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?(1 point)
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.

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.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

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

This trend is related to the use of fossil fuels because the burning of fossil fuels increases carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which eventually lead to higher levels of CO2 being absorbed by the oceans. This process causes ocean acidification, which negatively impacts the ability of marine organisms, including oysters, to build and maintain their calcium carbonate shells.