Estuaries
Body of water in which freshwater from the river meets and mixes with salt water from the ocean. (The ocean’s nurseries)
Stewardship
Humans should use the water in a way the pr
Upwelling
The flow of cold nutrient-rich water from the bottom of the ocean to the surface waters.
Commensalism
A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits without harming the other species.
Universal Solvent
As water passes through the water cycle it dissolves minerals and gasses and carries them to the oceans.
Hydrosphere
All of the water found on, above, and under the Earth’s surface.
pH
(Power of Hydrogen ) Measurement of acid in the water, how acidic or basic the water is.
Turbidity
Clarity of the water system, or many solid particles are in the water.
Salinity
The amount of salt in a given amount of water. Measured in PPT (parts per thousand) River has .5 ppt and ocean water is between 32 and 37 ppt.
Ocean Basin
The part of Earth’s surface that is covered with ocean (salt) water.
Biotic
Living factors of an ecosystem.
Adhesion
When molecules of different types are drawn together.
Decomposers
An organism that gains energy from breaking down the remains of dead organisms and waste of living things.
Population
All the organisms of a species that LIVE in the same area and are competing for resources (food, water, shelter).
Ecosystems
All living and nonliving parts of an environment as well as all interactions among them.
Autotrophs
All producers are called autotrophs. (Including algae, plants, some bacteria)
Glacier
Mass of ice and snow that moves slowly over the Earth’s surface. (2.15% of global fresh water)
Pollutant
Any substance that has a negative effect on the ecosystem.
Community
All populations that live in a set area during the same time period. (Example, deer, raccoons, bears, turtles, snakes, fish, insects all living in a forest area
Watersheds
Areas of land that drains into a stream, river, lake or other body of water
Species
A group of organisms that share most characteristics and can reproduce offspring.
Surface Tension
The tightness across the water molecules pulling together. (Water has the highest surface tension of all liquids)
Aquifer
Large stores of fresh water in soil and rock below the Earth’s surfac
Non-Point Pollution
Pollution without a single identifiable source.
Infiltration
Water on the ground enters and permeates through the soil.
Parasitism
A symbiotic relationship between a parasite and a host. One species benefits while another species is harmed
Algal Bloom
Extremely rapid growth of algae in a water ecosystem caused by nutrients (nitrates and phosphates).
Heterotrophs
All animals that are consumers of other organisms.
Zooplankton
Microscopic organisms in the water.
Symbiosis
A close relationship between two different species living together. The three types are mutualism, commensalism and parasitism.
Groundwater
Water below the Earth’s surface. (.62% of global fresh water
Cohesion
When one molecules of one type are drawn to each other.
Abiotic
All nonliving parts of an ecosystem, such as light, weather, soil and water
Fresh Water
Water that is not salty (saline).
Hydrological Cycle
The movement of water from the Earth into the air and back to the Earth
Runoff
Water that flows over the land to rivers, lakes and oceans.
Point Source Pollution
Pollution that does come from a single identifiable source.
Bioindicator
Organisms used to measure the health of an ecosystem.