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

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

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

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.

Answer 1

Lower carbon levels mean that oysters do not have enough materials to build shells because the excess carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels is being absorbed by the ocean, leading to increased acidity in the water. This acidity can make it harder for oysters to extract the calcium carbonate needed to build their shells, resulting in thinner shells.