** will mark brainliest ** which of the following explains how aquatic animals in the arctic and antarctic survive at subzero temperatures? a. water exhibits higher density in its solid state, allowing ice to float on top. b. water freezes from bottom upward, forming an insulating layer of ice at the bottom. c. water expands on cooling below 4 °c, increasing in volume until it reaches 0 °c. d. the low specific heat of water lets it cool down slowly, allowing aquatic animals to survive.

It is c I hope I helped out with this question!.

C. Water expands on cooling below 4 °C, increasing in volume until it reaches 0 °C.

Explanation:

The volume occupied by ice is greater than the volume of water.

The maximum density of water is at 4°C.

The hydrogen bond in ice gives it an open cage like structure which makes it volume higher and density lower as compared to liquid water. As we increase the temperature the volume decreases due to breaking of these bonds so its density increases till 4°C. After this temperature the increase in volume due to change in state is more and thus its volume increases and density decreases.

answermeridional ;