Answer:
The best choice that effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement is:
B) For both depth ranges measured, the average concentrations of nitrate were substantially higher in the seawater in the lava-affected area than in the seawater outside of the lava-affected area.
Explanation:
To determine which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement, let's analyze each option using the given data.
**Data from the table:**
- Nitrate (micromoles per liter):
- Seawater in lava-affected area, 5-45 meters below surface: 3.1
- Seawater in lava-affected area, 75-125 meters below surface: 0.4
- Seawater outside of lava-affected area, 5-45 meters below surface: 0.08
- Seawater outside of lava-affected area, 75-125 meters below surface: 0.01
- Phosphate (micromoles per liter):
- Seawater in lava-affected area, 5-45 meters below surface: 0.17
- Seawater in lava-affected area, 75-125 meters below surface: 0.09
- Seawater outside of lava-affected area, 5-45 meters below surface: 0.14
- Seawater outside of lava-affected area, 75-125 meters below surface: 0.06
**Options Analysis:**
**A) At 5-45 meters below the surface, the average concentration of phosphate was about the same in the seawater in the lava-affected area as in the seawater outside of the lava-affected area.**
- In the lava-affected area: 0.17
- Outside of the lava-affected area: 0.14
- These values are close, so this statement is reasonably accurate.
**B) For both depth ranges measured, the average concentrations of nitrate were substantially higher in the seawater in the lava-affected area than in the seawater outside of the lava-affected area.**
- 5-45 meters:
- Lava-affected: 3.1
- Outside: 0.08
- 75-125 meters:
- Lava-affected: 0.4
- Outside: 0.01
- The nitrate concentration is indeed substantially higher in the lava-affected area for both depth ranges.
**C) For both depth ranges measured in the seawater in the lava-affected area, the average concentrations of nitrate were substantially higher than the average concentrations of phosphate.**
- 5-45 meters:
- Nitrate: 3.1
- Phosphate: 0.17
- 75-125 meters:
- Nitrate: 0.4
- Phosphate: 0.09
- Nitrate concentrations are higher than phosphate concentrations in both depth ranges for the lava-affected area.
**D) In the seawater outside of the lava-affected area, there was little change in the average concentration of nitrate from 75-125 meters below the surface to 5-45 meters below the surface.**
- 75-125 meters: 0.01
- 5-45 meters: 0.08
- There is a significant change in nitrate concentration outside of the lava-affected area between these depth ranges.
so,the best option is B.