Which of the following was the dependent variable in the researcher’s study?

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High levels of certain plant nutrients in runoff can lead to rapid growth of algae (an algal bloom) in aquatic ecosystems. These algal blooms are generally followed by algal death and decomposition, which consumes large amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water and results in oxygen levels insufficient to support aerobic respiration. This process is known as eutrophication. The amount of algae present in a body of water can be estimated from the amount of chlorophyll a in a sample of the water. A researcher studying eutrophication collected samples at different times of the year in a freshwater ecosystem. The samples were analyzed for total nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentration (Figure 1) as well as total phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentration (Figure 2).

Which of the following was the dependent variable in the researcher’s study?
 
 
 
a.The variance of the data points from the trend line
 
b.The slope of the trend line showing the rate of change
 
c.The concentration of chlorophyll a
 
d.The concentration of total nitrogen and phosphorus
**Graphs Explaining the Relationship Between Nutrients and Chlorophyll a**

The images provided include two distinct graphs illustrating how the concentration of chlorophyll a correlates with the amounts of total nitrogen and total phosphorous in a given environment. Both graphs display the data using scatter plots with a trend line indicating the relationship between these variables.

**Figure 1: Amount of Chlorophyll a in Relation to the Amount of Total Nitrogen**

The first graph (Figure 1) illustrates the relationship between the amount of chlorophyll a (measured in mg·m^-3) and the total nitrogen concentration (measured in mg·m^-3). The x-axis represents total nitrogen, ranging from 0 to 800 mg·m^-3, while the y-axis represents total chlorophyll a, ranging from 0 to 35 mg·m^-3. There are six data points plotted, and a trend line showing a positive correlation, indicating that as the total nitrogen concentration increases, the amount of chlorophyll a also increases.

**Figure 2: Amount of Chlorophyll a in Relation to the Amount of Total Phosphorus**

The second graph (Figure 2) presents the relationship between the amount of chlorophyll a (measured in mg·m^-3) and the total phosphorus concentration (measured in mg·m^-3). The x-axis depicts total phosphorus, ranging from 0 to 80 mg·m^-3, while the y-axis again represents total chlorophyll a, ranging from 0 to 35 mg·m^-3. This graph also contains six data points with a trend line indicating a positive correlation. Similar to Figure 1, this suggests that as the total phosphorus concentration increases, the amount of chlorophyll a increases.

In summary, both graphs show a positive relationship between nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus) and the amount of chlorophyll a, highlighting the role of these nutrients in promoting chlorophyll a production in aquatic environments.
Transcribed Image Text:**Graphs Explaining the Relationship Between Nutrients and Chlorophyll a** The images provided include two distinct graphs illustrating how the concentration of chlorophyll a correlates with the amounts of total nitrogen and total phosphorous in a given environment. Both graphs display the data using scatter plots with a trend line indicating the relationship between these variables. **Figure 1: Amount of Chlorophyll a in Relation to the Amount of Total Nitrogen** The first graph (Figure 1) illustrates the relationship between the amount of chlorophyll a (measured in mg·m^-3) and the total nitrogen concentration (measured in mg·m^-3). The x-axis represents total nitrogen, ranging from 0 to 800 mg·m^-3, while the y-axis represents total chlorophyll a, ranging from 0 to 35 mg·m^-3. There are six data points plotted, and a trend line showing a positive correlation, indicating that as the total nitrogen concentration increases, the amount of chlorophyll a also increases. **Figure 2: Amount of Chlorophyll a in Relation to the Amount of Total Phosphorus** The second graph (Figure 2) presents the relationship between the amount of chlorophyll a (measured in mg·m^-3) and the total phosphorus concentration (measured in mg·m^-3). The x-axis depicts total phosphorus, ranging from 0 to 80 mg·m^-3, while the y-axis again represents total chlorophyll a, ranging from 0 to 35 mg·m^-3. This graph also contains six data points with a trend line indicating a positive correlation. Similar to Figure 1, this suggests that as the total phosphorus concentration increases, the amount of chlorophyll a increases. In summary, both graphs show a positive relationship between nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus) and the amount of chlorophyll a, highlighting the role of these nutrients in promoting chlorophyll a production in aquatic environments.
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