If you live on a river delta or coastline, you may not be able to eat the local clams because of high levels of toxins present in the water. Why?
A) Clams seasonally produce toxic substances.
B) Clams regularly consume poisonous red tide organisms.
C) Most native clams have been replaced by harmful exotic species.
D) Clams are filter-feeders and pollutants in the water become concentrated in their tissues.
E) The toxins contained in clams cannot be detoxified in the human digestive tract.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clams are filter feeders, which means they filter water to obtain their food. However, this also means that pollutants and toxins present in the water become concentrated in their tissues. Therefore, consuming clams from polluted waters can lead to toxic reactions in humans.

If You Live on a River Delta or Coastline, You