Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer:
(c)
Non-traditional
The correct answer is (c), all three statements are correct. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world. Mercury is used to extract gold from ore, and this process releases mercury into the environment. Mercury can contaminate water, soil, and air, and it can also accumulate in fish and other wildlife. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution. Coal contains mercury, and when it is burned, the mercury is released into the atmosphere. Mercury can travel long distances in the atmosphere, and it can deposit on land and water far from the source of the pollution. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.