Question 1 • Grade 8 World Cultures and Geography A
Answer:
Industrial toxic spills can poison wildlife, contaminate soil and water, and damage habitats for a long time. For example, oil spills can coat birds’ feathers and marine mammals’ fur, making it harder for them to stay warm or move, and can harm fish and other sea life. A spill of industrial chemicals into a river can kill aquatic organisms and make the water unsafe for people and animals. Spills of heavy metals such as mercury can persist in sediments and build up in the food chain, harming the growth and reproduction of wildlife and potentially people who eat contaminated fish.