After a large volcanic eruption, a cloud dense with volcanic ash and pollution can stretch over a sizable portion of the Atlantic Ocean.Select the sentence that best describes the effect this event would be likely to have on phytoplankton and other oceanic wildlife. A) Phytoplankton populations would diminish because of limited light penetrance, resulting in population declines in species dependent on phytoplankton as a food source. B) Phytoplankton populations would thrive with the additional nutrients provided by the volcanic ash, resulting in population increases in species dependent on phytoplankton as a food source. C) Phytoplankton populations would remain unchanged as a result of this type of natural disaster. D) The species distribution in phytoplankton populations would change, shifting toward species that are able to make sugars using photosynthesis. E) There would be a dramatic decrease in atmospheric CO₂ as phytoplankton converted the limited supply into sugars using photosynthesis.

Question

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The dense cloud of volcanic ash and pollution would limit the amount of light that can penetrate the ocean, which would in turn cause a decrease in phytoplankton populations. This decrease would then result in population declines in species dependent on phytoplankton as a food source.

After a Large Volcanic Eruption, a Cloud Dense with Volcanic