# Explain how marine pollution caused by an oil spill can lead to a reduction in biodiversity in an affected coastal habitat.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 20.2 Habitat destruction · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Oil coats or suffocates/kills organisms directly (e.g. seabirds, fish, marine invertebrates)
2. Loss of one species disrupts food chains / food webs in the habitat
3. Oil prevents light reaching underwater plants / prevents photosynthesis, causing plants to die
4. Death of multiple species / reduction in number of different species = reduction in biodiversity

## Key terms

- [marine pollution](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/marine-pollution)
- [biodiversity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/biodiversity)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-marine-pollution-caused-by-867771dd) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.