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What is a lentic ecosystem?
What is a lentic ecosystem?
A slow moving body of water such as ponds, lakes, and reservoirs.
What is the euphotic zone?
What is the euphotic zone?
Upper layer of a body of water through which sunlight can penetrate and support photosynthesis.
What is the aphotic zone?
What is the aphotic zone?
Dark layer of the oceans below the photic zone where sunlight does not penetrate.
What is the limnetic zone?
What is the limnetic zone?
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What is the littoral zone?
What is the littoral zone?
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What is the emergent zone?
What is the emergent zone?
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What is the floating plant/leaf zone?
What is the floating plant/leaf zone?
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What is the submergent zone?
What is the submergent zone?
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What is the benthic zone?
What is the benthic zone?
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Which zone is a 'nursery' for baby aquatic life?
Which zone is a 'nursery' for baby aquatic life?
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In which zone does the most photosynthesis occur?
In which zone does the most photosynthesis occur?
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Which area of the lake is most prone to long-term pollution problems?
Which area of the lake is most prone to long-term pollution problems?
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In which zone does no photosynthesis occur?
In which zone does no photosynthesis occur?
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In which zone does the most decomposition occur?
In which zone does the most decomposition occur?
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What is eutrophication?
What is eutrophication?
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What is resident/retention time?
What is resident/retention time?
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What is the resident time formula?
What is the resident time formula?
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What is the hydrological cycle?
What is the hydrological cycle?
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What do lentic ecosystems need to cleanse themselves?
What do lentic ecosystems need to cleanse themselves?
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What group of producers produces the greatest amount of food and oxygen in an aquatic system?
What group of producers produces the greatest amount of food and oxygen in an aquatic system?
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What is the definition of succession?
What is the definition of succession?
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What is the formula for volume?
What is the formula for volume?
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What is the formula for outflow?
What is the formula for outflow?
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What can have an effect on a body of water and the life within it, as well as how it recovers from pollution?
What can have an effect on a body of water and the life within it, as well as how it recovers from pollution?
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Study Notes
Lentic Ecosystems Overview
- Lentic ecosystems consist of slow-moving water bodies, including ponds, lakes, and reservoirs.
Zones in Lentic Ecosystems
- Euphotic Zone: Upper layer of water that receives sunlight, supporting photosynthesis.
- Aphotic Zone: Dark depths of oceans below the photic zone, where no sunlight penetrates.
- Limnetic Zone: Open water area where rooted plants cannot survive due to depth.
- Littoral Zone: Shallow zone with soil and water where most algae and emergent plants thrive.
- Emergent Zone: Plants rooted in lake beds that rise above water, benefitting from sunlight and nutrients.
- Floating Plant/Leaf Zone: Plants rooted at the bottom with leaves floating on the surface for sunlight capture.
- Submergent Zone: Plants rooted at the bottom with water too deep for leaves to surface, critical for light penetration.
- Benthic Zone: Bottom layer of the aquatic ecosystem, characterized by no photosynthesis and composed of sediments.
Ecosystem Functions and Dynamics
- Littoral Zone as a Nursery: Acts as a crucial habitat for baby aquatic life.
- Euphotic Zone for Photosynthesis: Most photosynthesis occurs here due to light availability.
- Benthic Zone Pollution Risks: More susceptible to long-term pollution and high decomposition rates.
- Aphotic Zone's Lack of Photosynthesis: No photosynthesis occurs in this zone due to absence of light.
Eutrophication and Water Quality
- Eutrophication: Result of nutrient excess in water bodies, typically from land runoff, leading to excessive plant growth and decreased oxygen levels for aquatic life.
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Cleansing Process: Lentic ecosystems require:
- Elimination of pollution sources.
- Sufficient resident time for self-cleansing.
Hydrology and Ecology
- Resident/Retention Time: Time required for a water body to refill completely with new water.
- Hydrological Cycle: Essential for ecosystem self-renewal and cleansing capabilities.
- Phytoplankton: Major group of producers, contributing significantly to food and oxygen production in aquatic systems.
Calculations and Formulas
- Resident Time Formula: RT = V/O, relating volume to outflow.
- Volume Formula: V = RT x O.
- Outflow Formula: O = V/RT.
Influencing Factors
- Size and flow rate of a water body greatly affect its ecosystem dynamics and recovery from pollution.
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