o drill or not to drill? That is the big question as Americans face climbing gas prices. Mobil Oil is considering drilling for oil off the coast of California and concerned citizens have protested their attempts to set up drilling sites off-shore. As a result of the controversy, a group of research scientists have been employed by the State of California to study the possible impacts of oil drilling on near-by ecosystems and investigate the likelihood of future oil spills.

The most appropriate method to study the potential impacts of oil drilling on coastal California would be which of these options?
Responses
A check historical data in drilling areas to see the likelihood of an oil spillcheck historical data in drilling areas to see the likelihood of an oil spill
B research other areas where unsuccessful oil drilling has occurredresearch other areas where unsuccessful oil drilling has occurred
C design a computer simulation of an oil spill in the area to determine the environmental impactdesign a computer simulation of an oil spill in the area to determine the environmental impact
D perform a mark and recapture population study on the wildlife in the area prior to drilling