Ocean Vocab

aquaculture

The science and business of raising and harvesting fish in a controlled situation.

conservation

The process of saving or protecting a natural resource.

desalination

The process of removing salt from ocean water. \____________ is used to obtain fresh water.

nonpoint-source pollution

Pollution with a source that is hard to find or scattered.

kelp forest

A large community of kelp

overfishing

The catching of fish at a faster rate than they can reproduce.

point-source pollution

Pollution that enters water from a known source.

sewage system

A system that collects and treats wastewater from a city or a town.

artificial reef

A man made underwater structure

commercial harvesting

Removing organisms from their natural habitat to be used for commercial purposes.

seaweed harvesting

The removal of seaweed from the ocean.

Oil/Natural Gas

Resources that are often removed from under the ocean that provide over 60% of our energy.

oil spill

A release of liquid petroleum into the environment due to human activity; a form of pollution.

overharvesting

Harvesting a renewable resource quicker than the source can renew itself; often leads to the destruction of the resource.

phytoplankton

Microscopic plants that grow in the upper regions of the ocean; require light for photosynthesis; bottom of the marine food web.

reduce/reuse/recycle

A conservation initiative to cut down on the amount of waste that is thrown away.

waste reduction

When we choose to consume less and throw away less.

water pollution

The contamination of water bodies; occurs when pollutants are released into water without adequate treatment to remove pollutants.

water treatment

The processes used to make water more acceptable for use; including drinking water

water-quality agreements

An agreement between two parties that strives to restore and protect water resources and water quality