Peat use and atmospheric temperature

Q02.5 4 marks

Humans have destroyed large areas of peat bog to collect peat. The peat provides fuel and provides compost for gardeners to use. The peat comes from layer B in Figure 2.

Figure 2
Figure 2

Figure 2

Enlarged question image

Figure 2
  • contains the dead remains of plants
  • has a low pH
  • contains very little oxygen
  • contains carbon dioxide and methane

Figure 3 shows the removal of peat from a peat bog.

Figure 3
Figure 3

Figure 3

Enlarged question image

Figure 3

Explain how the destruction of peat bogs and the use of peat affects the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere.

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Marking points

  1. 1 States that atmospheric temperature increases/global warming occurs.
  2. 2 States that carbon dioxide is released from the peat bog.
  3. 3 Links peat use/destruction to carbon dioxide from burning/decay or reduced photosynthetic uptake.
  4. 4 States that methane is released from the peat bog.

Full-mark answer

Destroying the bog releases stored carbon dioxide and methane. Burning the peat as fuel, or allowing it to decay as compost, produces more carbon dioxide, while removing plants also reduces carbon dioxide uptake by photosynthesis. These changes increase the Earth's atmospheric temperature through global warming.

Why this answer loses marks

Burning peat makes the air hotter.

This does not link peat use to carbon dioxide or methane and the greenhouse effect.

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