Question

A scientist observes that the shells of oysters this year are thinner than the shells of oysters several years ago how could this trend be related to the use of fossil fuels higher levels of ozone in the ocean keep oysters from building shells increasing acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult lower carbon levels mean that oysters do not have enough minerals to be able to shells fossil fuel spills into the ocean prevent oysters from building shells

Answer 1

The trend of thinner oyster shells observed by the scientist can be most directly related to the phenomenon of increasing acidic ocean water, which makes it more difficult for oysters to build their shells. This increased acidity is primarily due to the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, largely resulting from the burning of fossil fuels.

When CO2 is released into the atmosphere, a significant portion of it is absorbed by the oceans, leading to ocean acidification. This process reduces the availability of carbonate ions, which are essential for shell formation in marine organisms, including oysters. As the water becomes more acidic, it hinders the oysters' ability to extract the minerals needed to create their calcium carbonate shells, resulting in thinner shells.

Thus, the statement that best explains the observed trend is: increasing acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult.