factors

Question 1

What is the difference in biological diversity between inland waters and marine waters?

Answer 1

Marine waters have a much higher biological diversity.

Question 2

Why are inland water bodies so inhospitable compared to marine?

Answer 2

-water levels are much more variable, may be dry for decades and refill
-not affected by moons pull, no waves=less biodiversity
-greater temperature fluctuations

Question 3

Marine vs. fresh waters pH.

Answer 3

Marine waters have a stable pH (8.1-8.3). Inland waters range varies (anywhere from >11-<4)

Question 4

Marine vs. fresh waters salinity.

Answer 4

Marine: 3.5% NaCl
Inland: highly diluted, variety of ions (salt-water lakes are also many ions; only some are NaCl

Question 5

Marine vs. fresh waters organisms relationship to water.

Answer 5

Marine organisms body fluids are isotonic to seawater.
Freshwater organisms actively prevent water from entering to equalize concentration of body fluids.

Question 6

2 adaptations to freshwater

Answer 6

-ability to survive prolonged dessication
-skip “vulnerable” larval stages