Question

read the article below
\a walk through the rainbow with pace\
by jessica merzdorf
why are there so many songs about rainbows? for nasa’s upcoming plankton, aerosol, cloud, ocean ecosystem mission, or pace, the colors of the rainbow - or, if you prefer, the visible wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum — are the key to unlocking a
wealth of new data on skies and seas around the world.
pace’s high - resolution instruments will see ocean and atmosphere features in unparalleled detail when the mission launches in 2023. by measuring the intensity of the color that exits earth’s ocean surface,
pace will capture fine details about phytoplankton — tiny plantlike organisms and algae that live in the ocean— that are the basis of the marine food web and generate half of earth’s oxygen. beneficial
phytoplankton communities fuel fisheries, but harmful algal blooms (habs) can poison animals and humans and disrupt tourism and fishing industries.
understanding phytoplankton health can help predict harmful algal blooms, or habs. when substances from land wash into the ocean, they sometimes become a feast for algae, allowing them to eat, grow
and multiply rapidly. habs can generate harmful toxins that sicken marine wildlife and humans and deplete oxygen in the water as bacteria feed on numerous dead algae.
“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 cetinic. “it’s just that today we’re looking for it
more, and also anthropogenic influences are making blooms more prevalent.”
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.

based on the article “a walk through the rainbow with pace,” what can you logically infer about the significance of pace and its study of phytoplankton populations? (choose all that apply)
(1 point)
□ pace will provide ocean images of the ocean that can help track phytoplankton health
□ pace is mainly designed to measure rainfall and weather patterns across the globe
□ studying phytoplankton is important because they produce a large amount of earth’s oxygen
□ pace will help scientists better predict harmful algae blooms that can threaten human and marine life
□ harmful algal blooms have always existed, but human activity has made them more frequent

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option against the article:

1. Option 1: "PACE will provide oceanic images of the ocean that can help track phytoplankton health"

The article states PACE’s instruments “see ocean and atmosphere features in unparalleled detail” and “capture fine details about phytoplankton” by measuring color intensity. This supports the claim.

1. Option 2: "PACE is mainly designed to measure rainfall and weather patterns across the globe"

The article focuses on PACE studying phytoplankton, ocean ecosystems, and atmospheric/aerosol/cloud data—no mention of rainfall/weather pattern measurement as its main goal. Eliminate.

1. Option 3: "Studying phytoplankton is important because they produce a large amount of Earth’s oxygen"

The article says phytoplankton “generate half of Earth’s oxygen,” so studying them is important for this reason. This is valid.

1. Option 4: "PACE will help scientists better predict harmful algae blooms that can threaten human and marine life"

The article states “Understanding phytoplankton health can help predict harmful algal blooms” and PACE captures phytoplankton details. Thus, PACE aids prediction. Valid.

1. Option 5: "Harmful algal blooms have always existed, but human activity has made them more frequent"

The article quotes “Harmful algal blooms are not recent… anthropogenic influences are making blooms more prevalent,” confirming this. Valid.

Answer:

• PACE will provide oceanic images of the ocean that can help track phytoplankton health
• Studying phytoplankton is important because they produce a large amount of Earth’s oxygen
• PACE will help scientists better predict harmful algae blooms that can threaten human and marine life
• Harmful algal blooms have always existed, but human activity has made them more frequent