| algae |
any of numerous groups of chlorophyll-containing, aquatic organisms ranging from microscopic single-celled forms to multicellular forms 100 ft. (30 m) or more long, distinguished from plants by the absence of true roots, stems, and leaves |
| algal bloom |
large concentration of algae in a specific area because of the rapid growth of algae |
| buffer plants |
natural plants that border a river to block excess fertilizer from seeping into the stream |
| bay water |
somewhat salty water; brackish water |
| characteristics |
specific traits or features |
| common basin |
the area in a watershed which contains the water which has run-off from the surrounding land and rivers |
| dead zone |
areas of extremely low oxygen that are formed when decomposers use up
large amounts of the available oxygen to break down dead plant material and algae |
| density |
a measure of how much mass is in how much space or the mass of an object divided by its volume |
| dissolve |
to break apart into small pieces, usually in water |
| downstream |
in the direction of the current of the stream |
| elevation |
height above sea level |
| eutrophication |
a situation where an area receives excess nutrients resulting in excessive plant growth |
| factor |
one of the elements contributing to a particular result |
| flow |
to move along |
| freshwater plume |
an area of freshwater that stays together due to the difference in temperature and salinity of the water it flows into – plumes usually contains dissolved materials along with suspended particles |
| plume |
an area containing the same type of particles which are closer together and in larger concentration near the origin then spread out in a teardrop pattern |
| pollution |
the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment |
| marine microbiologist |
scientist that studies ocean organisms that are so small a microscope is needed to see them |
| natural features |
characteristics that are formed naturally such as rivers, ledges, cliffs, beaches, etc. |
| nonpoint source pollution |
Pollution that comes from more than one source unlike point source pollution that comes from a single location, like a factory. Sources of nonpoint source pollution include: nutrients and waste from agricultural areas and particles blown out to sea by the wind |
| nitrogen |
an element that is present in fertilizer and in combined form in animal and vegetable tissues, especially in proteins |
| nutrients |
a source of nourishment |
| oxygen depletion |
significant amounts of oxygen are removed from the water so that there is not enough oxygen left to support life |
| phosphorus |
an element that is an important part of plant and animal life; found in bones and nerves |
| respiration |
absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide |
| river water |
freshwater with some sediments |
| salinity |
a measure of the amount of dissolved salts in ocean water |
| satellite image |
a picture which is created by using information from a satellite |
| sediment |
loose materials, such as rock fragments, mineral grains, and the remains of once-living plants and animals that have been moved by wind, water, ice or gravity |
| substance |
matter with a fixed composition |
| temperature |
measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual particles of a substance |
| track |
determine the location |
| watershed boundaries |
the edges or border of a watershed, usually the highest point |
