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Glossary

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G

GLYPHOSATE | An herbicide applied to leaves. Used to control shoreline aquatic weeds.
GFCI | Ground fault circuit interrupter. A device designed to protect from electrical shock by interrupting a circuit when it senses a difference in current between "hot" and "neutral" wires.
GROUNDWATER | Water that exists below the earth's surface in underground streams or aquifers.

H

HABITAT | The sum of environmental conditions that make up where a population or individual animal or plant live.
HETEROTROPHIC MICROORGANISMS | Bacteria and other microorganisms that use organic matter synthesized by other organisms for energy and growth.
HNL | A form of scientific fish sampling using a "hook and line."
HYBRID/HYBRID FISH | The progeny of (i.e., cross of) two fish belonging to different species; hybrids are usually infertile.
HYDROGEN SULFIDE | Noxious gas formed by decomposition of dead organic matter in anoxic sediments.
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE | Perpetual movement (cycling) of water between the land, ocean and atmosphere. Driven by the sun's energy.
HYPEREUTROPHIC | A nutrient-rich lake characterized by high algal production (frequent
algal blooms) and low water clarity.
HYPOLIMNETIC AERATION | Adding oxygen to the lower part of a lake without disrupting thermal stratification.
HYPOLIMNION | The lowest layer in a thermally stratified lake or reservoir. This layer consists of colder, more dense water, has a constant temperature and no mixing occurs.

I

IMPOUNDMENT | The body of water backed up behind a dam.
INTERNAL NUTRIENT LOADING | Nutrients (primarily phosphorus) released from bottom sediments of a lake, usually when lake bottom is anoxic.
INVASIVE SPECIES | Aka exotic species; a nonnative plant or animal whose introduction causes economic or environmental harm, or harm to humans.

L

LENTIC | Relating to or living in still waters (lakes, ponds, wetlands).
LEVEE | Natural or artificial embankment which parallels a river or stream.
LIMITING NUTRIENT | The nutrient that limits the growth of an organism. In lakes it usually refers to the nutrient that limits algal growth.
LIMNOLOGY | The scientific study of inland waters (usually freshwaters such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands, etc.).
LITTORAL ZONE | 1. The shallow zone of a lake or pond extending from the shoreline lakeward to the greatest depth occupied by rooted plants. 2. The strip of land along the shoreline between the high and low water levels.
LOADING | The input of a substance into a water body (e.g., nutrient loading).