2. why is open pit mining so devastating to the environment?
a. it exposes dangerous chemicals buried in the earth's crust.
b. it releases a lot of carbon dioxide into the air.
c. it causes massive erosion of sand.
d. it completely removes any available topsoil.

D. It completely removes any available topsoil.

Explanation:

Open pit mining strips off the top layer of the soil in order to access near surface mineral deposits. Most near surface deposits are usually rock aggregates, coal, copper etc.

In order, to access these minerals, large amount of earth must be removed by earth moving machines.

Open pit mining greatly unsettles the ecosystem in mining regions and it leaves the surface bare and not suitable for agricultural activities.

The correct answer is option D. It completely removes any available topsoil.

Explanation:

During an open pit mining all the rocks and minerals found in the soil are removed through the use of large machinery that eliminates soil surface overload and then excavates to extract the minerals. This practice has been carried out throughout the world since the mid-16th century.

The three best known types of mining are surface mining are open pit mining, strip mining and quarries.

 The big problem of eliminating topsoil is that it is essential for the growth of plants and crops, since the nutrients and moisture that allow the growth of these plants come from there.