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ECL37C636
K

GLOSSARY
OF SOME

ENVIRONMENT AL and RELATEDTERMS

EVANC. BIRCHARD

--~~IJlll

-1JEPART-MENT
~D

 I

lo p

I

GLOSSARY
of

some

ENVIRONMENTAL and

RELATED TERMS

EVAN C. BIRCHARD

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT
IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED

 PREFACE

This
technical

terms

effects
and

of

other

oriented
defeat
in

pollution,

control

It

not

does

purpose
to

keep

of
the

information

in

and

describing

and water

related

biological

studies,

bioassays,

procedures.

attempt
as

environmental

used

air

quality

the

of

contains

frequently

terminology,

order

amount

glossary

the

to

volume

a glossary
glossary
under

include
is

of
from

each

Environmental
Imperial

Oil

111 St.

Clair

Toronto

195,

'all'

biologically

enormous,

this

kind.

becoming

heading

Protection

.

Canada

been

large,

West

the

limited.

Department

Limited
Avenue

Similarly,

too

has

and would

 - 1 A

ABIOTIC
or

- pertaining
to
living
organisms.

ABYSSAL - inhabiting

or characterized

deep

ACCLIMATION - the process
or environment.
ACETYLCHOLINE - body
impulses
across

water

by the

(roughly

of becoming

below

acid

in the

to

of

life

metres).

1,000

accustomed

chemical
involved
nerve junctions.

ACID, STEARIC - most common fatty
and vegetable
fats.

ab s ence

a new climate

transmission

occurring

of

in natural

animal

ACTIVATED SLUDGE - biological
treatment
procedure
in which waste
water
is aerated
in presence
of micro-organisms
, which
utilize
as food certain
components
in the waste water .
ACUTE TOXICITY - fast
acting
a bioassay
test
accepted
action .

and lethal:
as covering

ADAPTATION - a ch an g e in the
org a ni s m resulting
from

structure,
a change

ADDITIVE

EFFECT - see

in

2 to 4 day exposure
in
period
of acute
lethal

form
its

or habitat
environment

AEROBIC ORGANISM - an organ i sm tha t t hr ives
ox y gen.
AER0S0L - a cloud
of solid
particles
than
100 micr o ns in diameter,
RESIDUAL - air
expiration.

AIR,

TIDAL - air
respiratory

ALGAE (pl.
alga)
chlorophyll.
sance
when

an

Syn e rgism

ADENOCARCTNOMA - a ma li gnant tumor i n which the
in the form of glands
or gland-li
ke structur

AIR,

of
.

that

that
is
cycle.

stays

carried

in

in

cells
es .

are

t h e presen

a rranged

c e of

an d/o r liquid
drop le ts
suspende p i n a gas .
the

to

lung s a fter

and

- simple
plants,
often
Most alga are aquatic
conditions
are suitable

s ma ller

forceful

fr om t h e lun gs during

mic r oscopic
, containing
a nd may pr duce a nuifor prolific
grn wth .

a

 -

-

---

·-.

----~---

-----

---

--

.

-

-

ALLOPATRIC - refers
distributinn

to

----~~---..-....-..-

--

--

- -·

---

2 -

two species

having

different

ALVEOLUS (pl.
terminal

alveoli)
dilation

- an air sac of the lungs
of tiny
air passageways.

AMNIOTE - any

reptile,

bird

areas

formed

of

by the

or mammal.

ANADROMOUSFISH - fish that
spend a large
part
of their
life
sea or in lakes,
but ascend
rivers
or streams
to spawn.
Examples
are shad,
salmnn,
trout
and striped
bass.

at

ANAERO.B1C ORGANISM - an organism
oxygen.

of

ANEMIA - a condition
the circulatory

that

thrives

in the

in which the number of
system
is bel0w normal.

red

ANNELIDS (Annelida)
- segmented
worms.
Most
live
in soil,
or fresh
water.
Examples
sludgeworms
and leeches.
ANOXTA - an abnormally

low amount

nf

blood

are
are

oxygen

absence

in

marine,
but
earthworms,

in body

many

tissues.

ANTAGONISM - the phenomenon
whereby
the total
dual agents
is less
than the sum of the
when taken
independently.

effect
separate

APHOT1C ZONE - area
light
penetration

in which

in a large
b0dy of water
from the surface.

cells

of indivieffects

there

is

APPLICATION FACTOR - the degree
nf dilution
applied
to the LCS0
(TLm) value
of a binassay
test
t0 ensure
a safe discharge
rate
of effluent
water
into
a receiving
water.
ARTHROPODA - largest
insects,
spiders,

phylum in animal
kingdnmr
centipedes,
etc.

ASPHYXIA - the extreme
ccmdition
caused
excess
carbon
dioxide
in the blood.

ASSIMIIATION - the
body substances.
ATELECTASIS - the
tant
loss
of

transformation

collapse
functioning

of

of

all
or
tissue.

by

lack

absorbed

part

including

of

nf

nxygen

nutrients

a lung

crabs,

and

into

with

resul-

no

 .

---

.

....___.....__

-

- -

-----

--

-

3 -

ATP (adenosine
triphosphate)
that
provides
a source
cellular
activities.

- a coenzyme
of energy
for

common to all organiqms
a range of different

ATROPHY - a wasting
away of
or other
causes.

the

defective

body

from

AUTOTROPHIC ORGANISM - an organism
capable
matter
from inorganic
substances.
AVES - the

class

of birds.

of

nutrition

constructing

organic

 - 4 B

BACILLARIOPHYCEAE - diatoms;
class
of algae;
microscopic
unicellular
plants
occurring
singly
or grouped
into colonies.
Abundent
in marine
and fresh
water plankton
and, along with
various
other
algae
types,
provides
basis
for all
life
at
sea.
Past deposition
of the cell
walls
has formed deposits
known as diatomaceous
earth.
BACTERIA (Schizomycophyta)
- group of unicellular
or multicellular
microscopic
organisms
lacking
chlorophyll.
Usually
classified
with plants
rather
than animals,
but are distinct
from both.
BENTHOS - the aggregate
of a body of water.
BENTHIC REGION - the

of organisms

bottom

of

living

a body

on or

concentration
under stated

BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD) - the amount
by organisms
in the biochemical
oxidation
at a specified
temperature.
metabolic

utilization

BIOLOGICAL . TIME - an expression
of time
when used in biological
studies.
BIOLYSIS

- dissolution

of

a living

the

bottom

of water.

BIOASSAY - a method of determining
the
necessary
to affect
a test
animal
conditions.

BIODEGRADATION - the
by micro-organisms.

at

of

of

of a substance
laboratory

oxygen utilized
of organic
matter

a waste

on a logarithmic

organism;

substance

scale

death.

BIOMASS - that
part
of a given
habitat
consisting
of living
expressed
either
as weight
of organisms
per unit
area,
the volume of organisms
per unit
volume of habitat.
BIOME - a complex
of communities
characterized
type of vegetation
and maintained
under
tions
of the region.
BIOTA - all

living

organisms

BIOTIC POTENTIAL - the
plants
to increase
conditions.

(plant

capacity
of
in numbers

and

animal)

matter
or as

by a distinctive
the climatic
condi-

of

a region.

a population
of animals
or
under
optimum environmental

.

 -

BIOTYPE - group
acteristics.

of

organisms

5 -

having

BIVALVE - an animal
with a hinged
are the clam and oyster.
BLOOM - a readily
of plankton.

visible

BLUE-GREEN ALGAE - see

the

two-valve

concentrated

Cyanophyta.

same hereditary

growth

shell.

or

char-

Examples

aggregation

 -

6 C

CARCINOGEN - a substance
cancerous.

capable

of causing

CARINATES - living

capable

of

birds

CATADROMOUSFISH - fish that
feed
return
to the sea to spawn.
eel.

living

tissue

to

become

flight.

and grow in fresh
Best know example

water,
is the

but
American

CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD) - a measure
of the oxygen equivalent
required
for oxidation
by chemical
means of organic
and inorganic
matter
in a waste-water,
corrected
for the influence
of chloride
present.
CHLOROPHYLL - green pigment
found in all algae
and higher
plants;
located
in chloroplasts
except
in blue-green
algae,
where it
is scattered
in cytoplasm
of cell.
Several
chlorophylls
exist;
chlorophyll
'a'
is the only one common to all green
plants.
CHLOROPHYTA - green algae;
distribution
in marine
CHLOROPLAST - a specialized
plants;
the site
of
CHLOROSIS - a disease
ing or blanching

largest
group of
and fresh
water.

body containing
photosynthesis.

condition
in green
of the leaves.

CHOLINESTERASE - a body enzyme which
operation
of the nervous
system
choline.
CHONDRICHTHYES - cartilagineous
almost
exclusively
marine.
rays.

algae;

very

chlorophyll

plants

in

marked

is essential
by hydrolyzing

for

diverse

green

by a yellow-

proper
excess
acetyl-

fishes;
absence
of true
bone;
Examples
are sharks,
skates

&

CHRONIC TOXICITY - a slow acting
or lingering
generally
taken
as longer
than 4 days.

lethal

CILIARY FEEDING - feeding
by filtering
current
of water
dow~ through
or

minute
towards

organisms
the animal

from a
by cilia.

CILIUM (pl.
cilia)
the surface

thread
rhythmic

projecting
movement.

from

- a fine cytoplasmic
of cells:
capable
of

action;

 -

7 -

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM- diurnal
rhythm;
a rhythmic
c h ange that
occurs
in an organism
with a periodicity
of approxi mately
twentyfour hours.
CLEAN WATER ASSOCIATION - an association
of organisms
, usually
characterized
by many different
species
that
are able to
live
only in a natural
unpolluted
environment,
ie. a group
of species
highly
susceptible
to minute
toxicant
concentrations.
COARSE or ROUGH FISH - those
species
of fish considered
to be of
poor fighting
quality
when taken on tackle,
and/or
poor food
quality.
Examples
include
carp,
goldfish,
gar,
sucker , bowfin,
gizzard
shad,
and certain
kinds
of catfish.
COCCINA - small
on or near

lumps of hardened
oil
the shore or floating

COELENTERATA - phylum of animals
sea-anemones,
and corals.
of simple
plan and radially
COLD-BLOODED ANIMALS - see

often
mixed with
on the water.

sand;

containing
hydroids,
jelly
All aquatic,
most marine.
symmetr .ical.

Poikilothermic

found

fish,
Body

animals.

COLIFORM GROUP - bacteria
commonly found in fecal
sewage
and used as indicators
of sanitary
quality
of water.
commo n i s Co l iform bacillus
.

waste
Most

COMMU
NI TY - an eco l og i ca l t er m for any n a turally
occurring
group
of d ifferen
t organis ms in h abiting
a common environm e nt and
i nteracting
with each othe r th ro u gh a food chain .
CONSUMERS - organisms
food material.

that

consume

COPEPODA - minute
marine
animals
numbers
as to be important
CRUSTACEA - animals
with
and gills;
most are
and barnacles.

occurring
food for

in the
f i sh.

of

org a nic

plankton

rigid
outer
cove rin g, jointed
aquatic.
Examples
are crayfish

CUMULATIVE - used in pollution
work
strength
by successive
additions
CUTICLE - a protective

soli d p ar ti c les

layer

covering

to

mea n an increase
of a p oll utant .
the

s u r f ace

of

in

such

appendages,
, crabs ,

in

a leaf.

toxic

 -

8 -

CYANOPHYTA (Myxophyta)
- blue-green
algae;
primitive,
microscopic,
unicellular
or multicellular
colonies.
Present
in marine
and fresh-water,
often
planktonic
and often
found
in cold arctic
water.
Some blue-green
algae
produce
animal
toxins.
CYTOLYSIS - dissolution
membranes.
CYTOPLASM - the protoplasm
usually
a transparent,

of

cells

by destruction

of a cell,
slightly

of

excluding
the
viscous
fluid.

their

surface

nucleus;

 -

9 -

D

DAPHNIA - waterfleas;
a major portion

microscopic
swimming crustaceans;
of the zooplankton
population.

DEHYDROGENASE- an enzyme which accelerates
the
hydrogen
from metabolites
and its transfer
stances;
plays
important
roles
in biological
reduction
processes.
DELIQUESCE - to
ing moisture

dissolve
gradually
from the air.

and become

DENSITY - DEPENDENT FACTORS - features
of the
are directly
related
to the abundance
of
Examples
are food,
oxygen,
breeding
sites,

form

removal
of
to other
suboxidation-

liquid

by absorb

environment
plants
or
etc.

-

which
animals .

DENSITY - INDEPENDENT FACTORS - features
of the environment
which are largely
or entirely
unaffected
by changes
in th e
density
of the population.
Examples
include
temperatu
re,
salinity,
etc.
DESORPTION - release
of a substance
which has been taken
into
another
substance
by a physical
process
or held in c on centrat e d form upon the surface
of anoth e r sub s tanc e.
DETENTI ON TIME - th e oretical
time
te nt s of a b a sin or s e ttling
flow.

requir e d to displa ce th e co nfacility
a t a giv e n r a t e of

DEVIAT I ON , STANDARD NORMAL - a mea s ure
about
a mean value.

of

di spe rsi on of

va lues

DIAPAUSE - period
of suspended
developmen t o r gr owth , a cc omp a n ie d
by greatly
decreased
metabolism;
common to some animals.
DIATOM - see

Bacillariophyceae.

DISPHOTIC ZONE - an area in a large
body
sufficient
light
for photosynthesis,
for animal
responses.
DISSOLVED AIR FLOATATION (DAF) - a waste
procedure
in which pressurized
air
is released
by pressure
reduction,
minute
bubbles
which attach
to the
and float
them upward to the water

of water
tha t h as in but sufficient
ligh t

wat e r clarif
i ca tio n
dissolved
in t h e wa ter
caus i ng forma tion
of
suspende d part i cle s
surface.

 - 10 DISSOLVED SOLIDS - substances
are dissolved
in a waste
residue
when a sample
is
DOSE - used in toxicology
or ingested
into the
DYSPHEA - difficult

or

either
organic
or inorganic
stream
and which constitute
evaporated
to dryness.

to mean the
organism.

laboured

amount

of

toxic

that
the

a nt

injected

breathing.

DYSTROPHIC LAKES - brown-water
lakes with a high humus
and low lime content;
often
lacking
in nutrients.

content

 - 11 E

EARTH, DIATOMACEOUS - a chalky,
past
deposition
of countless

siliceous
numbers

material
formed
of diatoms.

from

ECHINODERMATA - marine
animals
having
a radiating
arrangement
of parts.
Examples
include
starfish,
sea urchins,
sea
cucumbers,
etc.
ECOLOGY - study
surroundings.
ECOSYSTEM - a
plus
the
they also
autotrophic
heterotrophic
bacteria
enced by

of

the

relation

of

animals

and

plants

to

their

community
of organisms
interacting
with one another,
environment
in which they live
and with which
interact;
a system consisting
of producers,
organisms
(mainly
green plants);
consumers,
organisms
(animals);
and decomposers,
(chiefly
and fungi);
all of these
activities
being
influphysical
conditions
of the environment.

ECOTYPE - a subspecies
or
adapted
to a particular

race

of

EDEMA - a condition
caused
in the intercellular

by abnormally
tissue
spaces

set

organism
that
of environmental
large
of the

is

amounts
body.

EFFUSION - escape
of a fluid
into
caused
by rupture
of a vessel.

a tissue

or

part,

EMPHYSEMA - a swelling
due to
excess
or additional
air.

the

presence

of

air,

ENDEMIC - confined

region.

to

a given

ENDOCYTOSIS - a condition
or disease
arising
within
a cell of a material
which does
there.
ENTOMOLOGY - the

study

of

not

especially
conditions.
of

fluid

usually

usually

from the
properly

inclusion
belong

insects.

ENVIRONMENT - the sum of all external
affecting
the life
and development

influences
and conditions
of an organism.

ENZYME - a protein
which is a catalyst.
ie.
promotes
chemical
change
to a substrate
being
used up in the reaction.

a substance
which
without
itself

 -

EPIDEMIOLOGY - science
distribution
and
population.

dealing
frequency

12 -

with the factors
involved
in
of a disease
process
in a

the

EPILIMNION - that
region
of a body of water
that
extends
from
surface
to the thermocline
(area of large
temperature
change),
and does not have a permanent
temperature
stratification,
(see Stratification).
EPIPHYTE - plant
cally
upon
EPITHELIUM
ternal

attached
to another
it,
but merely
using

- a layer
surface.

ESTUARY - commonly
river.'
ETHOLOGY - study
vironment.

of

cells

an arm of

of behaviour

that

the

of

plant
not growing
it for support.
covers

sea

at

parasiti-

an external

the

an animal

EULITTORAL ZONE - the shore
zone of a body
limits
of water-level
fluctuation.

lower

in

end

its

or

in-

of

a

natural

of water

en-

between

EUPHOTIC ZONE - the lighted
region
that
extends
vertically
the water
surface
to the level
at which photosynthesis
fails
to occur because
of ineffective
light
penetration.
EURYHALINE - able to tolerate
in the environment.
EURYTHERMOUS - able to
in the environment.
EURYTOPIC ORGANISMS
to a particular

wide

tolerate

- organisms
environmental

EUTROPHICATION - the enrichment
input
of nutrients;
process
inflow
of effluent
waste.

variation

wide

variations

with a wide
factor.

of

osmotic

of

range

of a body of water
may occur
naturally

EUTROPHIC WATER - water
with a rich
support
large
organic
production
which can suffocate
the natural

the

from

pressure

temperature

of

tolerance

by increased
or through

supply
of nutrients;
may
such as algae
blooms
populations.

 -

13 F

FACULTATIVE AEROBE - an organism
an anaerobe
can grow in the

that
although
fundamentally
presence
of free oxygen.

FACULTATIVE ANAEROBE - an organism
that
anaerobe,
can grow in the absence

although
of free

fundamentally
oxygen.

FALL OVERTURN - a physical
phenomenon
that may take place
in a
body of water
during
the early
autumn.
The sequence
of
events
leading
to fall
overturn
include:
cooling
of surface watersr
density
change
in surface
waters
producing
convection
currents
from top to bottomr
circulation
of the
total
water
volume by wind action
and vertical
temperature
equality
4°c. The overturn
results
in a uniformity
of the physical
and chemical
properties
of the water.
FAUNA - the

entire

animal

FINGERLING - a young
and trout.

life

fish.

of

a region.

Commonly

used

for

young

salmon

FLATWORMS (Platyhelminthes)
- non-segmented
worms; flattened
top to bottom
and commonly found in water
or as parasites
in plants
and animals.
FLOC - the insoluble
particles
formed in a waste
flow
addition
of a flocculant
which entrains
suspended
and removes
them by sedimentation
from the waste
FLORA - the

entire

plant

life

of

by the
solids
flow.

a region.

FOOD CHAIN - chain
of organisms
existing
in any natural
community
through
which energy
is transferred.
Each link
in
the chain
feeds
on and obtains
energy
from the one preceeding
it,
and in turn
is eaten
by and provides
energy
for the one following
it.
The number of links
is usually
three
or four.
At the beginning
of the chain
are the green
plants
- the producer
level.
All other
levels
are consumer
levels.
At each trophic
or energy
level
much of the energy
obtained
is lost
in respiration
and thus
fewer organisms
can be supported
at the succeeding
one.
All the food
chains
in a community
make up the food web.

 -

M

-

FORAMINIFERANS - a group of Protozoa,
mostly
marine,
multi-chambered
shells
of lime.
Foraminiferan
large
parts
of chalk
and deep sea oozes.

which
shells

form
form

FRY - the stage
in the life
of a fish between
the hatching
of
the egg and the absorption
of the yolk sac.
From this
sta~e
bntil
they attain
a length
of on~ inch,
the young
fish
are considered
'advanced
fry'.
FUNGI (Mycophyta)
- group of plants
lacking
chlorophyll;
cellular
or possessing
tubular
filaments.
Examples
moulds,
yeasts,
mushrooms,
rusts,
etc.

uniare

 - 15 G

GAME FISH - those
species
qualities
on fishing
fish
include
salmon,
and bass.
GILLS

of fish considered
tackle.
Examples
trout,
muskellunge,

to possess
sporting
of fresh-water
game
walleye,
pike,

- respiratory
organ of aquatic
animals
interchange
of oxygen and carbon
dioxide
occurs
between
water
and blood.

GILL FILAMENTS - threadlike
of a fish.

structures

GILL LAMELLAE - subdivision
piratory
exchange
takes

of tissue
on gill
place
in lamellae.

GILL SUFFOCATION - clogging

of

GRAVIMETRIC - relating
GREEN ALGAE - see
GRILSE - a mature,
water,
usually
first
time.

to

the

measurement

through
which
by diffusion

constituting

gill

the

gills

filaments.

filaments

in

the

Res-

a fish.

by weight.

Chlorophyta.
undersized,
after
one

male salmon returning
year of sea life,
to

to fresh
spawn for

the

 I
I
I
I
I
l
I
I
I
l
I

- 16 H

HABITAT - a region
with a particular
habited
by organisms.
eg. sea

kind
shore.

HAEMOGLOBIN - a protein
found in red
responsible
for oxygen transport
HALOPHYTE - plant
that
typical
on shores

tolerates
of river

of

environment

blood cells
of vertebrates
to all parts
of the body.

very salty
estuaries.

soil,

a condition

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE - an element
or compound which,
charged
in any quantity
into the environment,
imminent
and substantial
danger
to the public
welfare.
HERBICIDE - a substance
intended
tation;
often
selective
for
HERBIVORE - an organism

that

to control
particular

feeds

that

HISTOLOGY - the study
of the
scopic
cellular
structure.

of

- dissolution

of

or destroy
vegeplant
types.

anatomy

is

HOLOZOIC - feeding

in

HOMEOTHERMIC temperature,
characteristic
HYDROPHILIC
affinity

and

on or-

their

micro-

tissue.

of organic
the energy
of

an animal-like

HOMEOSTASIS - the tendency
to maintain
internal
I

dependent

tissues

HOLOMICTIC LAKES - lakes
that
are completely
deepest
parts
at time of winter
cooling.
HOLOPHYTIC - synthesizing
components,
using
chlorophyll.

when dispresents
an
health
and

on vegetation.

HETEROTROPHIC ORGANISM - an organism
ganic
matter
for food.

HISTOLYSIS

in-

circulated

to

the

compounds
from inorganic
sunlight
by means of

manner.

of an animal's
stability.

physiological

system

'warm-blooded';
maintaining
a constant
body
raised
above that
of usual
surroundings.
of birds
and mammals.

- characteristic
for water.

HYDROPHOBIC - characteristic
affinity
for water.
affinity
for oil.

of

a substance

of

a substance
a substance

Such

denoting

strong

denoting
a lack of
usually
has a strong

 - 17 HYGROSCOPIC - readily
the atmosphere.
HYPERPLASIA
ber of

absorbing

and

- increase
in amount of
cells
which individually

retaining

tissue
keep

HYPERTROPHY - increase
in size
of tissue
of individual
cells
without
increase
HYPOLIMNION - the region
of a body
the thermocline
to the bottom
from surface
influence.
(see

moisture

by increase
their
usual
by increase
of their

of water
that
of the , lake,
Stratification,

from

in numsize.

in size
numbers.

extends
from
and is removed
Thermocline).

 - 18 I
ICHTHOLOGY - the

study

of

fishes.

INCIPIENT LETHAL LEVEL - that
level
of the environmental
parameter
beyond which 50% of the population
cannot
live
for
an indefinite
period.
INDICATOR ORGANISMS - species
of aquatic
organisms
which can
serve
as indices
of pollution.
Examples
include
stonefly
nymph, mayfly
naiad,
caddisfly
larvae , damselfly
nymph ,
dragonfly
nymph, etc.
INDIGENOUS (of
introduced.

organisms)

- native

INSECTICIDE - a substance
may be selective
for
species.

intended
to
a particular

INTERCEPTOR BASIN - a basin
used
waste
stream
to permit
flow
into
a treatment
facility.
INTERCOSTAL - situated

to

between

a particular

ar ea,

no t

check or destroy
ins e c ts;
species
or group of

as a receiver
and composition

to

coll e ct t h e
equiliz
a ti on

ribs.

I NTERNAL ENVIRONMENT - medium in which b ody ce lls are bathe d ,
i e. th e int e r-c e llular
fluid .
I n e quilib ri um wi th blood
3t ream i n ve rteb rat es, it is norm a lly kept h ighly
constant
in composit i on (h omeos t asis).
INTERSTITIAL
cells.

- pertaining

to

or

situa

INTERTIDAL ZONE - pertaining
to the
between
the low and high water
INVERTEBRATES - animals

without

t ed in the

littoral
mark.

biological

process

region

between

that

is

backbones.

IN VITRO - by derivation,
means 'in glass'.
-applied
to any biological
study
done
laboratory
conditions.
IN VIVO - any
vironment.

space

occurring

In general,
under controlled

in

its

natural

IRRITABILITY
- responsiveness
to change
in environment
complex,
adaptive
activity:
a universal
property
living
things.
An example
would be the nervous
of animals.

by
of
activity

en-

 - 19 K

KELP - a large,
KINAESTHETIC

brown
- detecting

seaweed.
movement.

KINESIS - locomotory
movement of an organism
or cell
in response
to a stimulus
such that
the speed depends
on the strength
of stimulus,
but stimulus
does not control
direction
of
movement.
KREBS CYCLE - complex
cycle
of enzyme-controlled
reactions
in
which ATP, a source
of energy
is synthesized.
The cycle
is the final
step
in oxidation
of glucose
and takes
place
in the cell.

 - 20 L

LARVA - pre-adult
form in which
capable
of survival
on its
reproduction
and distinctly
mature
adult.

some animals
hatch
from eggs;
own, usually
incapable
of sexual
different
in form from sexually

LATERAL LINE SYSTEM - system of sense organs
present
in aquatic
vertebrates,
in pores
arranged
in a line down each side of
the body and in patterns
on the head:
detects
pressure
changes
and vibrations
in water.
LCS0

see

Median

Lethal

Concentration.

LDS0 - see

Median

Lethal

dose.

LEACH - to

dissolve

out

of

a percolating

LENTIC ENVIRONMENT - standing
water,
and
grades.
Examples
are lakes,
ponds,

its various
and swamps.

LESION - damage
organ.
LETHAL - causing
action .

or

by the

a change

death,

or

in

action

function

sufficient

or

to

structure

cause

liqui
inter

of

death

d.

-

an

by di rect

LETHARGIC STATE - an abn o rmal state
or a disorder
, char a ct er i zed
b y having
th e f ac u l ti es and energies
s u s p e nd e d in an orga n i s m.
LIFE

CYCLE - p rogress
ganism
or lineal
zation
to death.

i ve se r ies - o f c han g es un d e rgon e b y an orsuccessio
n of orga n isms,
f r om fer t il i -

LIMNETIC ZONE - the open water
region
of a lake.
supports
plankton
and fish
as the princ i pal
animals.

Th i s regi on
plant s and

LIMNOLOGY - the

inhabitants

study

of

fresh

waters

and

t heir

.

LITTORAL - inhabiting
bottom
of sea or lake near sh or e, ro ughly
within
a depth
to which light
and wave act i on r eac h.
For
sea,
usually
taken
as between
high tide
mark an d 200 metres;
for lakes,
approximately
down to 10 metres.
LOTIC ENVIRONMENT - running

waters,

such

as

a stream

or

r iver.

 - 21

-

M

MACRO-ORGANISM - any
MALIGNANT - tending
checked
could

organism

visible

to

the

to bec0me progressively
result
in death.

naked
worse,

e ye .
and

if

un-

MEDIAN EFFECTIVE CONCENTRATION (ECS0) - the concentration
of a
substance
in a suitable
diluent
that
evokes
a 50% response
(may be lethal
or sublethal)
in a sample of test
animals
within
a prescribed
exposure
interval.
MEDIAN EFFECTIVE DOSE (EDS0) - a term corresponding
to ECS0 ,
universally
used in pharmacology
and toxicology
, where
'D' represents
dose,
the amount of substance
taken
inside
the animal
by injection
or ingestion,
that
evokes
a 50%
response.
MEDIAN LETHAL CONCENTRATION (LCS0 or TLrn) - the concentratio
n
of a substance
in a suitable
diluent
that
evokes
a 50%
mortality
in a sample of test
animals
within
a prescrib
ed
exposure
interval
(usually
48 or 96 hours).
MEDIAN LETHAL DOSE (LDS0) - a term corresponding
to LCS0, universally
used in pharmacology
and toxicology
, where
'D'
represents
dose,
the amount of substance
taken
inside
the
animal
by injection
or ingestion,
that
evokes
a 50% mortali ty.
MEDIAN LETHAL TIME (LTS0) - the
individuals
in a sample of
exposure
interval.

time
test

to death
of 50% of the
animals
within
a prescribed

MEDIAN TOLERANCE LIMIT (TLrn) - see Median Lethal
TLm corresponds
to LCS0 and is used primarily
MEDUSA - free-swimming
shaped,
swimming
jelly-fish.

form of Coelenterater
by pulsations
of body.

Concentration.
in U.S.A.

bell
or umbrella
Example is a

MEROMICTIC LAKE - a lake in which dissolved
substances
create
a gradient
of density
difference
in depth,
preventing
complete
mixing
or circulation
of the water.
MESOPHILIC - a characteristic
at medium terperatures
METAPLASIA - a change
in
not normal
for that

denoting
an organism
(80.F to 100.F).
the cells
tissue.

of

a tissue

to

that

form

thrives

which

is

 - 22 METASTABLE - marked

only

MICROFAUNA - all
the
c r oscopic
size.

by a slight

animal

life

MICR O-ORGANI SM - any minute
i ble to the naked eye.
MIC RON - one

in

MIXOHALINE WATER - brackish

of

a region

organism

(10- 6 ) of

millionth

margin

stability.

that

invisible

a re

or

of

barely

a mi-

vis-

a metre.

water.

MOLLUSCA - a large
phylum of animals
commonly called
shellfish.
All have a soft
unsegmented
body protected
in most cases
by a calcareous
shell.
Examples
are snails,
mussels,
clams,
and oysters.
MORBIDITY - the

occurrence

MORPHOLOGY - the

study

of

of

a disease

form

and

structure

MORTALITY (percent)
- ratio
of number
ber in population,
times
100.
MOTILE - exhibiting,

or

MOTION, BROWNIAN - the
due to bombardment
thermal
motion.
MOUSSE - a water-in-oil
MYCOLOGY - the

study

capable

of

of
deaths

spontaneous

living
over

organisms.
total

fungi.

num-

movement.

rapid
random motion
of small
particles
by surrounding
molecules
which are

emulsion.
of

of

state.

in

 -

23 N

NEBULIZE - to

reduce

NECROSIS - death

of

NEKTON - swimming

to

a fine

spray.

tissue.

animals

of

pelagic

zone

in

sea

or

lake.

NEMATODA - unsegmented
roundworms;
some are free
living
fresh
water
and salt
water;
some are parasitic
in
and animal
tissue.
NEOPLASM - any

abnormal

growth,

such

as a tumor.

NEOTENY - persistence
of the
opment,
either
temporary,
opment,
or permanent.

form of an early
eg. climatically

NERITIC ~ inh~biting
trarily
taken
metres.

the sea
to be sea

over the
where it

NEURAL - concerned

with

the

nervous

resting

or

stage
of
delayed

Cont~nental
is shallower

develdevel-

Shelf;
than

arbi200

system.

NEUROHUMORAL- acting
by transmission
a synapse
by secretion
of minute
stance
from the nerve
fibre.
NEUSTON - organism
water.

in soil,
plant

swimming

of a nerve
impulse
amount of chemical

on the

surface

across
sub-

film

NICHE - the role
of an organism
(plant
or animal)
in the
munity;
term stresses
the function
of each organism
than its physical
place
in the habitat.
NIDICOLOUS BIRDS - those which hatch
in relatively
state
and stay
in the nest
some time after
NIDIFUGOUS BIRDS - those
the nest
immediately.
NUNATAK - see

which

hatch

well-developed

of

comrather

undeveloped
hatching.
and

leave

Refugium.

NYMPH - young stage
of
tures
but sexually

insect;
resembling
immature
and with

adult
in some
underdeveloped

feawings.

 - 24

-

0

OCEANI C~

inhabiting

OCEANOGRAPHY - the
and biological

the

sea

study
of
aspects

OLFACTORY - pertaining

to

where

it

is

deeper

the physical,
of the sea.

the

sense

of

chemical,

a diet

of both

ONTOGENY - the whole course
duals
life
history.
OPERCULAR CAVITY - space

gill

ORGANIC DETRITUS - the particulate
plants
and animals.
OSTEICHTHYES - bony

fish.

OVERTURN - see

Overturn,

Fall

plants

of development

inside

geological,

in terms

and

of

organic

animals.

during

an indivi-

cover.
remains

and

200 metres.

smell.

OLIGOTROPHIC (of lakes)
- poorly
productive
matter
formed;
nutrient
supply
low.
OMN"IVOROUS- eating

than

Spring

of disintegrated

Overturn.

OXYGEN-DEBT - a phenomenon
that
occurs
in an organism
when
available
oxygen is inadequate
to supply
respiratory
needs,
resulting
in the accumulation
of metabolic
by-products
in
the organism's
body.
QXYHAEMOGLOBIN- oxygenated

haemoglobin.

 -

25

-

p

PAEDOGENESIS - reproduction

in

larval

or

other

pre-ad

u lt

PARASITE - an organism
that
lives
on or in a host organi
which
it obtains
nourishment
at the expense
of the
during
all or part
of its existence.
PARASITOLOGY - the
others.
PARR - a young
also
refer

study

of plants

and

animals

salmon having
dark crossbars
to young of certain
other

which

f o rm .
s m fr om
lat t er

live

on

on it s sides;
may
fish , as the codfish.

PARTS PER MILLION (ppm) - unit commonly used to desi gnate
the
concentration
of a substance
in a waste water
i n t erms of
weight .
Ppm is almost
synonymous
with milligram
s per litre
(mg/1),
which is replacing
the term ppm .
PAS SERINES - a major group of birds7
perchi ng wi th one toe
backwards
and three
forward.
Contains
ab out h alf the
kno wn sp ec i e s of birds,
incl udi ng most common inland
ones.
PATHOGEN - any
PATHOGENESIS
lopment

d i sease

-producing

o rgan is m o r material.

- the pro duction
or th e mode o f origin
of a disease
c o nd i tion.

PATHOLOGY - the

study

PELAGIC - inhabiting,
in the case of
sea or lake.

of

cells

or living
sea birds)

exhibiting
in close
the large

deranged

and

deve-

functions.

association
with
mass of water
in

(as
a

PELAGIC ZONE - the mass of water
in a sea or lake,
in contrast
to the sea or lake bottom;
commonly called
the free-water
region.
Pelagic
animals
and plants
a re divided
into plankton and nekton
(fish,
aquatic
mammals, etc.)
PERIPHYTON - the association
of
various
surfaces
projecting
PHAEOPHYTA - brown
in cold water~
zone.
PHAGE (Bacteriophage)

aquatic
above

organisms
the bottom.

algae
(seaweed);
marine,
usually
benthic,
common inhabitants
of

- a virus

that

parasites

attached

to

abundent
intertidal

bacteria.

PHEROMONE - a chemical
substance
which is released
by an animal
and influences
the behaviour
of another
individual
of the
sa me species,
eg. sex odours.

 -

26

-

PHOSPHORYLATION - combination
of organic
acceptor
molecule
(e g .
sugar)
with phosphate
, resulting
in formati o n of high
energy
bonds.
Process
is carried
out in c e ll . Most impo r tant
high energy
compound is A. T.P ., u niv e r s a l ly pre sent
in living
organisms.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS - the formation
dioxide
and water
in the
in plant
tissues.
PHOTOTROPISM - movement
PHYLUM - one

of

the

PHYSIOLOGY - study
g a nisms.

in response

major

groups

of the

PI NNIPE DIA - seals,
mammals.
PISCES

to

to
used

processes

PHYTOPLANKTON- the plant
attached
in wat e r.
Con ta ins chlorophyll
majo r p art of earths
PHYTOTOXIC - harm f ul

of carbohydrate
fro m carbon
presence
of ch l orophyll
and

a light
to

gradie

classify

which

l ig h t ,

nt .

ani ma l s.

go on in

liv ing

or-

section
of plankton
, that
liv e unFound near or on surfac e o f water.
, and through
photo sy nth es i s, produce
organic
matter .
p lants

walruses,

.
s e a l i o ns 7 spe ci al i ze d aquatic

- fish.

PLAGIOCLIMAX - type of plant
community
existing
environmental
conditions,
achieved
the natural
climax
state.

in equilibrium
but which has

under
not

PLANKTON - animals
and plants
of sea or lakes
which float
or
drift
almost
passively.
They are mostly
very small,
the
smallest
being
diatoms.
P~ankton
is found mainly
near the
surface
where the plants
get suitable
illumination.
Plankton is of great
ecological
and economic
importance
as it
is the primary
food level
from which all
other
aquatic
animals
derive
their
energy.
PLASMOLYSIS - the shrinking
of a living
cell
due

PLATYHELMENTHES
- see

to

of the
water

cytoplasm
away
loss by osmotic

from the
action.

wall

Flatworms.

PLECOPTERA - stoneflies.
nymphsi
very sensitive
a fast
moving stream
ganisms.

Small order
of insects
to trace
amounts
of
and therefore
used as

with aquatic
pollution
in
indicator
or-

 - 27 lungs

PNEUMOCONIOSIS - a fibrous
reacti·on
i·n the
reaction
of certain
inhaled
dusts.

but actually
POIKILOTHERMIC - 1 co ld b looded',
temperature,
which approximately
follows
roundings.
Characteristic
of all animals
and mammals.

caused

by the

with varying
body
that
of t he surexcept
birds

POLLUTION - an event
or a continuing
circumstance
whereby
there
are introduced
into the environment
of air,
land,
and water,
substances
that
may adversely
affect
the balance
of nature
and human well being.
POLYP - sedentary

form

of

POPULATION - a community
at a given
locality.
POPULATION CYCLE - rise
natural
conditions

coelenterate.
of

POTENTIATION

- see

POTOMOLOGY - the
and biological

potentially

and fall
of
with regular

PORIFERA - sessile
animals
etc.
Commonly called

eg.

breeding

to

numbers
.

piers,

under

pilings

, rocks,

.

study
of the physical,
aspec ts of rivers.

PRODUCERS - organisms
that
stances
from inorganic

individuals

population
periodicity

that
fasten
sponges.

Synergism

hydra.

synthesize
substances.

chemical,

their

geological,

own organic

sub-

PRODUCTIVITY (of an ecosystem)
- primary
productivity
is the
rate
at which energy
from light
is absorbed
and utilized
with
carbon
dioxide
in the production
of organic
matter
in photosynthesis.
Net production
is given by the amount
of organic
matter
formed in excess
of that
used in respiration.
It represents
food potentially
available
to the
consumers
of the ecosystem.
PRODUCTIVITY (of an organism)
- a time-rate
unit
amount of biomass
produced
by the organism.
PROFUNDAL ZONE - the
light
penetration

deep
in

PROTISTA - all
organisms
Examples
are algae,

area beyond the
a body of water.
of simple
bacteria,

depth

biological
fungi
and

of

of

the

total

effective

organization.
protozoa.

 -

28

-

PROTOZOA - animals
consisting
either
of
single
cell
r of
aggregates
of cells,
each
f which performs
11 he ess ntial
functions
of life.
They are mostly m·c
c p · c nd
largely
aquatic.
PUPA - stage
between
locomotion
and
occurs.

larva
feeding

and adult
of some insects,
i n which
cease,
but great
developmental
chang

 I
I
I

I

- 29

-

-1L.
RADIOLARIA - group
RATITES

- flightless

of marine

planktonic

Protozoa.

birds.

REDD - a type of fish-spawning
area associated
with running
water
and clean
gravel.
Fishes
that
utilize
this
type
spawning
area include
some trout,
salmon and minnows.

of

REDUCERS - organisms
that
digest
food outside
the cell
wall
means of enzymes secreted
for this
purpose.
Examples
are fungi,
bacteria,
protozoa,
and non-pigmented
algae.
REFUGIUM - a locality
which has
following
climatic
change,
a whole.

escaped
drastic
in contrast
to

REGRESSION - a trend
or shift
toward a mean.
or curve
is one that
best
fits
a particular
according
to some principle.
ROTIFERS (Rotatoria)
free
living,
of habitats.

alteration
the region

by

as

A regression
line ·
set of data

- microscopic
aquatic
animals,
fresh-water
forms that
occur
in

primarily
a variety

 - 30

-

s
SAPROPHYTE - .an organism
solution
from dead
animals.

which obtains
organic
matter
and decaying
tissues
of plants

SCAVENGER - an organism
matter.

that

feeds

upon

decomposing

in
and

organic

SCUDS (Amphipods)
- macroscopic
aquatic
crustaceans
that
ar e
laterally
compressed.
Great numbers are consumed by fish

.

SCYPHOZOA - jelly-fish.
SEDIMENTATION - the process
of deposition
from a waste water,
by gravity.

of

SEEDING - introduction
of micro-organisms
oxidation
unit,
to minimize
the time
a biological
sludge.

into a biological
required
to build

SESSILE

- fixed

SHELLFISH

to

the

substratum;

- common name for

SHELLFISH POISON
upon c e rtain
ci p les e xi s t
o ut h ar mful
cons umpt i o n

shelled

suspended

matter

sedentary.
molluscs

and

crust

a c eans.

- a poison
present
in shellfish
that
hav e f ed
marine
phytoplankters
in which th e to x ic pr in . The s hellfish
concentrat
es t he p o i so n wi t h effect s to itself,
but man is pois on e d thr o u gh
o f th e t oxic flesh.

SMOLT - a y oung, sil v er y salmon mi g r a tin g to
the stages
of par r and gr i lse.

th e sea;

SPASM - an involuntary
and
sudden
and forceful.

contraction,

SPAWNING - depositing
lizing
of these

abnormal

muscular

of eggs in water
by the male.

by female,

and

between

us u ally

ferti-

SPECIALIZED - having
specialized
adaptations
to a part i cular
habitat
or mode of life,
which tend to restrict
t h e range
of habitat
which can be occupied,
and the mode of l i fe
which can be followed.
SPECIATION

- origin

of

species.

 - 31 SPECIES - a natural
population
, or group of populations
th a t
are reproductively
isolated
from other
populati
o ns with
which they might breed .
SPILL,MINOR OIL - less
than
less
than 1,000 gallons

100 gallons
in offshore

in int e rna l wat e r s,
waters .

SPILL,

MODERATE OIL - 100 gallons
to 10,000 gallons
in the
ternal
waters
and 1,000 to 100,000
gallons
in offshore
waters.

SPILL,

MAJOR OIL - more than 10,000 gallons
or more than 100,000
gallons
in offshore

SPONGES - see

in

inter
waters

or

in-

n a l wat ers,
.

Porifera.

S PORE - a reproductive

element

of many lower

organism

s.

S PRING OVERTURN - a physical
phenomenon
that
may t a k e p lace
in
a body of wat e r during
the early
spring;
caus ed by melting
of ice cov e r , warming of surface
waters , d e n s ity c h ange
in surfac e wa t er s producing
convection
cu r rents
fr om top
to b o ttom , circu l ation
of the tota l water
vol ume by wind
a cti on , and v er tic a l tempe r ature
e qua l i t y of 4·c.
The
ov e rt ur n res u l t s i n a uniformity
of th e phy s i cal and chemic al p r o p erties
of the wa t e r .
STANDIN G CROP - the
date.

b i ota

prese nt

STENOHALINE - unable
to tolerate
pressure
of environment.
STENOTHERMOUS - unable
to
ture
of environment.

tolerate

i n an environment

wide

variation

wide

STENOTOPIC ORGANISMS - organisms
with
ance for a particular
environmental

variation

a narrow
factor.

on a selected

of

osmotic

of

range

tempera-

of

toler-

STRATIFICATION (of a lake)
- a phenomenon
in which a distinct
density
gradient
is produced
in a body of water
by the
warming
of the surface
layers.
Stratification
sets
in
during
the summer months and consists
of three
layers:
the epilimnion
- the wind-stirred
and largely
homogenous
water
layer
near the surface;
the thermocline
- the layer
of rapid
vertical
temperature
change
(a thermal
gradient
of at least
1·c per metre);
and below the thermocline,
the hypolimnion
- the relatively
stagnant
water
mass near
the bottom.
Stratification
results
in considerable
tern-

 -

perature
circulation,
biota
of

32

-

changes
in the water,
all of which have
the lake.

SUBLETHAL - below
a prescribed

the level
exposure

stagnation,
a profound

which directly
interval.

SUBLITTORAL ZONE - the part
of the shore
level
to the lower boundary
of plant

and lack of
effect
upon the

cause

death

from the
growth.

SWIMBLADDER - an internal,
membraneous,
gas-filled
many fishes.
It may function
as a hydrostatic
organ,
or as part
of the respiratory
system.
SYMBIOSIS - tw-o organisms
one or both of which
SYNAPSE - the

of different
may benefit

physiological

junction

SYNERGISM - a situation
in which the combined
or more agents
acting
together
is greater
of the action
of these
agents
separately.
SYSTEMATICS - the

science

SYSTEMIC - relating
to
individual
parts.

of
the

organism

body

lowest

water

organ of
or sense

species
living
and neither
is
between

within

together,
harmed.

nerve-cells.
action
than

of
the

two
sum

classification.

as a whole,

rather

than

to

its

 - 33

-

T

TAXIS

- Locomotory
to a directional
taxis.

movement of
stimulus,

TELEOSTEI - a subclass
ing fish
(20,000

an organism
or
eg. chemotaxis,

containing
species).

the

great

cell
in response
geotaxis,
photo-

majority

of

exist-

THERMOCLINE - a layer
in a body of stratified
water
characterized by a rapid
vertical
temperature
change
(ie.
a thermal
gradient
of at least
1·c per metre).
THERMOPHILIC - characteristic
at higher
temperatures
THRESHOLD - that
intensity
response
by a given

denoting
(120·F
to

an organism
130·F).

of stimulus
below
irritable
tissue.

THRESHOLD ODOUR CONCENTRATION - the least
in water
that
is detectable
by smell.
TLm - see

Median

Tolerance

that

which

amount

there

of

thrives

is

no

a substance

Limit.

TOLERANT ASSOCIATION - an association
of organisms
capable
of
withstanding
adverse
conditions
within
the habitat.
It
is characterized
by a reduction
in susceptible
species
(from a clean
water
association)
and an increase
in
individuals
from tolerant
species.
TOXICOLOGY - the study of poisons,
fication,
physiologic
action
TRICHOPTERA - caddis
flies
in cases
in fast-flowing

their
preparation,
and antidotes.

(insects);
waters

the aquatic
and are used

identi-

larvae
live
as indicators.

TRICKLING FILTER - a biological
oxidation
unit
consisting
of a
bed or rack over which waste water
is distributed
for contact
with the biological
growths
which develop
on the
filter
medium.
TROPHIC LEVEL - each successive
level
of nourishment
represented
by the links
of the food chain
is known as a
trophic
level.
The plant
producers
within
an ecosystem
constitute
the first
trophic
level,
the herbivores
form
the second
trophic
level,
and the primary
carnivores
represent
the third
level.
Additional
links
in the food
chain
constitute
further
trophic
levels.

 I
I

-

34 -

w
WARM and COLD WATER FISH - examples
of warm water
f ish include
black
bass,
sunfish,
catfish,
gar,
etc.
Cold water
fish
include
salmon,
trout,
whitefish,
etc.
The temperature
factor
determining
distribution
is set by adaptation
of the
eggs to warm or cold water.
WARNING (Aposematic)
COLOURATION - conspicuous
markings
animal
which is poisonous,
distasteful
, etc . that
predators
from attacking.

on an
keep

 I
I
I
I
I

I

- 35 -

z
ZOOGLEA - bacteria
embedded
the result
of metabolic
ZOOID - member
ZOOLOGY - the

of
study

a colony
of

in a jelly-like
activities.
of

animals

which

matrix

are

formed

joined

as

together.

animals.

ZOOPLANKTON - protozoa
and other
animal micro-organisms
living
unattached
in water,
ana, along with phytoplankton,
make
up the planktonic
populations
of the lakes
and seas.