Whereas the use of synthetic fertilizers has greatly expanded agricult

Whereas the use of synthetic fertilizers has greatly expanded agricultural productivity in many parts of the world, an increase in their use can create serious environmental problems such as water pollution, and their substitution for more traditional fertilizers may accelerate soil structure deterioration and soil erosion.

(A) an increase in their use can create serious environmental problems such as water pollution, and their substitution for more traditional fertilizers Correct answer. No errors.

(B) an increase in their use can create serious environmental problems like water pollution, and if substituted for more traditional fertilizers, it "like" is incorrectly used to provide a specific example. The correct use is "such as". Also, singular pronoun "it" incorrectly refers to plural antecedent "fertilizers". Eliminate.

(C) if these fertilizers are used increasingly, they can create serious environmental problems such as water pollution, and if used as substitutions for more traditional fertilizers, they "used as" should be followed by a noun, incorrectly followed by a verb "substitutions". Eliminate.

(D) the increased usage of these fertilizers can create serious environmental problems such as water pollution, while if substituted for more traditional fertilizers, this substitution "while" unnecessarily brings in a contrast and is incorrectly used before "if". Eliminate.

(E) the increased usage of these fertilizers can create serious environmental problems like water pollution, while their substitution for more traditional fertilizers Same error by using "like" as in (B). Eliminate.

Hope this helps.