Which statement correctly describes tidal energy and a typical environmental consideration for it?

Which statement correctly describes tidal energy and a typical environmental consideration for it?

• A. Tidal energy uses moving water with turbines placed in barriers or lagoons; environmental consideration: disruption of estuarine flows.
• B. Tidal energy uses solar panels on the coast; environmental: coastal erosion.
• C. Tidal energy relies on wind turbines in open water; environmental: bird collisions.
• D. Tidal energy uses geothermal wells; environmental: subsidence.

Answer: (A)

Tidal energy uses the movement of tidal waters by placing turbines in barriers or lagoons, so water flowing through during rising and falling tides spins the turbines and generates electricity. The environmental concern most commonly linked to this setup is disruption of estuarine flows, since man-made barriers change how water, sediments, and nutrients move between the river and the sea, affecting habitat, salinity, and sediment deposition. The other statements describe different energy technologies (solar panels on the coast, offshore wind turbines, geothermal wells) and their typical environmental issues, not tidal energy.

Tidal energy uses the movement of tidal waters by placing turbines in barriers or lagoons, so water flowing through during rising and falling tides spins the turbines and generates electricity. The environmental concern most commonly linked to this setup is disruption of estuarine flows, since man-made barriers change how water, sediments, and nutrients move between the river and the sea, affecting habitat, salinity, and sediment deposition. The other statements describe different energy technologies (solar panels on the coast, offshore wind turbines, geothermal wells) and their typical environmental issues, not tidal energy.