Glossary

amphipod n.

A small crustacean (an aquatic animal that usually has a segmented body, exoskeleton, and jointed limbs) of the order Amphipoda, such as the beach flea, that has a laterally compressed body with no carapace (a protective shell-like covering).

anoxic adj.

Without oxygen.

benthic adj.

Term describing the bottom of a sea or lake or the organisms living there.

dredge v.

To deepen, widen or remove materials from harbors and waterways by means of various machines equipped with scooping or suction devices.

dynamic equilibrium n.

A condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system; a stable balance.

effluent n.

Something that flows out or forth, especially a stream flowing out of a body of water, an outflow from a sewer or sewage system, or a discharge of liquid waste as from a factory or nuclear plant.

estuary n.

The mouth of a river where it meets the sea, and where freshwater from the river mixes with the salty water of the sea. [more]

eurohaline adj.

Having the ability to cope with large changes in the saline concentration in the environment.

flocculate v.

To cause soil to form in lumps or masses.

homogeneous adj.

Of the same or similar nature or kind; uniform in structure or composition throughout.

microscopic adj.

Too small to be seen by the unaided eye but large enough to be studied under a microscope.

nutrient n.

A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.

plankton n.

Small or microscopic organisms, including algae and protozoans, that float or drift in great numbers in fresh or salt water, especially at or near the surface, and serve as food for fish and other larger organisms.

pollutant n.

Substance (such as a waste material) that pollutes or contaminates the air, soil, or water and can damage the environment.

predation n.

The preying, or killing and eating, of one animal (the predator) upon others (its prey).

salinity n.

A measurement of how much salt in is in a solution; also called saltiness or brininess.

sediment n.

Solid fragments of inorganic or organic material that come from the weathering of rock and are carried and deposited by wind, water, or ice. Sediments may also be formed from chemical, biochemical, or biological materials. [more]

shoaling v.

Becoming or making gradually shallow.

static adj.

Having no motion; being at rest.

velocity n.

Rapidity or speed of motion; swiftness.

watershed n.

The region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water.