Question

Keith owns a farm on which an old tank is buried underneath the ground; it used to contain diesel fuel for the farm's tractors. The main reason that this tank is now a hazard is that it might:

Answer 1

Keith's buried diesel fuel tank poses a hazard primarily due to the risk of soil and groundwater contamination resulting from tank corrosion and leakage. This contamination can lead to environmental degradation and threats to human health.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main reason Keith's buried tank, which once contained diesel fuel, is now a hazard is likely due to the risk of soil and groundwater contamination. Over time, tanks like these can corrode and leak, introducing hazardous substances into the environment. This contamination can have serious implications for local ecosystems, and potentially for human health, especially if the contaminated groundwater is used for drinking water or irrigation. The risks associated with such leaks are not only limited to the immediate vicinity of the tank but can spread, making remediation efforts complex and costly.

Environmental degradation resulting from former industrial or agricultural practices is a common issue. The degradation can include pollutants such as heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and petroleum residues. Keith’s farm, therefore, poses a potential risk nearby, invoking concerns similar to other environmental hazards such as oil spills, fracking contamination, or methane leakages from natural gas wells.