Question

the following question will be scored. which of the following hypotheses is the most likely explanation why 17% of the nearshore marine animals have giardia, but offshore marine animals have few to no cases of giardia? the research was faulty and few to no cases of giardia exist in nearshore marine animals. nearshore marine animals are exposed to runoff of fresh water and soils from land containing giardia versus offshore marine animals that are not exposed to runoff. giardia does not survive in saltwater. nearshore marine animals consume terrestrial organisms containing giardia, versus offshore marine animals that only consume marine organisms with little giardia.

Explanation:

Near - shore animals are more likely to be exposed to Giardia sources from land such as freshwater and soil runoff. Off - shore animals are less exposed to these land - based sources. The other options have flaws: the research is assumed valid in the context of the question, and if Giardia doesn't survive in saltwater, it doesn't explain the 17% in near - shore animals well, and the consumption of terrestrial organisms isn't as likely a factor as runoff exposure.

Answer:

Nearshore marine animals are exposed to runoff of fresh water and soils from land containing Giardia versus offshore marine animals that are not exposed to runoff.