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Unique Properties of Water

Published on Dec 11, 2015

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Unique Properties of Water

  • Specific heat of liquid water = 1.0 cal/g C
  • Buoyancy provides physical support for organisms
  • Great solvent for dissolving nutrients
  • Dilution for metabolic wastes
  • Denest in liquid phase at 4 C
Photo by Ian Sane

Unique Properties of Water

  • Expands when freezes (less dense in solid phase)
  • Bipolar molecule
Photo by Ian Sane

Aquatic Life Zones

Planktonic - "Free Floating"

Phytoplankton

Photo by pali_nalu

Nectonic

"Swimming"
Photo by the_tahoe_guy

Benthic

"Bottom Dwellers"
Benthic - includes invertebrates, decomposers, scavengers
Photo by neptunecanada

Limiting Factors in Aquatic Life Zones

  • Temperature
  • Light Avaliability
  • Water Clarity (turbidity)
  • Dissolved Oxygen
  • Salt Concentration

Limiting Factors in Aquatic Life Zones

Structure of Lotic (riverine) system

Photo by Len Radin

Headwaters

"Source Zone" - High DO, high velocity, cold water 
Source Zone - Headwaters (steep slopes, high dissolved oxygen, high velocity, cold water) good trout habitat.

Transition Zone

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