“Harmful algal blooms are not recent. We have writings from indigenous tribes in the Pacific Northwest that talk about things happening on the beach,” said Cetinić. “It’s just that today we’re looking for it more, and also anthropogenic influences are making blooms more prevalent.”

Question

While naturally occurring minerals can run into the ocean and feed algae, chemicals produced by humans—lawn fertilizer, wastewater treatment chemicals and agricultural chemicals, for example—are a much greater culprit.

A Walk Through the Rainbow with PACE, NASA, July 17th, 2020, Jessica Merzdorf

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

What context clues help you verify the meaning of the word anthropogenic?

(1 point)
Responses

“things happening on the beach”
“things happening on the beach”

“chemicals produced by humans”
“chemicals produced by humans”

“Harmful algal blooms are not recent.”
“Harmful algal blooms are not recent.”

“naturally occurring minerals”
“naturally occurring minerals”

Answer 1

The context clues that help verify the meaning of the word "anthropogenic" are found in the phrase “chemicals produced by humans.” This indicates that anthropogenic refers to human-related or human-caused influences. Therefore, the correct response is:

“chemicals produced by humans”