Final answer:
The mid-Atlantic ridge promotes biodiversity in the marine environment by creating new habitats and ecosystems through geological activity such as seafloor spreading and hydrothermal vents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mid-Atlantic ridge affects the environment by promoting biodiversity. This underwater mountain range, formed by tectonic plates diverging from each other, creates an environment for various life forms to thrive. The spreading seafloor at the ridge generates new habitats, and the hydrothermal vents found along the ridge support unique ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity. The mix of geological and chemical processes provides the energy and nutrients necessary for life forms that are not found anywhere else on earth. Hence, the mid-Atlantic ridge contributes significantly to the biodiversity of marine life in the Atlantic Ocean.
Not only does the ridge promote biodiversity, but the geological activity associated with it, such as earthquakes, can also affect the surrounding environment. Earthquakes can change the topology of the ocean floor, potentially leading to the creation of new ecosystems. However, these earthquakes do not typically lead to the negative outcomes mentioned in options A, B, C, and D. Therefore, the correct direct answer to the student's question is option B: The mid-Atlantic ridge promotes biodiversity.