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.

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

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

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Increasingly acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult.

This trend can be linked to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel use. When CO2 is absorbed by ocean water, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, leading to ocean acidification. This acidic environment can hinder the ability of marine organisms like oysters to calcify and produce their shells, resulting in thinner shells over time.