Final answer:
The best-supported claim by the data is likely B, which suggests that the pH increases with greater light intensities because high light boosts photosynthesis and thus CO2 consumption. Excessive light intensity can harm algal growth through photoinhibition. In systems with equal bicarbonate levels, the one with lower CO2 pressure would have a higher pH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The data in Table 1 are not explicitly provided, but the given information allows us to infer that a change in pH is related to the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), due to the formation of carbonic acid when CO2 dissolves in water. Claim B is most likely the correct one, as it suggests that the change in pH over time indicates that the amount of CO2 is lower at greater light intensities. This is based on the understanding that higher light intensities typically increase the rate of photosynthesis in plants and algae, leading to greater uptake of CO2 from the environment, which in turn lowers the concentration of CO2 in the water and raises the pH.
It's important to note that light intensity does have an upper limit for the growth of algae, beyond which it could be harmful. Using light of too great intensity could lead to the photoinhibition of algal growth, where the light actually damages the photosynthetic apparatus within the algal cells, resulting in decreased photosynthesis and growth rates.
Finally, in terms of bicarbonate (HCO3−) and carbon dioxide equilibrium, if both systems, say A and B, are dosed with the same concentrations of bicarbonate ion, the system with the lower pCO2 (partial pressure of CO2) would typically have a higher pH, since less carbonic acid would be formed from the reaction of CO2 with water, leading to fewer H+ ions that would decrease pH.