Aquatic Environment

Question 1

Aquatic environment

Answer 1

It is the study of microorganisms and microbial community in water environments.

Question 2

Planktonic Environments

Answer 2

Microbial communities suspended in the water column.

Question 3

Phytoplankton

Answer 3

Photoautotrophic organisms within a community include Eukaryotes (algae) Prokaryotes (Cyanobacteria). These are the small plants which start food chain. If too many – make lake turbid.
Primary producers in food web using photosynthesis to fix CO2 into organic mater.

Question 4

Bacterioplankton

Answer 4

Suspended heterotrophic bacterial
population.

Question 5

Microbial loop

Answer 5

Pathway in which dissolved organic products are efficiently utilized.

Question 6

Zooplankton

Answer 6

Protozoan population. - small animals
- Predator of phytoplankton
- Prey for fish

Question 7

Benthos

Answer 7

Transition zone between the water column and the mineral subsurface. A diffuse and non compacted mixture of org. matter, mineral particulate material and water.

Question 8

Microbial mats

Answer 8

Interfacial aquatic habitat in which microbial groups are laterally compressed into a thin mat of biologically activity.

Question 9

PSB

Answer 9

Purple sulfur bacteria, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria.

Question 10

Biofilms

Answer 10

Layer of OM and microorganisms formed by attachment and proliferation of bacteria on the surface of an object.

Question 11

Limnology

Answer 11

Study of fresh water habitat is “limnology”.

Question 12

Micro limnology

Answer 12

Study of fresh water microorganisms is “micro-limnology”.

Question 13

Lotic environment

Answer 13

Plenty oxygen -Strong water current.

Question 14

Lentic environment

Answer 14

Low oxygen -Weak water current

Question 15

Springs

Answer 15

Springs form wherever subterranean water reaches the earth surface.

Question 16

River and streams

Answer 16

Spring flow away from their subsurface source merge with other water sources to form river & streams.

Question 17

Hyporheic

Answer 17

Hyporheos- an interface where the subsurface water table meets & interact with the stream bed.

Question 18

Littoral zone

Answer 18

Edge of the lake where sunlight can
penetrate to the bottom.

Question 19

Neuston zone

Answer 19

Air–water interface including the upper few millimeter of the water column. This layer is known to accumulate nutrients. Bacteria attach to this organic layer in a firm but reversible manner.

Question 20

Limnetic zone

Answer 20

Surface layer of open water away from
the littoral zone where light readily penetrates.

Question 21

Profundal zone

Answer 21

The area below the limnetic zone
where light intensity is less than 1% of the sunlight.

Question 22

Benthic zone

Answer 22

Consists of the lake bottom and
associated sediments.

Question 23

Epilimnion

Answer 23

Upper zone, warm, oxygen rich & low nutrient.

Question 24

Hypolimnion

Answer 24

Lower zone, low temp., low oxygen & nutrient rich.

Question 25

Thermocline

Answer 25

Middle zone, rapid change in temp. stratification occur which make lake static.

Question 26

Brackish water

Answer 26

A broad term used to describe water that is more saline than fresh water but less saline than true marine environments.

Question 27

Estuaries

Answer 27

Part of a river that meets the sea.

Question 28

Neuston layer

Answer 28

Surface of sea, air–water interface.

Question 29

Pelagic layer

Answer 29

Water column or planktonic habita.

Question 30

Epibiotic

Answer 30

Surfaces on which attached communities occur.

Question 31

Endobiotic

Answer 31

Organisms within the tissues of other larger organisms.