Question

1. Anthropogenic and natural perturbations would alter biogeochemical processes, which of the following understanding is correct?

1. the perturbations such as forest fires would impact mercury biogeochemical cycles, but they won’t impact human health

2. sea level rise would increase the potential of more toxic mercury production in the coastal wetlands

3. forest management practice is beneficial to forest ecosystem with no ecological risk

4. anthropogenic perturbations such as industrial input will cause elevated mercury in aquatic ecosystems with no doubts

Answer 1

Answer is (b)

Volcanoes, geological deposits, geothermal springs, wastes of aquatic animals(oceanic) etc are the main sources of natural perturbations and coal combustion, waste incineration, mining, industrial uses etc are the major source of anthropogenic perturbations. Forest fires impact Mercury input in the biogeochemical cycle,thus would definitely impact human health. Forest management practices are beneficial to the forest ecosystem but they have ecological risks. Industrial inputs cause elevated mercury in aquatic ecosystem but it depends upon the measure of industrial input. But rise in Sea level causes occurance of more aquatic organisms and destruction of living organisms like plants and animals and the mercury level will definitely rise.