Which human activity is correctly paired with the greenhouse gas that it increases?

A. Rice cultivation and water vapor

B. Landfilling and carbon dioxide

C. Deforestation and methane

D. Sewage treatment and nitrous oxide

Answer

The correct answer is D. Sewage treatment and nitrous oxide.

Explanation:

A. Rice cultivation and water vapor: While rice cultivation does result in the emission of methane, it does not significantly affect water vapor levels. Water vapor is not directly emitted by human activities in significant quantities; it is naturally occurring.

B. Landfilling and carbon dioxide: Landfills do produce carbon dioxide, but they primarily release methane (a more potent greenhouse gas) during the decomposition of organic waste. Therefore, while carbon dioxide is released, it is not the primary greenhouse gas associated with landfilling.

C. Deforestation and methane: Deforestation primarily contributes to an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as trees that normally absorb CO2 are removed. Methane emissions are more associated with agricultural practices and other specific sources.

D. Sewage treatment and nitrous oxide: Sewage treatment processes can produce nitrous oxide as a byproduct of the microbial processes involved in the treatment of nitrogen-containing waste. This makes this pairing accurate, as sewage treatment is indeed associated with an increase in nitrous oxide emissions.

Thus, D is the correct answer as it accurately pairs a human activity with the greenhouse gas it primarily increases.