Question

the agricultural industry utilizes fertilizer and pesticides to boost crop growth and reduce pests. how do these inorganic treatments negatively impact the watershed surrounding the land?
a. runoff from the farms can cause overgrowth of plant life in local ponds, lakes, and rivers, reducing oxygen levels and impacting animal life.
b. runoff carrying fertilizer and pesticides helps plants grow and reduces pests in surface water locations.
c. runoff carries fertilizer and pesticides to other agricultural areas and is absorbed there so it does not seep into the groundwater supply.
d. runoff does not carry fertilizer and pesticides to the water supply because these chemicals are too heavy to be carried by water.

Explanation:

Fertilizers contain nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. When farm runoff carries these into watersheds, they cause eutrophication—excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants. As these plants die and decompose, oxygen in the water is depleted, harming fish and other aquatic animals. Options B, C, and D are incorrect: B describes a positive effect (not a negative impact), C incorrectly claims runoff does not seep into groundwater, and D is wrong because fertilizers/pesticides are soluble and are carried by water runoff.

Answer:

A. Runoff from the farms can cause overgrowth of plant life in local ponds, lakes, and rivers, reducing oxygen levels and impacting animal life.