Answer one question from this section. (a) Study Fig. 6.1, a map showing information about an oil spill from the Wakashio, a large ship, off the coast of Mauritius in July 2020.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] 1.4 to 1.7 km
2. [1] In Grand Port Bay;
3. [1] (Near/close to/surrounding/touching) Ile Aux Aigrettes;
4. [1] To north-west/NNW of it/ship/where ship went aground;
5. [1] (Near/close to/on) the coast/within 2km of coast/shore;
6. [1] (Near/close to) named coastal settlement e.g. Vieux Grand Port, Point d'Esny, Mahebourg, etc.
7. [1] Prevents fishing/less profit for fishermen/people unable to eat fish;
8. [1] Cannot use beaches/swim/carry out water activities, etc.;
9. [1] Reduces tourism/loss of tourist trade;
10. [1] Atmospheric pollution from oil spill/toxic fumes/breathing difficulties;
11. [1] Smell;
12. [1] Visual impact;
13. [1] Difficulty/cost/time taken to clean up;
14. [1] Prevents use of desalinated sea water;
15. [1] May stop ships from travelling/using ports; Etc.
16. [1] Animals/fish/plants/coral killed (1) because of loss of sunlight/therefore possibility of extinction of species (2);
17. [1] Reduction in numbers/death of prey species/vegetation/food sources (1) will have negative impact on food chains/remove the food source of predators (2);
18. [1] Direct contact with oil will make seabirds less buoyant (1) killing them/ reducing biodiversity (2)
19. [1] Ingestion of oil by seabirds/marine creatures (1) directly poisons them (2)
20. [1] Damage to reef because of impact from tanker/oil spill (1) will result in loss of habitat for marine life (2);
21. [1] Breeding grounds will be contaminated (1) resulting in long term reduction of species/some species will migrate elsewhere (2);
22. Note: 1 mark for the identification of each impacts and the 2nd mark for explanation.
23. Note: The examples given are not exhaustive and the impact/explanations could be interchanged/combined in different ways.
24. [1] Greater percentage used for industry in North America;
25. [1] Greater percentage used for domestic in North America;
26. [1] Greater percentage used for agriculture in South-east Asia;
27. [1] Highest % use is for industry in North America but agriculture in South-east Asia/in North America more water used for industry than agriculture but in South-east Asia more is used for agriculture than industry;
28. [1] Both North America and South-East Asia use least for domestic;
29. [1] In some areas there is not enough water spare to use in homes after using it for agriculture/to irrigate crops;
30. [1] In some areas many people are likely to have/be able to afford taps in their homes;
31. [1] In some areas many homes have devices which use large quantities of water/example (e.g. washing machines/dishwashers);
32. [1] In some areas water distribution network/pipes are more extensive/cover the whole country;
33. [1] Some countries focus on urban areas/do not invest as much in rural areas;
34. [1] Some areas may suffer from drought so water is scarce;
35. [1] Lack of technology to supply/purify water in some areas;
36. [1] Some areas have more contamination of water;
37. [1] Variation in government finance of water supply between countries; Etc.
38. Note: Comparison not needed. Answer could be from view of LEDC or MEDC or refer to variation between parts of the world/between countries
39. Levels marking
40. Level 1 (1–3 marks): Statements including limited detail which explain how water is being supplied.
41. Level 2 (4–6 marks): Uses named example. More developed or linked statements which explain how water is being supplied. (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example)
42. Level 3 (7 marks): Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements which explain how water is being supplied including some place specific reference.
43. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: Rivers/streams/springs
44. Lakes
45. Dams/reservoirs
46. Pipelines
47. Wells
48. Boreholes
49. Pumping water from aquifers
50. Desalination
51. Physical water treatment e.g. filtration
52. Chemical water treatment e.g. chlorination
53. Import of water
54. Bottled water
55. Rain harvesting
56. Irrigation canals/sprays/etc.
57. Restriction of pollution Etc.
58. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Named places
59. Specific details/statistics about water supply