The Aquatic Environment Flashcards
Water cycle
movement of water between atmosphere and Earth by way of precipitation and evaporation
cohesion
tendency of water molecules to resist outside forces due to H bonding
viscosity
measure of force necessary to separtae molecules of water
buoyancy
upward force of water on an object less dense than water
thermocline
zone of rapid temperature change
epilimnion
warm, low density surface waters
hypolimnion
cold, high density deep waters
upwelling
a movement of surface waters by currents or wind that bings nutrient loaded cooler water to the surface
light attenuation
photosynthesis
water balance
maintenance of the balance of water between organisms and their surrounding environments
Physical weathering
combined action of water, wind, temperature to break down rocks
chemical weathering
dependent on water, oxygen, acids result from activity of micro-organisms(some fungi)
leaching
dissolving and washing of nutrients out of soil, litter, and organic matter
soil profile
distinctive layering of horizons in the soil (organic, topsoil, subsoil, unconsolidated material
wilting point
moisture level at which plants can no longer take up water
field capacity
amount of water retained in soil after excess water has drained away
saturation point
when soil can no longer hold any more water
ion
H+ cation, NO3 anion
ion exchange capacity
total # of negatively charged sites;ability to hold + charged particles
fall turnover
lose stratification and layers mix, O2 to bottom and nutrients go to surface
soil
natural body that consists of layers(horizons), composed of minerals, which differ from parent material from which it is derived
