The by-products of on-site and off-site industrial wastes are being dumped into a nearby wetland. This is causing a degradation of the water quality in the wetland as well as leaching of natural soil compounds and an overall loss of biodiversity.

Question

How could the impact of industrialization on the wetland best be minimized?
A.
Divert the industry run-off to only a small section of the wetland.
B.
Introduce non-native species of plants and animals to improve biodiversity.
C.
Install vegetated buffers and implement soil treatment methods to remove pollutants.
D.
Use chemical fertilizers to reduce soil toxicity and improve fertility.

Answer 1

The best option to minimize the impact of industrialization on the wetland is:

C. Install vegetated buffers and implement soil treatment methods to remove pollutants.

Vegetated buffers can help filter pollutants before they reach the wetland, while soil treatment methods can address contamination and improve water and soil quality. This approach directly targets the issues caused by industrial waste and helps restore the ecological balance of the wetland. Options A and D do not adequately address the root problems of contamination, and option B could potentially harm the existing native biodiversity.