Question

One of the known effects of acid rain is that it leaches calcium carbonate out of the soil. A study in a region that received significant amounts of acid rain showed that birds were laying eggs with highly porous shells. As a result, the bird population was declining. What is the MOST LIKELY cause of the observed quality of egg shells? A) Acid rain leaches out the calcium that is the most significant component of egg shells. B) The birds are unable to get calcium from the soil because the calcium has been leached out by the acid rain. C) The birds are unable to get calcium from the soil because the calcium has been consumed by the snails to secrete their shells. D) Calcium deficiency was caused because snails in the birds’ diets are unable to get enough calcium to secrete their shells.

Answer 1

I agree, the answer is B

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

B) The birds are unable to get calcium from the soil because the calcium has been leached out by the acid rain

Explanation;

• Calcium is needed by birds in large quantities for the development off the egg shell production and for healthy growth of newborn chicks

• Calcium cannot be stored in the skeleton of the birds since it would make them too heavy and can easily be attacked by predators.

• Therefore the birds have to get calcium directly from its source and eat it.

• Lack of calcium in the soil lead to lack of a source of calcium for the birds thus their eggs might end up failing to hatch due to the small holes on its shell and once there is air in the egg shell no hatching can take place leading to decline in population.