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?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Increasingly acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult.
Increasingly acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult.

Lower carbon levels mean that oysters do not have enough materials to build shells.
Lower carbon levels mean that oysters do not have enough materials to build shells.

Fossil fuel spills in the ocean prevent oysters from building shells.
Fossil fuel spills in the ocean prevent oysters from building shells.

Higher levels of ozone in the ocean keep oysters from building shells.

Answer 1

The most relevant response to the scientist's observation about the thinner oyster shells is:

Increasingly acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult.

This trend is linked to the increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion, which leads to higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Some of this CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, causing ocean acidification. Acidic waters can negatively impact the ability of shellfish like oysters to calcify and build their shells, resulting in thinner, weaker shells.