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Public Release Item
Selected Response Item for Grade 6
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Standard 6.0 Environmental Science |
Topic B. Environmental Issues
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Indicator 1. Recognize and explain that human-caused changes have consequences for Maryland's environment as well as for other places and future times. |
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Objective c. Identify and describe that ecosystems can be impacted by human activities.
- Protection of the Chesapeake Bay watershed
- Resource acquisition and use
- Land use decisions (agriculture, mining, and development)
- Recycling
- Use and disposal of toxic substances
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Use the information below to answer the following.
Coal-burning power plants in Maryland release sulfur and nitrogen products into the air that contribute to soot, smog, and acid rain. These have direct effects on the air quality and are thought to increase the temperatures on Earth.
Mercury is also released from coal-burning power plants and is often found in organisms in water. Humans who eat these mercury-contaminated organisms develop brain and nerve tissue more slowly than humans who do not eat mercury-contaminated organisms.
Which human action would most likely decrease the release of mercury?
- limiting the number of boats in waterways
- building more hydroelectric power plants
- limiting the number of vehicles on roads
- building more coal-burning power plants
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| Correct Answer |
| B. building more hydroelectric power plants |
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