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Water fysiology and -chemistry

5 important questions on Water fysiology and -chemistry

Why is phosphorus needed in water, and what will happen if there is too much of it?

Phosphorus is essential for plant growth. Too much speeds up eutrophication. Oxygen in the water will get reduced because of an increase in mineral and organic nutrients.

Which one of the next options will drastically increase the population growth in a river? No fertilizing, adding only nitrogen, adding only phosphorus, or adding nitrogen and phosphorus. Why?

Adding nitrogen and phosphorus. Adding only one of these components means that the other component (that is not used) becomes limiting. Therefore, the population will not increase much. Adding both at the same time means more growth because there are no limitations.

What is a trace element?

A chemical element whose concentration is very low. These trace elements can be essential or non-essential.

What will happen with the components ca, carbonate, pH, dissolved organic C, total N, and total P in a lake through time?

In the beginning ca, carbonate and pH are high. Dissolved organic C, total N and total P are low. Through time ca, carbonate and pH will go down, because of leaching of the catchment. P is insoluble so declines just a bit. N is fixed from the atmosphere and will reach a certain level and will not get higher. Dissolved organic C will only increase in time. The lake will store more and more carbon.

What is metalimnion, epilimnion and hypolimnion?

Metalimnion is the line between cold and warm water in a lake (thermocline). Epilimnion is the layer above the metalimnion and is warmer. Hypolimnion is the layer under the metalimnion and is a lot colder.

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ABME02

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