Which of the following sedimentary environments is MOST likely to destroy bone and thus contain few if any fossils?
A) a limestone cave filling rapidly with sediment in a semiarid region
B) acidic sediment with plenty of groundwater
C) slowly accumulating sediment so bones remain on the surface for a long time
D) rapidly deposited neutral (not acidic or basic) sediment such as in a rift valley

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acidic sediment with plenty of groundwater is most likely to destroy bone because the acidity can dissolve the calcium phosphate in bones, leading to their degradation and reducing the likelihood of fossil preservation.

Which of the Following Sedimentary Environments Is MOST Likely to Destroy