Wetlands have important filtering capabilities. Wetlands filter surface- water runoff from higher dry land before the it reaches open water. As the runoff water passes through, the wetlands retain excess nutrients and some pollutants. This filtering also helps to reduce sediment that would clog waterways and affect fish and amphibian egg development. In performing this filtering function, wetlands save us a great deal of money.

Question

Without the natural filtration system of a wetland, money would most likely be spent on
Responses
A building barrier islands.building barrier islands.
B coastal rebuilding efforts.coastal rebuilding efforts.
C waste water treatment plants.waste water treatment plants.
D non-point source pollution clean up.

Answer 1

Without the natural filtration system of a wetland, money would most likely be spent on C waste water treatment plants.

Wetlands play a critical role in filtering out excess nutrients and pollutants from runoff, which would otherwise require expensive artificial systems, such as wastewater treatment plants, to manage and clean the water before it reaches open water bodies.