Question

extensive chemical pollution occurred over a short period of time in an area of marshland, leading to the extinction of a salamander species. which of the following is the most likely explanation for why this extinction occurred? choose 1 answer: a pollution caused the marshland salamanders to rapidly evolve into a different species that can live on dry land. b pollution led to a loss of clean water and resources for the marshland salamanders, and they were no longer able to survive. c pollution only allowed members of the marshland salamander population that were unaffected by the chemicals to survive.

Explanation:

• Option A: Evolution into a new species takes a long time, not rapid, and the problem states extinction, not evolution to a new species, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: Chemical pollution in marshland would contaminate water and resources. Salamanders rely on these for survival; loss of clean water and resources would make survival impossible, leading to extinction. This matches the scenario.
• Option C: If only unaffected members survived, the species wouldn't go extinct (they'd persist), so C is incorrect.

Answer:

B. Pollution led to a loss of clean water and resources for the marshland salamanders, and they were no longer able to survive.