Question

Utah has the largest concentration of oil shale and tar sands in the United States. Which statement identifies a disadvantage to this location?

a)The area is limited in resources for oil extraction.

b)Contamination of nearby bodies of water could occur.

c) Extraction of oil from tar sands is economically feasible.

d) The population in this area is low, and workers are scarce.

Answer 1

The statement that identifies a disadvantage of Utah having the largest concentration of oil shale and tar sands is the potential for contamination of nearby bodies of water.

Step-by-step explanation:

Utah has the largest concentration of oil shale and tar sands in the United States. The statement that identifies a disadvantage to this location is: Contamination of nearby bodies of water could occur. This is because the extraction processes for oil shale and tar sands can have severe environmental impacts. These include strip mining, which is destructive to the landscape, and the potential for water pollution from the chemicals used in the extraction process. Moreover, the processing of these resources often generates emissions and wastes that can harm nearby ecosystems and communities. A historical example of the environmental risks associated with fossil fuel extraction is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig disaster, which resulted in a massive oil spill affecting wildlife, ecosystems, and human livelihoods.