What is a potential consequence of chemical runoff in landscaping?

Chemical runoff in landscaping primarily leads to water pollution, which is the correct answer. When fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are applied to landscapes, they can wash away into nearby water bodies through rain or irrigation. This runoff can carry harmful chemicals that contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

Such pollution can lead to a number of ecological problems, including harm to aquatic life and degradation of natural habitats. Nutrient runoff, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can also cause algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and create dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. Hence, understanding the effects of chemical runoff is crucial for environmentally sustainable landscaping practices.

While the other options may seem beneficial to plants or aesthetics, they do not accurately reflect the negative consequences associated with chemical runoff. Improved plant growth, soil enrichment, and increased aesthetic value could occur under controlled conditions but would likely be outweighed by the environmental damage caused by chemical runoff.