Biofuels are derived from plant material or animal waste. They act as substitutes for fossil fuels such as petrol and oil. Fossil fuels formed over very long timescales, millions of years ago. Biofuels may be a sustainable resource, or they may not be. Fig. 6.1 provides data on alcohol production and deforestation in Brazil from 2012 to 2016.
(a)[2]
Describe what the term sustainable resource means.
(b)[2]
Alcohol (ethanol) is used as a biofuel. It can be produced from plants, such as sugar cane, which grow in tropical countries such as Brazil. Describe how a living organism can be used to change sugar found in plants into alcohol.
(c)[4]
Fig. 6.1 shows alcohol production and deforestation in Brazil from 2012 to 2016. Suggest an explanation for the changes shown in Fig. 6.1 and describe the possible impact of these changes.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “is made as quickly as it is used up” …