This document consists of 34 pages of an A* awarded, geography fieldwork investigation write-up. It responds to the question, ‘Are pollution levels higher in Slough (an urban area), than Penn (a rural area). If so, why?’. It includes high quality data presentation and analysis, as well as the i...
Are pollution levels higher in Slough (an urban area), than Penn (a rural area). If so why?
CONTENTS
Introduction
Aims
Research questions
Link to specification
Location of study
Literature review
Methodology
Risk assessment
Primary data (date and time)
Secondary data
Data presentation and analysis
Photographs – Penn
Photographs – Slough
Environmental quality survey
Vehicle count
Air quality monitor measurements
Decibel readings
Litter count
General pollution survey
Maps
Conclusions
Sub-question 1: How do air pollution levels vary in Slough compared to Penn and
what are the reasons for this?
Sub-question 2: In what way are noise pollution levels different in Slough and Penn
and why?
Sub-question 3: To what extent do land pollution levels differ in Slough and Penn and
why?
Overall conclusion
Evaluation
Ethical considerations
Glossary
References
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW
, Are pollution levels higher in Slough (an urban area), than Penn (a rural area). If so why?
Aims of the Study
The aims of this enquiry are…
- To discover the difference in air pollution levels between Slough and Penn and the
reasons for this.
- To determine whether noise pollution levels vary between Slough and Penna and
why.
- To see to what extent land pollution levels differ in Slough and Penn and why.
- To find the overall effect that Penn (a rural area) and Slough (an urban area) have on
pollution levels, and whether there is a significant difference between them.
Research Questions
The overarching question being answered in this investigation is ‘are pollution levels are
higher in urban areas (Slough) than rural areas (Penn)?’.
There is a focus on three different aspects of pollution, which are noise pollution, air
pollution, and land pollution. These different questions allow the exploration of multiple areas
of the specification, in particular urban climate.
The first sub-question focuses on air pollution, which links to the overarching question of
pollution in general between rural and urban areas. To answer this question, a particulate
matter monitor was used to measure particulate matter pollution and carbon dioxide levels,
as well as taking a tally cars and other vehicles. This question was chosen because it covers
a large cause of pollution in towns and cities, and it would be interesting to discover how big
of an impact vehicles and area density have on air pollution.
The second sub-question being answered focuses on noise pollution, in order to cover a
broad range of types of pollution. To answer this sub-question a decibel meter was used to
record decibel readings and a tally cars was taken as they are an indicator of higher noise
pollution. This question was chosen as noise pollution can have a great impact on cities and
it was interesting to see if there was a significant difference between the two types of areas.
The final sub-question focuses on land pollution, to get a full overview of pollution in the two
chosen areas. Levels of land pollution should typically be higher in the urban area; therefore
it is important to look into more depth in the area to determine the accuracy of this
assumption. To answer this, a litter count was carried out, which shows a good overview of
land pollution.
The sub-questions that are being answered are…
- How do air pollution levels vary in Slough compared to Penn and what are the
reasons for this?
- In what way are noise pollution levels different in Slough and Penn and why?
- To what extent do land pollution levels differ in Slough and Penn and why?
Link to Specification
3.2.3.4 ‘Urban climate’ – this links to the subject area of study, in particular ‘air quality,
particulate pollution’. This investigation will be measure particulate pollution and carbon
dioxide, which are both harmful pollutants than increase air pollution, therefore this section of
the specification ties in very well.
, Are pollution levels higher in Slough (an urban area), than Penn (a rural area). If so why?
3.2.3.7 ‘Other contemporary urban environmental issues’ – this part of the specification
has a clear link to this study, mainly ‘environmental problems in contrasting areas:
atmospheric pollution and dereliction’. This investigation will measure atmospheric pollution,
as well as land pollution, which links to dereliction and environmental issues. For example,
counting litter in the streets, which will show environmental issues, as it impacts the soil and
ecosystems.
Location of study
Slough is a large town in Berkshire, England, 20 miles west of central London and 19 miles
north-east of Reading. It is in the Thames Valley and within the London metropolitan area at
the intersection of the M4, M40 and M25 motorways. Slough had a population of 164,000 in
2018 and it covers 32.53 km². Its coordinates are 51.5105° N, 0.5950° W. Slough has a very
high concentration of UK HQs of global companies and is one of the most affordable places
to live in the county. This area was selected as it is a busy, developing urban area, which
contrasted well enough to Penn to assess the similarities and differences in pollution levels.
Penn is a village and civil parish in Buckinghamshire, England, around 3 miles north-west
of Beaconsfield and 4 miles east of High Wycombe. It’s population was estimated at 4,168 in
2019 and it covers 3,991 acres. Its coordinates are 51.6341° N, 0.6702° W. Penn is very
popular with families wanting a rural setting but close to transport links. It has a few village
shops, as well as a doctors surgery. This area was selected because it was the closest rural
area to Slough, therefore comparisons can be made between a very rural and very urban
area can be made effectively.
In each area, Slough and Penn, random sampling was used to select 6 data collection sites.
Random sampling avoids subjectivity and researcher bias, therefore was the best way to
select all 6 areas without affecting the results. To create this random sample, a map of each
area was given to a peer. They then had to select 6 random sites on both maps, without
knowing the aims of the investigation in order to avoid bias. In Penn area 3, it was not
possible to obtain a sample in the original area chosen, as the field was on private property.
To tackle this issue, the sample was taken from just outside the field, which avoided
trespassing and any risks being taken by doing so. This was also a problem in Slough area
4, where there was no space to park as it was by a main road so would have been
dangerous. To ensure safety, the sample was taken in a car park nearby, as the main road
was still visible from there.
, Are pollution levels higher in Slough (an urban area), than Penn (a rural area). If so why?
Penn
Slough
A
Figure A shows the location of both Penn and Slough on the map at a national scale.
Slough
Slough
M4
M25
B
Fi
gure B shows Slough at a more local scale, along with the surrounding towns and villages in
its county.
Penn
C
M40
Figure C shows Penn at a more local scale, along with the surrounding towns and villages in
its county.
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