Which can be excluded from the list of environmental impacts of mining?(1 point)
Responses
habitats are destroyed
habitats are destroyed
sea level is rising
sea level is rising
harmful gases are released
harmful gases are released
water is polluted
sea level is rising
The answer is "sea level is rising." This is because sea level rise is generally not directly caused by mining activities. It is primarily a result of climate change and the melting of ice caps and glaciers.
To determine which option can be excluded from the list of environmental impacts of mining, we need to evaluate each statement.
1. Habitats are destroyed: This is a well-known consequence of mining activities. Mining often involves clearing vast areas of land and can lead to the destruction of habitats and displacement of wildlife. Therefore, we cannot exclude this option from the list of environmental impacts of mining.
2. Sea level is rising: Sea level rise is not directly caused by mining. It is a consequence of global climate change due to factors such as melting polar ice caps and thermal expansion of seawater. Mining activities do contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which are associated with climate change, but they are not the direct cause of sea level rise. Therefore, we can exclude this option from the list of environmental impacts of mining.
3. Harmful gases are released: Mining activities can release various harmful gases, such as methane and sulfur dioxide, into the atmosphere. These emissions can contribute to air pollution and have negative impacts on human health and the environment. Therefore, we cannot exclude this option from the list of environmental impacts of mining.
4. Water is polluted: Mining activities often involve the use of chemicals, such as cyanide and mercury, which can contaminate water sources. This pollution can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and can also pose risks to human health. Therefore, we cannot exclude this option from the list of environmental impacts of mining.
Based on this evaluation, we can exclude the option "sea level is rising" from the list of environmental impacts of mining.