Question

what is a consequence of melting polar ice caps in the hydrosphere?
a. increased oxygen production
b. formation of soil
c. rising sea levels
d. decreased volcanic activity

how does pollution from human activities impact the hydrosphere?
a. increases photosynthesis
b. contaminates water sources
c. reduces erosion and sedimentation
d. prevents soil formation

Explanation:

• For the first question: Melting polar ice caps add more water to the oceans, which directly causes sea levels to rise. Oxygen production is mainly related to plants (like phytoplankton in the ocean and terrestrial plants), soil formation is a geological process involving weathering etc., and volcanic activity is related to tectonic processes in the Earth's interior, not melting ice caps.
• For the second question: Human - activity - related pollution (such as industrial waste, sewage, agricultural runoff) directly contaminates water sources in the hydrosphere. Photosynthesis is related to plants using light, carbon dioxide etc., pollution usually does not increase it. Pollution can actually increase erosion in some cases (e.g., acid rain weakening soil structure) and has no direct relation to preventing soil formation.

Answer:

1. C. Rising sea levels
2. B. Contaminates water sources