How does China's geography contribute to the environmental hazard shown?
A.
Rivers carry toxins from factories downstream to populated areas throughout the country.
B.
Wind carries air pollution to dense urban centers and smog settles in heavily populated lowlands.
C.
Plate tectonic activity undermines stability in industrial areas, making them vulnerable to leaks.
D.
Runoff from farms and plants causes ground pollution that contributes to acid rain in regions with heavy precipitation.
B. Wind carries air pollution to dense urban centers and smog settles in heavily populated lowlands.
The correct answer is B. Wind carries air pollution to dense urban centers and smog settles in heavily populated lowlands. China's geography, with its dense urban centers and heavily populated lowlands, contributes to its environmental hazard. The wind carries air pollution from various sources such as factories and power plants to these areas, resulting in high levels of pollution and smog. This phenomenon is intensified by the topography of the region, which traps the pollution and prevents it from dispersing easily.
To determine which option explains how China's geography contributes to the environmental hazard shown, we can consider each option and analyze its connection to China's geography.
A. Rivers carry toxins from factories downstream to populated areas throughout the country.
China is home to many major rivers, including the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. These rivers are significant for transportation, agriculture, and industrial activities. The option suggests that the pollution created by factories flows downstream and affects populated areas throughout the country due to the river system. This connection between rivers and pollution in populated areas aligns with China's geography. Therefore, option A is a possible explanation.
B. Wind carries air pollution to dense urban centers and smog settles in heavily populated lowlands.
China's geography, with its varied topography and wind patterns, plays a role in the distribution of air pollution. Wind can carry pollutants from industrial areas or coal-burning power plants to densely populated urban centers. Smog, a result of air pollution, usually settles in low-lying areas. This connection between wind patterns, urban centers, and smog aligns with China's geography. Therefore, option B is a possible explanation.
C. Plate tectonic activity undermines stability in industrial areas, making them vulnerable to leaks.
While China is located in a seismically active region, with frequent earthquakes and plate tectonic activity, this option does not directly link tectonic activity to industrial areas and leaks. Therefore, option C does not explain how China's geography contributes to the environmental hazard.
D. Runoff from farms and plants causes ground pollution that contributes to acid rain in regions with heavy precipitation.
This option implies that runoff from farms and plants leads to ground pollution, which then contributes to acid rain in regions with heavy precipitation. While China has various regions with heavy rainfall, there is no connection mentioned between China's geography and the runoff or ground pollution from farms and plants. Therefore, option D does not sufficiently explain how China's geography contributes to the environmental hazard.
Considering the analysis above, options A and B provide possible explanations, but option B specifically highlights the connection between wind patterns and the settling of pollution in lowlands, which aligns with China's geography. Therefore, option B, "Wind carries air pollution to dense urban centers and smog settles in heavily populated lowlands," is the most accurate explanation of how China's geography contributes to the environmental hazard shown.