Aquatic systems

Question 1

Aquatic biomes
Classified by physical characteristics

Answer 1

• Depth
• Flow
• Salinity

Question 2

Lotic

Answer 2

characterized by flowing freshwater

Question 3

Ecological zones

Answer 3

based on
proximity to shore, light
penetration

Question 4

Temperature driven
circulation

Answer 4

brings to
nutrients from sediment to
surface seasonally

Question 5

Summer stratification

Answer 5

surface
waters gain heat faster than
deeper waters, and float on the
surface

Question 6

Autumn overturn

Answer 6

Surface waters cool and
sink + winds → mixing
with deep waters

Question 7

Winter stratification

Answer 7

surface
freezes, 0 °C water floats
beneath. 4 °C water, denser,
sinks to bottom

Question 8

Spring overturn

Answer 8

surface waters
warm to 4 °C and sink + winds →
mixing with deeper water

Question 9

Freshwater

Answer 9

swamps, marshes
and bogs

Question 10

Saltwater

Answer 10

marshes and
mangrove swamps
– Salt marshes often found in/around
estuaries, nutrient-rich, highly
productive
– Mangroves prevent shoreline
erosion. Also found in estuaries

Question 11

Intertidal zones

Answer 11

rocky or mudflats
– harsh fluctuating conditions (temperature,
moisture, salt)

Question 12

Coral reefs

Answer 12

– Shallow ~20 °C waters. Exoskeleton of corals
(small animals) = reef structure
– High biodiversity!

Question 13

Open ocean

Answer 13

generally sparse nutrients,
low productivity
– Photic vs. Aphotic zones

Question 14

Control of movement through water

Answer 14

• Buoyancy control: swim bladder (bony fish), oil storage
  (droplets in algae, fatty livers in sharks)
• Stream-lined body shapes

Question 15

Osmoregulation

Answer 15

• Salt/water balance a challenge
• Specialized kidneys
  − Salt-water fish conserve H20
  − Fresh-water fish conserve solutes
• Retention of urea in some sharks
• Secretion of salt from mangrove
  leaves

Question 16

Spotted salamander- algae
mutualism:

Answer 16

• Eggs provide CO2
  to the algae,
  algae provide O2
  to the eggs.
• Eggs with algae hatch faster and
  larger.

Question 17

Coral bleaching

Answer 17

• Corals provide CO2
  to zooxanthellae
  (an algae), receive O2
  and sugars
• High temperatures cause algae to be
  expelled:
  – Coral loses color and symbiotic benefits
  – 1 °C above average is enough
  – 2-3 °C higher → coral death