6 Terms
Contributors in Marine biology
Marine biology
Molecular diffusion
Biology; Marine biology
The process by which carbon dioxide moves freely between air and sea. The exchange occurs in a film of water at the surface. Carbon dioxide travels wherever concentrations are lowest. If levels in ...
Ecological niche
Biology; Marine biology
The role a plant or animal plays in its community. The niche of an organism is defined by what it eats, its predators, salt tolerances, light requirements etc. Two species cannot live stably in the ...
Chemosynthesis
Biology; Marine biology
The process whereby chemical energy is used to make organic compounds from inorganic compounds. One example is the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite by nitrifying bacteria.
Bioaccumulation
Biology; Marine biology
The process whereby pollutants are taken up, retained and concentrated in the cells of plants and animals.
Taxonomy
Biology; Marine biology
The theory and practise of describing, naming and classifying plants and animals. See also systematics.
Calcification
Biology; Marine biology
The process by which corals extract calcium from seawater and create calcium carbonate.
Ecology
Biology; Marine biology
The study of the physical and biological interactions between an organism and its natural environment.
