求救：OG38的语法结构，郁闷中

请问一下哪位大大能帮我解释一下这个语法结构，

38. Scientists have observed large concentrations of
heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there.
(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there

findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area           结构为主句，n(findings)+修饰语：这里的findings+修饰语是什么作用呢，不象是同位语，如果findings指代的是前面整个句子的话，那么又是什么语法现象呢

我的理解是：<large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of sediments from the Baltic Sea>是observe的研究对象；而findings是observe的结果，那这种名词+修饰语是否可以理解为伴随状语呢？其简单句为Scientists have observed large concentrations of
heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments, and the findings is consistent with ....

但在语法书上没找到类似的例子，请大大们指教一下

是独立主格

楼主看一下下面针对这道题和独立主格的解释。

http://forum.chasedream.com/dispbbs.asp?BoardID=23&ID=75006&replyID=663574&skin=1

对E的解释有点不明白:

OG解释: In E, there is no logical place to which there could refer. 可是我觉得there很清楚就是指the area of Baltic Sea啊, 整个句子里又没有提到其它地方...

非常地confused:  

findings consistent with...到底是同位语,还是独立主格结构???

我个人偏向于认为是同位语,相当于findings (that are) consistent with...

OG Verbal Review上说findings refers back to
            the scientists' observations. 貌似也是在暗示这是同位语从句.现在的关键就是搞清楚同位语是否能指代一句话,之前看到的例子都是有明显指代物的. 

例:OG11-72,110,114    VerbalReview-16,77

NNs,help!

我也有此疑问，不过，也许是：同位语修饰相邻词，独立主格结构可以修饰一句话

终于下决心把独立主格结构和同位语的关系搞清楚. 从语法书上查来:
独立主格结构
（一）独立主格结构的构成
独立主格结构的构成方式为：名词普通格或代词主格 + 现在分词/过去分词/不定式/名词/形容词/副词/介词短语等。
使用独立主格结构是因为出现了与句子主语不一致的情况。
1．名词（或代词） + 现在分词
现在分词表示前面的名词或代词主动进行的动作或状态。如：
The man lay there,  his hands trembling.
有时，现在分词being或having been在独立主格结构中可以省略。如：
The weather（being）fine,  we decided to go on an outing.
 
2．名词（或代词） + 过去分词
过去分词表示前面的名词或代词被动完成的动作。如：
The girls lay on her back,  her hands crossed under her head.
 
3．名词（或代词） + 形容词（短语）
形容词（短语）在独立主格结构中说明前面名词或代词的性质、状态等。如：
The floor wet,  we had to stay outside for a while.
 
4．名词（或代词） + 副词
副词在独立主格结构中也多是说明名词或代词的状态。如：
The meeting over,  we all went home.
 
5．名词（或代词） + 介词短语
The teacher came in,  a book in his hand.
 
6．名词（或代词） + 不定式（短语）
不定式表示将来的动作。如：
He suggested going for a picnic,  Mary to provide the food.
有时独立主格结构中名词前的定语可以省略。如：
The boy sat quietly in the office,  (his) eyes closed/(a) book in (his) hand.
 
（二）独立主格结构的作用
1．作状语
1）表示时间
His homework done（=After his homework was done），Mary decided to go shopping.
2）表示原因
There being no buses（=Because there were no buses），we had to walk home.
3）表示条件
Weather permitting（=If weather permits），we’ll go to play basketball.
4）表示方式或伴随
He sat at the table,  head down.
2．作同位语
Many people joined in the work,  some of them women and children.
3．作定语
Close to the bank,  we saw deep pools,  the water blue like the sky.
（三）有时用with/without引导的复合结构作状语，在句中可作定语或状语。如：
Do you know the girl with a basket on her back ?

所以, 独立主格结构是一个语法现象,而同位语是语法功能,  独立主格结构可以做同位语. 因此这题的findings consistent...是独立主格结构做同位语.