Solved

It's Time to Do Something About the Nurdle Problem

question 7

Multiple Choice

It's time to do something about the nurdle problem. And just what is a nurdle, you might ask? Nurdles, also known as "mermaid tears," are small plastic pellets that are widely used to make all types of plastic products, from bottles to television sets. Sadly, mismanagement of these little pellets during transport and processing leads to billions being unintentionally released into rivers and oceans. With each passing year, they are becoming more and more prevalent in aquatic environments. Their small size, round shape, and variety of colors make them attractive food-easily mistaken for fish eggs and small prey. In addition, nurdles are often colonized by microbes that are dangerous to humans and sea life. A recent study of nurdles in Scotland revealed that the small plastic bits were covered with E coli, the bacterium responsible for food poisoning in mammals. Fortunately, some organizations are raising awareness of the problem. The Great Global Nurdle Hunt is a charity that encourages people to become citizen scientists and gather data on how common these pieces are. From there, we can figure out who's polluting and begin the cleanup. So let's all get out there and do some nurdle hunting-just be sure to wear your gloves!
Which of the following words would the author use to describe the nurdle problem?

Definitions:

Democracy

A form of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or through freely elected representatives.

Capitalism

An economic system in which private individuals or businesses own capital goods and the production of goods and services is based on supply and demand in the market.

Unpleasant Side Effects

Negative outcomes or consequences that may occur as a result of a particular action or policy.

Pollution

Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, negatively impacting the planet's ecosystems and human health.