What is a significant environmental concern in cotton production?

Cotton production raises several notable environmental concerns, and the correct choice reflects the cumulative impact of different issues associated with it. Water pollution from erosion can occur when soil is washed away, carrying pesticides and fertilizers into nearby water bodies, thus contaminating them. Excessive irrigation in cotton farming can lead to significant wastage of water resources and affect local water availability. Increased soil salinity emerges as a problem when irrigation leads to rising groundwater levels, bringing salts to the surface, which can impair soil health and crop yields.

By choosing the option that encompasses all these concerns, it highlights the multifaceted environmental challenges posed by cotton production. Understanding that all these factors can collectively contribute to the negative impact on the environment helps underscore the complexity of sustainable cotton farming practices.