1x Photochemical smog, lowered air quality, and increased greenhouse gas release is much more common in urban areas compared to rural areas.What explains the lowered air quality association with urban areas? A Rural areas have more green spaces that filter the air through plants. B Urban areas have higher levels of litter and solid waste from population dense neighborhoods. C More fossil fuels are used for combustion in industry and cars, which are more concentrated in urban areas. D Urban areas have less water recharge zones, causing particulates and pollutants to evaporate into the air rather than infiltrate into the ground.

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking us to identify the primary reason why urban areas tend to have lower air quality compared to rural areas. The options provided suggest various factors that could contribute to this phenomenon.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option A suggests that rural areas have more green spaces that filter the air through plants. While this is true, it doesn't explain why urban areas have lower air quality.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option B suggests that urban areas have higher levels of litter and solid waste from population dense neighborhoods. While this could contribute to air pollution, it doesn't explain why urban areas have lower air quality.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option C suggests that more fossil fuels are used for combustion in industry and cars, which are more concentrated in urban areas. This is a strong explanation because the combustion of fossil fuels releases pollutants into the air, which can lower air quality.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option D suggests that urban areas have less water recharge zones, causing particulates and pollutants to evaporate into the air rather than infiltrate into the ground. While this could contribute to air pollution, it doesn't explain why urban areas have lower air quality.