Final answer:
Wastewater produced from hydraulic fracturing is not clean and cannot be released into Earth's waterways. Fracking can cause habitat fragmentation and contribute to the modification of the atmosphere by releasing greenhouse gases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best evaluates the significance of modern natural gas extraction on the physical environment is option B: Wastewater produced from hydraulic fracturing is clean and can be released into Earth's waterways.
This statement is incorrect. Wastewater produced from hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, contains chemical additives, heavy metals, radioactive materials, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it highly contaminated and unsuitable for release into waterways. If not properly handled and treated, this contaminated water can pollute land and water supplies, posing a risk to the environment and human health.
Furthermore, hydraulic fracturing does have an impact on the atmosphere. Although it may produce less carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to coal or oil combustion, it can lead to methane leaks, which is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Fracking can also cause habitat fragmentation, as it requires the extraction of natural gas from shale deposits.