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

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

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.

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

Increasingly acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult.

Answer 1

The trend of thinner oyster shells could be related to the use of fossil fuels through the option: Increasingly acidic ocean water makes building shells more difficult.

This is due to the fact that the burning of fossil fuels increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, some of which is absorbed by the oceans. This process leads to ocean acidification, which can negatively impact the ability of marine organisms, including oysters, to form their calcium carbonate shells properly.