In the Gulf of Mexico's 'de@d zone,' every summer aquatic life is smothered in an area as large as the state of New Jersey, <which, according to scientists, is caused by excess nitrogen flushed down the Mississippi River.>

A) which, according to scientists, is caused by excess nitrogen flushed down the Mississippi River.-which modifies New Jersey instead of aquantic life smothering-

B) which scientists say is caused by excess nitrogen flushed down the Mississippi River..-which modifies New Jersey instead of aquantic life smothering-


C) the cause of which, according to scientists, is excess nitrogen flushed down the Mississippi River.-I think here which is used instead of smothering in the area so this sentence is the correct one-

D) the cause of which is excess nitrogen flushed down the Mississippi River say the scientists.-after which we need comma because here the cause of which is ... distorts the meaning-
E) that comes from the flushing of excess nitrogen down the Mississippi River, according to scientists.[/quote]-, and that cannot be used together that introduce a clause which contains subject verb and additional things i.e adverbs OUT-

What's the OA ?

C for me too..well explained above

C it is...

perfect stanger, what is the fundae you were putting for the usage of "that"

In C, how are the two clauses connected after a , isn't it a case of run on sentence?