Which of the following statements best describes the impact of human activities on the cycling of nutrients in natural systems?
A) Human activities are essentially benign and have little lasting impact on either atmospheric or sedimentary nutrient cycling.
B) Human activities have profoundly affected nutrient cycling, particularly with those nutrients that cycle within the atmosphere.
C) Human activities such as mining, construction, and road building disrupt the Earth's surface and greatly decrease those nutrients with sedimentary cycling pathways.
D) Human activities in general significantly enhance nutrient availability and are almost always associated with ecosystem improvements.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Human activities such as deforestation, fossil fuel burning, and agriculture have significantly altered the global cycling of nutrients, particularly with those that cycle within the atmosphere, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. This has led to environmental problems like eutrophication, acid rain, and climate change. While some human activities like fertilizer use can enhance nutrient availability in some cases, the overall impact of humans on nutrient cycling has been negative. Option A is incorrect because human activities have impacted nutrient cycling in many ways. Option C is partially correct but focuses only on sedimentary cycling pathways, ignoring atmospheric pathways. Option D is incorrect because human activities can also cause environmental degradation and deplete nutrient stores.

Which of the Following Statements Best Describes the Impact of Human