Aquatics: 2_Aquatic Ecosystems Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are Algal Blooms?
Large growths of algae in a water body, often occurring when nutrient levels are high.
What is Biodiversity?
The variety and array of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems.
What is Chlorophyll-A?
A photosynthetic pigment found in algae and other plants, used as an indicator of algal biomass in water.
What is Cultural Eutrophication?
The process of a lake becoming more productive due to human-induced addition of nutrients.
What are Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)?
A type of bacteria found in water that can photosynthesize and form blooms, some of which produce toxins.
What is Dissolved Oxygen?
The amount of oxygen gas dissolved in water, essential for the survival of most aquatic organisms.
What are Endangered Species?
A species at immediate risk of extirpation (local extinction) or extinction (global extinction).
What does Eutrophic mean?
Describes a lake that is highly productive with high nutrient levels, high algal growth, and typically low water clarity and dissolved oxygen.
What does Extirpated mean?
Describes a species that no longer exists in the wild within a specific geographical region but continues to exist elsewhere in the wild.
What are Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)?
Algal blooms that produce toxins or cause other harmful effects to the environment, humans, or animals.
What does Hypereutrophic mean?
Describes a lake that is incredibly productive, often dominated by algal scums and experiencing very low dissolved oxygen levels.
What is a Limiting Nutrient?
A nutrient that is in shortest supply relative to the needs of organisms, thereby limiting their growth. In many lakes, phosphorus is the limiting nutrient for algae.
What is Limnology?
The scientific study of inland waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands.
What are Macrophytes?
Larger aquatic plants that are typically rooted to the lake bottom.
What does Mesotrophic mean?
Describes a lake that is moderately productive, with moderate nutrient levels, algal growth, water clarity, and dissolved oxygen.
What is Non-Point Source Pollution?
Pollution that comes from diffuse sources across a landscape, such as agricultural runoff and stormwater.
What does Oligotrophic mean?
Describes a lake that is the least productive, with low nutrient levels, low algal growth, and high water clarity and dissolved oxygen.
What is Paleolimnology?
The study of lake sediments to reconstruct the ecological history of a lake over long time scales.
What is Phytoplankton?
Free-floating microscopic algae that are responsible for the majority of primary production in lakes.
What is Point Source Pollution?
Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as a wastewater treatment plant discharge pipe.
What is Primary Production?
The process by which organisms, primarily algae and plants, convert light energy into organic matter through photosynthesis.
What is Produced Water?
Water that is extracted from the earth along with oil and gas, often containing contaminants.
What is a Riparian Area (Zone)?
The land area immediately adjacent to a water body where the vegetation and ecosystem are strongly influenced by the presence of water.
What is Secchi Depth?
A measure of water clarity, determined by the depth at which a black and white disk (Secchi disk) is no longer visible.
