Floating in the upper layer of the atmosphere, a group of scientifical

Floating in the upper layer of the atmosphere, a group of scientifically made particles collects and transmits data on the interactions between cosmic rays and man-made pollutants, interactions that affect the climate throughout the world.

What affects the climate?
Could it be "cosmic rays and man-made pollutants" (as C E say), but in this case the singular verb is wrong: out C and E.

The word "as" is used to compare functions:
I was hired as an intern (with the function of an intern). " (...) pollutants as the climate" makes no sense.

(A) pollutants, interactions that affect
(B) pollutants, with interactions affecting

B says that "particles collects and transmits (data) with interactions affecting (..)". This is nonsensical because it suggests that the actions of "collect" and "transmit" are done with interactions affecting the climate.

A is correct.

It made me think for a while and i stopped on option A as the best and i was right. But would it be better/correct to use semicolumn instead of comma after pollutants in option A?

This a noun + noun modifier question widely tested in few GMAT prep and OG question

Option C and D s/v agreement
Option E "as" is incorrectly used here distorts the meaning of sentence

Between A and B

A is best!

Here the explanations:
A) pollutants - plural is ok. comma followed by the " interactions " separate the clause with interactions being the subject of the second clause. so structurally correct.
B) pollutants, with interactions affecting - seems awkward with directing to pollutants as the subject of second clause. " affecting " is not parallel with the main verb "collects and transmits"
C) pollutants that affects -Again the structurally wrong as directing to "pollutants" as the subject.
D) pollutants that is affecting-same as B but the helping verb is SINGULAR which is wrong with the subject "pollutants ". Again the structurally wrong as directing to "pollutants" as the subject of second clause.
E) pollutants as affects - awkward as the meaning of the second clause not clear.

Floating in the upper layer of the atmosphere, a group of scientifically made particles collects and transmits data on the interactions between cosmic rays and man-made pollutants, interactions that affect the climate throughout the world.


A. pollutants, interactions that affect - No Remarks

B. pollutants, with interactions affecting - verb is missing

C. pollutants that affects - S-V agreement error and meaning error

D. pollutants that is affecting - S-V agreement error and meaning error

E. pollutants as affects - as is used as preposition and not the correct usage. Meaning error