Question

Juvenile Red Snapper are found close to shore, while adults live in deeper water. An oil rig started seeping oil near the shoreline. What do you predict would be the biggest impact on Red Snapper due to the oil leakage?

The current generation of the Red Snapper population will be the most affected, as many juveniles will be killed.
The past generations of the Red Snapper population will be the most affected, as the adults will be killed.
The Red Snapper populations will be unaffected because they can easily migrate away from the oil spill.
The Red Snapper populations will be unaffected because oil spills only affect the surface water.

Answer 1

The correct choice is the current generation of the Red Snapper population will be the most affected, as many juveniles will be killed because oil is very harmful to all creatures. The adults won't be affected as much because they are out at sea and the oil rig is near shore. They cannot easily migrate away from the oil spill because the oil will spread. Oil spills do not only affect the surface water, besides, when they surface they will be covered in it!