Which of the following activities is most likely to result in sediment pollution? cutting down trees b. pouring motor oil down the drain c. excess fertilizer use d. none of the above

a. cutting down trees.

Sediment is soil particles such as loose sand, slit, clay which settle down at the bottom of a water body. Sediments arise from soil erosion or from the plant and animal decomposition. Wind, ice and water act as carriers of the particles to lakes, rivers and streams.

Soil erosion occurs due to removal of vegetation or cutting of plants which makes the land barren. The roots of the plants are helpful for holding the soil. In agricultural practices also log stretches of land are left barren for longer time periods. Forestry practices are responsible for erosion and in turn sediment pollution. Thus deforestation and cutting of plants are the major causes of sediment deposition.