Children of the River
Glossary
acid rain: or acid precipitation of any type, is that with an acidity lower
than the normal rainfall, which is 5.6 pH
algae: small, primitive plants with no leaves or flowers floating or attached
to submerged surfaces in most lakes, ponds, and streams
biochemical oxygen demand: a measure of the amount of oxygen used or needed
by the microorganisms in it
biologist: a scientist who studies living things
carnivores: a consumer which eats only consumers
community: a group of different kinds of organisms living and interacting
in a certain area
consumers: living things which obtain food from other living things
contamination: the result of harmful pollutants entering the water supply
dissolved oxygen: the amount of oxygen in the water
ecosystem: the interaction of the physical and biological components of
a particular environment
engineer: a scientist skilled in the design, construction, or use of engines
and machinery, in military, civil, electrical or mechanical applications
erosion: wearing away of soil or rock by wind, water, ice, or other processes
eutrophication: excessive growth of plant life in a stream, caused by high
levels of phosphates and nitrates in the water
hydrologist/hydrogeologist: a scientist who studies water and the water
cycle
hydrometer: an instrument which measures the density of water and other
fluids
lake: a body of water completely surrounded by land and without direct communication
with the ocean, except by rivers
PCB: polychlorinated biphenyls; compounds developed for industrial use which
are carried through the food chain and are harmful to living things
pH: a measure ranging from 0 to 14 of relative acidity (0) or alkalinity
(14) of a substance. A pH of 7 is considered neutral
phytoplankton: plankton composed of tiny plants and plant matter
predator: an organism which seizes another to eat it
prey: an organism which is seized by another to be eaten
producers: living things which can make their own food
river: a large stream of water flowing to the sea, another river, a marsh
or a lake
run-off: water that flows off the surface of open land, streets, parking
lots, etc.
sediment: sand and silt material which has settled or is carried by water
slip: a space for a single boat between two docks
soft water: water without mineral salts in which soap can be lathered easily
solubility: the ability of a substance to dissolve in another
stream: any small river, brook, or course of running water
suspension bridge: a structure involving a road which hangs from a tower
at each end
turbidity: the clarity of the water, dependent upon the amount of suspended
solids in it
watershed: the land area which drains into a river
zooplankton: plankton composed of tiny animals and animal matter
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