What statement best describes the result of removing item A? A. There would be a decrease in total carbon levels due to the removal of a step in the carbon cycle.

B. There would be an increase in carbon stored in underground sinks due to the lesser number of steps in the carbon cycle.

C. There would be no effect on the carbon cycle because the removal of item A would be balanced out by other factors in the cycle.

D. There would be an increase in atmospheric carbon levels due to the removal of item A and the continued presence of items C and E.