Science vocab and roots

Algal Bloom

A rapid increase in the amount of algae in a body of water, such as a lake or ocean.

Dead Zone

An area in a body of water with very low oxygen levels, where most marine life cannot survive.

Eutrophication

A process where water bodies receive too many nutrients, leading to excessive algae growth that can harm the ecosystem by reducing oxygen levels.

Gyre

A large system of circular ocean currents that move due to wind patterns and the Earth's rotation.

Impermable Rock

Rocks that do not allow fluids to pass through them because their pores are not linked.

Infiltration

The process by which water from precipitation soaks into the soil or rock surface.

Ocean Current

A continuous movement of seawater in a specific direction, influenced by wind, temperature, and salinity, which helps distribute heat and nutrients.

Ocean System

The network of the world's oceans and seas, which are connected and play a key role in supporting life, regulating climate, and cycling nutrients.

Porosity

The volume of pore space available within rock or soil.

Saturation Zone

Below the water table where all spaces not filled with solid material fill with water.

Spring

A natural opening in the Earth's crust where groundwater from an aquifer flows onto the surface.

Subsidence

A gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth's surface.

Transpiration

The release of water vapor from plants into the air through their leaves.

Unsaturated Zone

The area of the subsurface between the land's surface and the water table where the soil and rock contain both water and air in their pores.

Water Table

The top of the saturation zone, below which water fills all open spaces between the rock.

Upwelling

The movement of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface, which supports many forms of marine life.

-al

state; condition.

-ac

person afflicted with disease.

ichthy-

fish.

-gn-

fire; burn.

-in-

not; toward; into; within.

-in(e)

of or pertaining to; made of.

infra-; infer-

below; beneath.

inter-

between.

intra-

within; inside.

iso-

equal; same.

-ist

person who deals with…

-itis

inflammation; disease.

-ium

body part; type of element.

-kary-

cell nucleus; body.

kilo-

thousand.

kine-

move.

lact-

milk.

lat-

side.

-less

without.

leuc-; leuk-

white.

-loa

to bind.

lingu-

tongue.

lipo(-)-

fat.

loc-

place.

-(o)logist

one who studies.

-(o)logy

the study of.

-lumin-

light; bright.

-lys-; -lyt-; -lyst

decompose; split.