Word |
Definition |
algae |
Very small one-celled plants that often grow in colonies |
buoy |
A floating device, which can collect information about the conditions in the water |
chlorophyll |
The green pigment in plants that makes photosynthesis possible (and gives plants their green color) |
chlorophyll a |
A type of chlorophyll (green pigment that makes photosynthesis possible) that is measured to determine the amount of algae in water |
clarity |
A measure of how clear the water is |
control tank |
In science experiments, the tank that is used as a yardstick to measure the results in the experimental tank |
decomposed |
Decayed or broken down into basic elements |
dissolved oxygen |
Oxygen trapped in between water molecules that plants and animals need in order to live |
drought |
An extended period of unusually dry weather |
emissions |
Gases and tiny particles that are released into the air as our car engines work |
erosion |
A natural process in which rocks and soils are broken down by wind and water |
experimental tank |
In science experiments, the tanks where the experiment takes place |
food chains |
The order of plant or animals in an ecosystem, each one eating the plant or animal before it on the chain |
habitat |
A place where animals and plants naturally live or grow |
hypotheses |
Predictions about an observation, experience, or scientific problem that can be tested by investigating further |
hypothesis |
A prediction about an observation, experience, or scientific problem that can be tested by investigating further; the singular form of hypotheses |
impervious |
Cannot be penetrated or passed through |
mg/L |
Milligrams per liter.—this is a concentration measurement which describes the mass of one substance (in this case dissolved oxygen) present in a liter of another substance (in this case water) |
minnows |
Small fish |
nitrogen |
A chemical element that is necessary for plant and animal growth |
NTU |
Nephelometer turbidity units as measured by a turbidimeter, which measures how cloudy water is |
nutrient loading |
Introducing excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus (nutrients) into a body of water |
nutrients |
The essential chemicals plants and animals need to grow and survive |
organic matter |
Material which comes from something that was alive |
organism |
Any living creature including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria |
organisms |
Living creatures including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria |
photosynthesis |
The process by which green plants use water, carbon dioxide, and light from the sun to make food and oxygen |
PSU |
Practical salinity units—these are units used to measure salinity and are equivalent to parts per thousand (ppt) |
predators |
Animals that kill and eat other animals or plants (called their prey) |
reproduce |
Produce offspring |
rhizomes |
Plant stems that grow underground, parallel to the surface, from which roots and stems grow |
salinity |
The level of salt in a body of water |
SAV |
An abbreviation for submerged aquatic vegetation, or |
sediment |
Material that is broken up and deposited on the bottom of a body of water, such as sand and silt |
species |
A group of living things that are similar to each other and can breed with each other; the basic grouping of living things in biology. |
suspended |
Remain floating |
turbid |
Cloudy |
turbidity |
The level of cloudiness of water |
thrive |
To grow vigorously and flourish |
wastewater treatment plant |
Cacility that removes impurities from water |