salinity
the amount of dissolved salt in water
turbidity
cloudiness of water
phytoplankton
plant-like, including algae
zooplankton
animal-like, including organisms like single-celled protozoa or jellyfish
nekton
strong swimmers and consumers
benthos
bottom dwellers that anchor to the bottom of structures or walk along the sea floor
emergent vegetation
plants that are rooted to the bottom and emerge above the water's surface
detritus
dead matter and waste
floodplain
low-lying area next to a water body, subject to flooding
delta
a landform made of sediment that is deposited where a river flows into an ocean or lake
biodiversity
supports a wide variety of species of animals, plants, fungi, and protists
tidal range
the vertical difference between high and low tide
bioluminescence
can produce and emit light
abiotic condition near the equator
warm water