Industrial animal farms can produce large amounts of waste, which is often stored in large outdoor basins called waste lagoons. Under optimal conditions, the waste does not pose a direct hazard to the environment. However, faulty lagoons can leak, or severe weather can cause the lagoons to flood and spill into the environment. Which of the following might be an effect of a leaking waste lagoon?

A - Runoff from a leaking lagoon could lead to soil erosion downstream.

B - Drinking water in groundwater aquifers could be contaminated.

C - The properties of soil downstream could be altered, affecting ecosystems.

D - Carbon dioxide emissions could increase and affect the global climate

Question

Biology

Dominic Greene

19 July, 21:07

Industrial animal farms can produce large amounts of waste, which is often stored in large outdoor basins called waste lagoons. Under optimal conditions, the waste does not pose a direct hazard to the environment. However, faulty lagoons can leak, or severe weather can cause the lagoons to flood and spill into the environment. Which of the following might be an effect of a leaking waste lagoon?

A - Runoff from a leaking lagoon could lead to soil erosion downstream.

B - Drinking water in groundwater aquifers could be contaminated.

C - The properties of soil downstream could be altered, affecting ecosystems.

D - Carbon dioxide emissions could increase and affect the global climate

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Jennifer Bradford · Answer 1

The answers are; B & C

Leakage of the lagoon will cause the contaminants to seep through the soil to the groundwater. The plume will diffuse and spread over a large area including affecting the quality of the water in springs and wells.

If severe weather causes flooding of the lagoon, the contaminants may runoff into low lying areas affecting the composition of the soils. The sudden imbalance will cause a particular population to die while giving opportunities for others to rise. This is how ecosystem are affected just like algae blooms in water bodies.