What are some environmental impacts of diving?

The choice highlighting coral damage, disturbance of marine life, and pollution accurately reflects some of the significant environmental impacts diving can have on marine ecosystems.

Diving activities can lead to physical harm to delicate coral reefs, particularly when divers make contact with the corals or stir up sediment, which smothers and damages coral structures. Additionally, divers can inadvertently disturb marine life, causing stress to species that may be resting, feeding, or breeding in the area. For example, the presence of divers can disrupt the normal behaviors of fish and other marine organisms.

Pollution is another critical concern, as divers may contribute to littering underwater or may inadvertently introduce contaminants from their gear or personal items. Excessive human presence can also lead to overfishing and degradation of habitats.

In contrast, other choices suggest beneficial outcomes like increased fish populations, improved water clarity, reduction of underwater noise, and habitat restoration, which are generally not direct environmental impacts of diving. While some diving practices promote conservation and habitat restoration, these are typically through proactive measures rather than as direct effects of recreational or commercial diving activities.