Ecologist Maya Chen's 2022 study of the Great Barrier Reef found that reefs a…

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Ecologist Maya Chen's 2022 study of the Great Barrier Reef found that reefs adjacent to seagrass meadows experienced 40 percent less coral bleaching during marine heat waves than isolated reefs. Chen attributes this protective effect to the seagrass's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, thereby reducing local water acidification. Based on the text, which of the following best explains why reefs near seagrass meadows experienced less bleaching?

• A.The seagrass physically blocks heat from reaching the coral.
• B.The seagrass provides supplementary food sources for the coral.
• C.The coral migrates toward the seagrass during heat waves.
• D.The seagrass absorbs carbon dioxide, lowering local water acidity.