Which of the following describes a benefit of secondary containment systems?

The benefit of secondary containment systems lies primarily in their ability to protect against environmental contamination. Secondary containment refers to engineering features designed to contain leaks or spills from primary containment structures, such as storage tanks. This means if a primary tank were to develop a leak or rupture, the secondary containment system would capture the released substance, preventing it from escaping into the environment. This function is crucial in preventing soil and groundwater contamination, which can have dire ecological and public health consequences.

While other options mention concepts like increased storage capacity, chemical elimination, or maintenance costs, they do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of secondary containment systems, which is focused on preventing environmental harm. The key benefit inside regulatory frameworks and standards for UST operations is to ensure that the environment is safeguarded from potential pollutants, reinforcing the importance of implementing effective secondary containment strategies.