Term
Fill in the blank:
The study of water is known as _(a)_,_(b)_ is the branch of science dealing with the characteristics of freshwater, and the science that deals with 97% of all Earth's water is called _(c)_. |
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Definition
a)Hydrology
b)Liminology
c)Oceanography |
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Term
| Describe the thermal characteristics of water. |
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Definition
1)High heat of evaporation determines transfer of heat and water molecules btwn the atmosphere and bodies of water
2)High latent heat of fusion stabalizes temp at freezing point of water
3)High heat capacity stabilizes temperatures and geographical regions |
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Term
| Describe the light transmission property of water. |
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Definition
| Transparency to visible and UV light enables light required for photosynthesis to reach considerable depths in bodies of water |
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Term
| Describe the surface tension property of water. |
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Definition
1)High surface tension is a controlling factor in physiology
2)Governs drop formation and other liquid surface phenomena |
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Term
| Describe the solvent properties of water. |
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Definition
1)Excellent solvent properties, especially for ionic and polar solutes
2)Enable transport of nutrients and waste products, making biological processes possible in aqueous medium |
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Term
| Discuss how thermal stratification of a body of water may affect its chemistry. |
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Definition
| The epilimnion tends to be oxidizing b/c of the presence of oxygen from the air and from photosynthesis. The hypolimnion is reducing b/c it does not circulate in contact with the atmosphere |
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Term
| What indirect role may be played by respirating bacteria in the formation of limestone caves? |
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Definition
| Bacteria breakdown organic matter in the soil to produce CO2. CO2 has a dissolving effect on limestone. CaCO3(s)+CO2(aq)+H20<->Ca2++2HCO3- |
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Definition
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