Abiotic Factors in Acidic Aquatic Environments Flashcards
How do you measure buffering capacity?
What ions increase acidity in fresh water?
Hydrogen
How is the concentration of oxygen in a solution correlated with water temperature?
The concentration of oxygen in a solution is NEGATIVELY correlated with water temperature.
*Why does an increase of CO2 levels cause increased acidity in water.
Carbon dioxide reacts with water to create carbonic acid [CO2 + H2O = H2CO3] This results in more H+ ions in the water H2CO3 = H+ +HCO3- and thus increased acidity or lower pH values.
What factors affect the ‘natural’ pH of a water body
The catchment geology
The surrounding vegetation
What are acid sensitive catchments?
Aquatic systems that are in hard rock areas (granite)
What are acid sensitive catchments at risk from?
Additional acid generating pollutants
How do catchments cope with acidity?
Acid deposition reacts with the plants and soil to buffer the impact of acidification in freshwaters
What do abiotic factors mean?
Non-living factors that impact an ecosystem.
What are biota?
The living organisms of a region or habitat.
(fauna & flora)
At what pH do most organisms die
At long term pH levels of 5 most organisms dies
Overall acidic waters are less diverse
What is a wetland vegetation species found in acidic wetlands
Dominated by a genus of Sphagnum mosses that thrive in water with high pH (acidic)
