Question

To test acidity levels of water, scientists test its pH. As acid rain falls, the pH levels in lakes and streams decreases. Candice is working on a project to determine whether acid rain is lowering the numbers of bass and mayflies in a lake. She finds the pH of a water sample to be 5.4. She concludes that the lake's pH level is causing a decrease in the numbers of bass and mayflies present there. How would you respond to Candice's conclusion, based on the data in the table?
A) There is no way to draw a conclusion from this data.
B) The statement is debatable; the data does not support that conclusion.
C) Candice's conclusion is not valid; clam and snail populations would be decreasing.
D) Candice's conclusion is valid; bass and mayflies begin to die when the pH is below 5.5.

Answer 1

I'd say A. Because the only data we have is that at a 5.4 pH level, flies are not welcome.

Hope it helped!

Answer 2

The correct answer is option D- Candice’s conclusion is valid; bass and mayflies begin to die when the PH level is below 5.5

Reason: The acid tolerance of bass and mayflies is 5.5 and if it goes below 5.5, the environment will become more acidic for the bass and mayflies to survive.

Acid rain becomes acidic due to the presence of the atmospheric pollutants in it and when it falls, it makes the soil, water more acidic.