Question

what would be a negative impact on the environment from a large - scale mining effort in the ocean?
○ removing the minerals would directly cause underwater earthquakes.
○ the habitats of many marine animals would be disrupted.
○ the money used for water cleanup would be diverted to other things, causing lowered water quality.
○ too much equipment would need to be transported across the water, damaging the seafloor.

Explanation:

• For the first option: Removing minerals doesn't directly cause underwater earthquakes as earthquakes are related to tectonic plate movements, not mineral extraction.
• For the second option: Large - scale ocean mining involves activities on the seafloor. Marine animals live in seafloor habitats, and mining would disturb these habitats, which is a valid negative environmental impact.
• For the third option: The money diversion for water cleanup is more of a financial and indirect water quality issue, not a direct environmental impact of the mining effort itself.
• For the fourth option: Transporting equipment across the water (on the water surface) doesn't damage the seafloor; seafloor damage would come from mining activities on the seafloor, not equipment transport on the water.

Answer:

B. The habitats of many marine animals would be disrupted.