Aquatic Environment

Question 1

Source:

Answer 1

A reservoir that releases more nutrients or materials of interest than it accepts.

Question 2

Reservoir

Answer 2

A location where nutrients or materials in a cycle remain for a period of time, also called a pool.

Question 3

Sink

Answer 3

A reservoir that takes in more nutrients or materials than it releases.

Question 4

Flux

Answer 4

The rate of flow of energy or materials between compartments in an ecosystem.

Question 5

Steady State:

Answer 5

A condition where the inputs and outputs are equal, leading to no net change in the system.

Question 6

Residence Time:

Answer 6

The average time an atom or molecule stays in a reservoir.

Question 7

Turnover Time:

Answer 7

The time it takes for all atoms of a material to move through a reservoir.

Question 8

Intertidal Zone:

Answer 8

The area between the high and low tide lines.

Question 9

Continental Zone:

Answer 9

Not explicitly defined in the document.

Question 10

Aphotic zone

Answer 10

The deeper part of a body of water; not enough light for photosynthesis.

Question 11

Photic Zone:

Answer 11

The upper layer of water in a body of water, receiving sufficient light for photosynthesis.

Question 12

Benthic Zone:

Answer 12

The lowest ecological zone in a body of water, including the sediment surface and sub-surface layers.

Question 13

Plankton:

Answer 13

Small and microscopic organisms drifting or floating in the sea or freshwater.

Question 14

Pelagic Zone:

Answer 14

The open ocean, not close to the shore or the ocean bottom.

Question 15

Littoral Zone:

Answer 15

A shallow zone near the shore in a freshwater habitat, where light reaches the bottom.

Question 16

Limnetic Zone:

Answer 16

A zone of open water in lakes and ponds where photosynthesis can occur, away from the shore.

Question 17

Identify the largest reservoirs and fluxes of the hydrologic cycle.

Answer 17

The largest reservoirs in the hydrologic cycle, as mentioned in the document, are the oceans, which hold the vast majority of Earth’s water. The document also describes the largest fluxes in the cycle, which include the processes of evaporation from these oceans, and precipitation, both over the oceans and on land. These fluxes represent the major movements of water within the cycle.

Question 18

Calculate residence time or turnover time, based on the definitions given.

Answer 18

To calculate residence time or turnover time based on the definitions provided in the document, you use the formula: Residence Time = Size of the Reservoir / Flux.

This calculation requires knowing the size of the reservoir (the amount of the substance in the reservoir) and the flux (the rate at which the substance enters or leaves the reservoir). For example, if you’re calculating the residence time of water in a lake, you would need to know the total volume of water in the lake (the reservoir size) and the rate at which water enters or leaves the lake (the flux). The result will give you an average time that a molecule of water spends in that lake before moving on.

To calculate residence time or turnover time using the information from the document “Bio2485_Lecture06_AquaticEnvs.pdf,” follow these steps:

Identify the Size of the Reservoir: This is the total amount of the material in the reservoir. For example, if you’re calculating the residence time of water in a lake, this would be the total volume of water in the lake.
Determine the Flux: This is the rate at which the material enters or leaves the reservoir. In the case of our lake example, this could be the rate at which water flows into and out of the lake.
Use the Formula: Residence Time = Reservoir Size / Flux. This will give you the average time that a unit of material (like a molecule of water) spends in the reservoir.
Without specific data provided in the document, such as the size of a specific reservoir or the rate of flux, I can’t perform an exact calculation. However, this method can be applied to any system once you have the necessary data.

Question 19

Describe the relative abundance of fresh water vs. salt water.

Answer 19

The document “Bio2485_Lecture06_AquaticEnvs.pdf” explains that the Earth’s water is predominantly saltwater, found in oceans, which accounts for about 97.5% of all water. Freshwater constitutes only about 2.5% of the total water on Earth. This freshwater is found in glaciers, ice caps, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and the atmosphere. This significant difference highlights the scarcity of freshwater resources compared to the abundance of saltwater in the world’s oceans.

Question 20

Identify differences between headwaters and downstream sections of rivers. answer the following question using the document above

Answer 20

The document “Bio2485_Lecture06_AquaticEnvs.pdf” describes the differences between headwaters and downstream sections of rivers. Headwaters, typically found in higher elevation areas, are characterized by their narrowness, shallow depth, and rapid flow. They often have clearer water with higher oxygen levels and lower temperatures. The streambed is usually rocky.

In contrast, downstream sections of rivers are generally wider and deeper with a slower flow. They often have murkier water due to the higher sediment content. The oxygen levels and temperatures can vary more than in headwaters. The streambed in downstream sections is usually composed of finer sediments like silt and sand. These differences in physical characteristics lead to variations in the types of organisms and ecological processes found in headwaters compared to downstream river sections.

Question 21

Describe the differences between oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic, and hypereutrophic lakes. use the document above to answer the following question

Answer 21

The document “Bio2485_Lecture06_AquaticEnvs.pdf” describes the differences between oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic, and hypereutrophic lakes:

Oligotrophic Lakes: These lakes are nutrient-poor and have low productivity. They typically have clear water, are well oxygenated, and support fish species like lake trout but have otherwise low biodiversity.
Mesotrophic Lakes: These have a moderate level of nutrients, supporting some plant and algal growth. They are usually oxygenated and have a diverse fish community.
Eutrophic Lakes: Characterized by high nutrient levels, these lakes support a lot of plant and algal growth. They often have turbid water with poor light penetration but can support a large fish community.
Hypereutrophic Lakes: These lakes have extremely high nutrient levels and support a lot of algae. They tend to have highly turbid water, poor light penetration, low oxygen levels, and may have small or no fish communities due to frequent algal death and decomposition.

Question 22

Identify where the highest productivity marine environments are found and explain why (note the importance of upwelling in your answer). use the document above to answer the question

Answer 22

The document “Bio2485_Lecture06_AquaticEnvs.pdf” indicates that the highest productivity in marine environments is often found in regions of upwelling. Upwelling is a process where deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water rises to the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, surface water. This influx of nutrients fuels the growth of phytoplankton, which forms the base of the marine food web. As a result, these areas support a higher density of marine life, including commercially important fish species. Coastal regions, where upwelling is common, are therefore among the most productive marine environments.

Question 23

Explain the potential consequences of eutrophication. use the document above to answer the following questions The document “Bio2485_Lecture06_AquaticEnvs.pdf” discusses the potential consequences of eutrophication, which include:

Algal Blooms: Excess nutrients can lead to significant increases in algae and phytoplankton growth, causing algal blooms.
Reduced Oxygen Levels: The decomposition of algae, especially following blooms, consumes oxygen, leading to lower oxygen levels in the water.
Impact on Aquatic Life: Low oxygen levels can harm fish and other aquatic organisms, sometimes leading to mass die-offs.
Formation of Dead Zones: Severely low oxygen levels can create “dead zones,” where most marine life cannot survive.
Impact on Water Quality: Eutrophication can decrease the clarity and quality of water, affecting its usability for human purposes.
These effects demonstrate the significant impact of nutrient pollution on aquatic ecosystems.

Answer 23

The document “Bio2485_Lecture06_AquaticEnvs.pdf” discusses the potential consequences of eutrophication, which include:

Algal Blooms: Excess nutrients can lead to significant increases in algae and phytoplankton growth, causing algal blooms.
Reduced Oxygen Levels: The decomposition of algae, especially following blooms, consumes oxygen, leading to lower oxygen levels in the water.
Impact on Aquatic Life: Low oxygen levels can harm fish and other aquatic organisms, sometimes leading to mass die-offs.
Formation of Dead Zones: Severely low oxygen levels can create “dead zones,” where most marine life cannot survive.
Impact on Water Quality: Eutrophication can decrease the clarity and quality of water, affecting its usability for human purposes.
These effects demonstrate the significant impact of nutrient pollution on aquatic ecosystems.