Know Your Stuff
climate change | change from one climate condition to another. Global warming is expected to cause climate change. current | a flow of water in one direction. estuary | where fresh and salt water mix, in an area protected from the sea. habitat | a place where an animal or plant lives. marine | relating to the sea, the nearshore has lots of marine life. marsh | wet, soft land, usually with grass and cattail plants. mudflat | an area of mud slightly underwater, but occasionally exposed during low tide. organic material | material related to living organisms. permeability | the ability of soil or rock to transmit water. photic zone | the underwater area where sunlight reaches to help plants grow. plankton | tiny animals, bacteria, and plants in the water. A favorite snack for whales. porosity | refers to the amount of space between soil or rock particles. predator | one that preys on others for its survival. prey | an animal eaten by a predator for food. salinity | the concentration of salts dissolved in water. tide | the rise and fall of sea levels, caused by gravitational pulls on the Earth. turbidity | a measure of the clarity of the water. Turbid water is thick with sediment or organisms. If the water is turbid, it is not clear. watershed | the region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water. Image: An otter enjoys a nearshore snack. Photo: NOAA Photo Library
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