Which of the following environmental resources is non-renewable?
Answer Details
A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be produced, grown, regenerated, or used on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate.
Out of the given options, "Mineral" is a non-renewable resource. Minerals are naturally occurring substances that are mined or extracted from the earth, and once they are removed, they cannot be replaced. Examples of minerals include coal, oil, and natural gas. These resources take millions of years to form, and once they are depleted, they cannot be replenished.
On the other hand, "Rain," "Water," and "Oxygen" are renewable resources. Rain replenishes surface water sources and groundwater, while water can be treated and reused. Oxygen is produced through photosynthesis by plants and other organisms.