Aquatic Biomes(1.3) & Water Cycle(1.7)

Sun

Main source of energy for the Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

Precipitation

The process in the water cycle where water falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface in forms such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Condensation

The process in the water cycle where water vapor in the air cools and changes into liquid water, forming clouds.

Transpiration

The process in the water cycle where water is absorbed by plants' roots, moves through plants, and is released as vapor through small pores in leaves.

Evaporation

The process in the water cycle where liquid water is transformed into water vapor or gas, usually due to heat from the sun.

Run-off

The process in the water cycle where water moves across the ground surface and eventually flows into rivers, lakes, or oceans, often after precipitation.

Infiltration

The process in the water cycle where water seeps into the soil from the surface, allowing it to move into the groundwater.

Hydrologic Cycle

the movement of water throughout the ground, ground surface, and atmosphere

Water table

the top of an unconfined aquifer; indicates the level below which soil and rock are saturated with water

Confined Aquifer

an aquifer that is bounded above and below by impermeable layers that transmit water significantly more slowly than the aquifer.

Unconfined Aquifer

  an aquifer in which the upper boundary is the top of the water table

Permeable Layer

portion of aquifer that contains porous rock materials that allow water to penetrate freely

Impermeable Layer

portion of aquifer that contains rock material that does not allow water to penetrate; often forms the base of unconfined aquifers and the boundaries for confined aquifers

Zone of Saturation

 the part of a water-bearing formation in which all spaces (between soil particles and in rock structures) are filled with water

Zone of Aeration

 portion of unconfined aquifer above the water table where the pore spaces among soil particles and rock formation are filled with air

Cone of Depression

a drop in the water table caused by the removal of water

Salt Water Intrusion

When an aquifer is too close to a salt water supply (i.e. ocean or salt lake), if water from an aquifer is taken out too quickly, salt water can be “sucked” into the aquifer making it non-potable

Streams and Rivers

flowing freshwater that may originate from underground springs or as runoff from rain or melting snow

Lakes and Ponds

This is standing fresh water, that goes to greater depths

Lakes and Ponds; Littoral zone

 the shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow

Lakes and Ponds; Limnetic zone

a zone of open water in lakes and ponds

Lakes and Ponds; Profundal zone

 a region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes

Lakes and Ponds; Benthic Zone

the muddy bottom of a lake, pond or ocean

Freshwater Wetlands

aquatic biomes that are submerged or saturated by water for at least a part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation. These include swamps, marshes, and bogs. 

Swamps

wetlands with emergent trees

Marshes

 wetlands that contain primarily non woody vegetation, like cattails and sedges

Bogs

acidic wetlands that typically contain sphagnum moss and spruce trees

Mangrove Swamp

Marine biome that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts; Help protect coast from erosion and storm damage

Salt Marsh

 marine biome found along the coast in temperate climates and contain non woody emergent vegetation; absorb storm surge

Coral Reef

 found in warm shallow ocean waters beyond shoreline. This is Earth’s most diverse marine biome

Coral

 tiny animals that secret layers of limestone (calcium carbonate) to form external skeletons. Animals live inside this tiny skeleton with tentacles that draw in plankton and detritus. 

Intertidal Zone

Band of coastline that exists between high and low tide. Range from steep and rocky to broad and sloping mudflats

Photic zone

 the upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis

Aphotic Zone

the deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.