Researchers determine the population of phytoplankton in an area of the ocean is significantly decreased compared to the previous year. What can they conclude from this observation?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The plankton as a carbon sink will be greater than expected, but the plankton as a carbon source will be less than expected.
The plankton as a carbon sink will be greater than expected, but the plankton as a carbon source will be less than expected.

The plankton as a carbon sink and as a carbon source in the area will be less than expected.
The plankton as a carbon sink and as a carbon source in the area will be less than expected.

The plankton as a carbon sink will be less than expected, but the plankton as a carbon source will be greater than expected.
The plankton as a carbon sink will be less than expected, but the plankton as a carbon source will be greater than expected.

The plankton as a carbon sink and as a carbon source in the area will be greater than expected.

Answer 1

Based on the observation that the population of phytoplankton has significantly decreased compared to the previous year, researchers can conclude that:

The plankton as a carbon sink will be less than expected, but the plankton as a carbon source will be greater than expected.

This is because a decrease in phytoplankton implies that there is less biomass to sequester carbon (acting as a carbon sink), while a reduced population could also mean that more carbon is being released back into the environment due to the breakdown of organic materials (acting as a carbon source).