Scientists are looking to determine the primary productivity of a lake by analyzing its oxygen net primary productivity. How are scientists able to measure how much oxygen is used during a plant's cellular respiration processes?

A. by observing cellular respiration only when photosynthesis occurs
B. by observing cellular respiration under bright light conditions
C. by observing cellular respiration under the absence of light
D. by observing cellular respiration by studying biomagnification

C. by observing cellular respiration under the absence of light