Which statement is true about the potential environmental impact on local water by both surface and underground mining

Question

Both cause high risk of sediment runoff
Both can lead to a lowered water table
Both lead to overburden clogging small local waterways
Both can cause acid and heavy metals to get into local water

Answer 1

The statement "Both can cause acid and heavy metals to get into local water" is true about the potential environmental impact on local water by both surface and underground mining.

Both types of mining can lead to acid mine drainage and the release of heavy metals into nearby water sources, which can significantly harm aquatic ecosystems and contaminate drinking water supplies.

While sediment runoff and overburden clogging can also be concerns, they are more specific to surface mining. Lowering the water table is more directly associated with underground mining but can also have implications in some surface mining scenarios. Therefore, the best choice among the provided options is the one regarding acid and heavy metals.