Marine biology

Marine biology

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Marine biology

benthos

Biology; Marine biology

Organisms that live associated with the sea bottom. Examples include burrowing clams, sea grasses, sea urchins, acorn barnacles.

meroplankton

Biology; Marine biology

Organisms that spend part of their time in the plankton but also spend time in the benthos (e.g., planktonic larvae of benthic invertebrates).

organic

Biology; Marine biology

Part of or derived from living organisms. Or a chemical compound that contains carbon as an essential component.

inorganic

Biology; Marine biology

Part of or derived from non-biological material. A chemical compound that does not include a carbon chain.

detritus

Biology; Marine biology

Particulate material that enters into a marine or aquatic system. If derived from decaying organic matter it is organic detritus. See also detrivore.

nekton

Biology; Marine biology

Pelagic organisms that are free-swimming and so whose movements are independent of the tides, currents and waves. Such animals include fish, whales, squid, crabs and shrimps. The distribution of ...

plankton

Biology; Marine biology

Pelagic organisms that float through the water column, not attached to any substrate and unable to move against the currents and tides. Plankton can be further divided into phytoplankton and ...