Chapter 3: Bodies Of Water Flashcards
Climate
Weather conditions of a specific area averaged over a long period of time, usually 30 years.
Convection
The process of heat transfer from one place to another by the movement of warm fluids from place to place.
Specific heat capacity
The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a specific amount of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.
**A high specific heat capacity means that it takes a large amount of heat to increase its temperature a small amount.
Weather
The short-term conditions in the atmosphere at a specific place and time.
** in class we referred to this as a snapshot in time.
El Niño
During _____________, the equatorial trade winds decrease. There are unusually warm ocean temperatures.
El niña
During ___________, the Equatorial trade winds increase, allowing continuous upwelling of cooler water. There are unusually cold ocean temperatures.
Bioindicator species
Organisms that are sensitive to pollution or other environmental changes; monitoring the number of these organisms helps scientists to gather information about the health of an ecosystem.
Bioluminescence
Light produced by chemical reactions in the bodies of some living marine organisms.
Estuary
An area of wetlands in that builds up where a river meets the ocean.
Phytoplankton
Microscopic plant-like organisms that are a major source of food for many species of fish.
Wetland
A lowland area that is saturated with water for part or all of the year.
Zooplankton
Tiny microscopic animals that eat other types of plankton for food; also a food source for larger animals.
Acid precipitation
Precipitation that carries acids formed by nitrogen and suffer oxides, produced by coal and burning gasoline, that have combined with water in the air.
Aquaculture
The growing and harvesting of marine species in a controlled marine area.
May also be referred to as a “fish farm”.
Invasive species
A new or foreign species that is introduced into a food web.
