Which of the following is an example of hazardous waste that can pollute aquatic systems?

Heavy metals like lead or mercury are classified as hazardous waste because of their toxic properties. When these metals enter aquatic systems, they can have detrimental effects on both aquatic life and human health. Heavy metals accumulate in the tissues of organisms, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification within the food web. This can result in severe health issues for the organisms that ingest them and for the humans who consume contaminated fish or water. These harmful substances can disrupt neurological functions, damage organs, and lead to chronic health problems.

In contrast, plastic bottles, food waste, and glass containers can cause pollution but do not possess the same immediate hazardous characteristics as heavy metals. Plastics can degrade into microplastics, affecting marine life, while food waste can lead to nutrient pollution and oxygen depletion in water bodies but is not inherently toxic. Glass containers can break and cause physical hazards to marine organisms but do not leach toxic materials like heavy metals do. Thus, heavy metals stand out as particularly hazardous to aquatic environments.