Red algae contains the pigment phycoerythrin. Phycoerythrin reflects red light and absorbs blue light. As blue light has the ability to penetrate water to great depths, phycoerythrin allows red algae to absorb the light needed to produce the fuel essential to their survival. Because of their need for light, red algae cannot survive in waters where the surface is covered with other plant life or debris. 300 years ago, Japanese cultures began cultivating red algae for food. The statements above, if true, most strongly support which of the following claims?
A: Red algae was not cultivated in Japan until 300 years ago.
B: 300 years ago, the Japanese had access to water with at least partially clear surfaces.
C: No light has the ability to penetrate to greater depths than blue light.
D: Surface water has increasingly become cluttered with debris and plant life since the Japanese began cultivating red algae 300 years ago.
Choose A, B, C or D as your solution.
B