Question
Oil spills are a very serious form of pollution. They severely affect marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems. The table shows methods that can be used to control oil spills.
Description of the Method Risks/Benefits of the Method
Bioremediation adds certain microorganisms over the spill. This helps existing microorganisms degrade the oil faster. This method does not harm the environment or organisms in the water.
Evaporation and biodegradation allow the oil to be reduced naturally. This happens without human intervention. This method occurs very slowly, but it does not harm the environment or organisms in the water.
Mechanical methods use barriers to prevent the oil from spreading to other areas. This method can be difficult to use in rough sea conditions. It helps to prevent the oil from spreading, but it does not help degrade the oil.
Chemical methods use dispersants that break the oil into tiny droplets. The droplets can then be degraded by natural processes. This methodquickly degrades the oil, but the chemicals used can be toxic to marine organisms. How well it works depends on the salinity and temperature of the water.
A scientist wants to design a solution to control an oil spill. This solution should decrease the impact of the oil spill on the local biodiversity of the ecosystem. The solution should also be quick and effective but have minimal negative effects on the environment. Which of the following solutions would be best for the scientist to choose?
A.
using mechanical methods to collect the oil in one part of the ecosystem
B.
using chemical methods to break the oil into smaller droplets
C.
using bioremediation to speed up existing, natural oil degradation
D.
allowing natural processes to occur without any human intervention
Description of the Method Risks/Benefits of the Method
Bioremediation adds certain microorganisms over the spill. This helps existing microorganisms degrade the oil faster. This method does not harm the environment or organisms in the water.
Evaporation and biodegradation allow the oil to be reduced naturally. This happens without human intervention. This method occurs very slowly, but it does not harm the environment or organisms in the water.
Mechanical methods use barriers to prevent the oil from spreading to other areas. This method can be difficult to use in rough sea conditions. It helps to prevent the oil from spreading, but it does not help degrade the oil.
Chemical methods use dispersants that break the oil into tiny droplets. The droplets can then be degraded by natural processes. This methodquickly degrades the oil, but the chemicals used can be toxic to marine organisms. How well it works depends on the salinity and temperature of the water.
A scientist wants to design a solution to control an oil spill. This solution should decrease the impact of the oil spill on the local biodiversity of the ecosystem. The solution should also be quick and effective but have minimal negative effects on the environment. Which of the following solutions would be best for the scientist to choose?
A.
using mechanical methods to collect the oil in one part of the ecosystem
B.
using chemical methods to break the oil into smaller droplets
C.
using bioremediation to speed up existing, natural oil degradation
D.
allowing natural processes to occur without any human intervention
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best solution for the scientist to choose would be **C. using bioremediation to speed up existing, natural oil degradation**.
Here's why:
- **Impact on Biodiversity**: Bioremediation uses microorganisms that help degrade the oil without harming the environment or other organisms in the water, minimizing the negative effects on local biodiversity.
- **Effectiveness and Speed**: While it enhances the natural degradation process, bioremediation is effective in breaking down oil relatively quickly compared to natural processes alone, although it may not be as fast as chemical methods.
- **Minimizing Toxicity**: Unlike chemical methods, bioremediation does not introduce toxic chemicals into the environment, which is crucial for protecting marine organisms.
In contrast:
- **A** (mechanical methods) helps contain the oil but does not help in degrading it and is difficult in rough seas.
- **B** (chemical methods) may act quickly but can be toxic to marine organisms, making it less desirable for protecting biodiversity.
- **D** (allowing natural processes) is very slow and would not meet the requirement for a quick solution.
Thus, bioremediation represents a balance of effectiveness and environmental safety.
Here's why:
- **Impact on Biodiversity**: Bioremediation uses microorganisms that help degrade the oil without harming the environment or other organisms in the water, minimizing the negative effects on local biodiversity.
- **Effectiveness and Speed**: While it enhances the natural degradation process, bioremediation is effective in breaking down oil relatively quickly compared to natural processes alone, although it may not be as fast as chemical methods.
- **Minimizing Toxicity**: Unlike chemical methods, bioremediation does not introduce toxic chemicals into the environment, which is crucial for protecting marine organisms.
In contrast:
- **A** (mechanical methods) helps contain the oil but does not help in degrading it and is difficult in rough seas.
- **B** (chemical methods) may act quickly but can be toxic to marine organisms, making it less desirable for protecting biodiversity.
- **D** (allowing natural processes) is very slow and would not meet the requirement for a quick solution.
Thus, bioremediation represents a balance of effectiveness and environmental safety.