The Aquatic Environment

Question 1

Water cycle

Answer 1

movement of water between atmosphere and Earth by way of precipitation and evaporation

Question 2

cohesion

Answer 2

tendency of water molecules to resist outside forces due to H bonding

Question 3

viscosity

Answer 3

measure of force necessary to separtae molecules of water

Question 4

buoyancy

Answer 4

upward force of water on an object less dense than water

Question 5

thermocline

Answer 5

zone of rapid temperature change

Question 6

epilimnion

Answer 6

warm, low density surface waters

Question 7

hypolimnion

Answer 7

cold, high density deep waters

Question 8

upwelling

Answer 8

a movement of surface waters by currents or wind that bings nutrient loaded cooler water to the surface

Question 9

light attenuation

Answer 9

photosynthesis

Question 10

water balance

Answer 10

maintenance of the balance of water between organisms and their surrounding environments

Question 11

Physical weathering

Answer 11

combined action of water, wind, temperature to break down rocks

Question 12

chemical weathering

Answer 12

dependent on water, oxygen, acids result from activity of micro-organisms(some fungi)

Question 13

leaching

Answer 13

dissolving and washing of nutrients out of soil, litter, and organic matter

Question 14

soil profile

Answer 14

distinctive layering of horizons in the soil (organic, topsoil, subsoil, unconsolidated material

Question 15

wilting point

Answer 15

moisture level at which plants can no longer take up water

Question 16

field capacity

Answer 16

amount of water retained in soil after excess water has drained away

Question 17

saturation point

Answer 17

when soil can no longer hold any more water

Question 18

ion

Answer 18

H+ cation, NO3 anion

Question 19

ion exchange capacity

Answer 19

total # of negatively charged sites;ability to hold + charged particles

Question 20

fall turnover

Answer 20

lose 
stratification 
and layers mix, 
O2 to bottom and
nutrients go to surface

Question 21

soil

Answer 21

natural body that consists of layers(horizons), composed of minerals, which differ from parent material from which it is derived