Question

What is the most significant challenge for organisms that live in estuaries?

Answer 1

"Changing water salinity" is the most significant challenge for organisms that live in estuaries.

Answer: Option D

Explanation:

For estuaries, alkalinity levels are usually the maximum at a river's mouth where the ocean water falls for, and the minimum upstream where freshwater falls in. Although salinity vary throughout the tidal cycle. In estuaries, salinity rates usually decrease in spring as snow melt and rain raises the freshwater flow from streams and groundwater.

It influences the chemical environments within the estuary, especially the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the water. The level of oxygen that would get dissolved in water or its solubility get declined when the alkalinity rises.