Paper 2 · June 2023 · Environmental pollution and biodiversity
Which of the following is a major cause of air pollution in Zimbabwe?
AInfiltration of rainwater through granite aquifers, which releases trapped gases as the water table rises each wet season.
BCombustion of fossil fuels by vehicles and coal-fired power stations such as Hwange, together with veld fires and firewood burning.
CTranspiration from irrigated tobacco fields, which releases water vapour that reacts with sunlight to form ground-level ozone.
DPhotosynthesis by miombo woodland during the rainy season, which releases oxygen faster than the atmosphere can absorb it.
Explanation
Burning fossil fuels in vehicles and thermal power stations, together with biomass burning such as veld fires and firewood or charcoal use, are the major sources of air pollution named on the paper. Photosynthesis absorbs rather than releases pollutants, and neither aquifer infiltration nor field transpiration is a recognised pollution source.
Derived from ZIMSEC Advanced Level Geography 6037/2 Paper 2, June 2023 session, Q1