3.1. Definition and Biological Agents

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define diffusion in your own words.

   Hint

   Think about how a drop of food coloring spreads in water.

2. 2.

   What is resuspension?

   Hint

   Consider what happens during a storm.

3. 3.

   What is the main process by which particles move from areas of high concentration to low concentration?

   • Osmosis
   • Diffusion
   • Filtration

   Hint

   Consider how substances disperse in a liquid.

4. 4.

   True or False: Resuspension only occurs in still water.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about turbulent conditions.

5. 5.

   Consider a lake impacted by agricultural runoff. How would diffusion, resuspension, and bioturbation influence the distribution of nutrients and pollutants in the water?

   Hint

   Think about the effects of heavy rain and how organisms might help or hinder the situation.

6. 6.

   Imagine a scenario where a major flood occurred. Describe how the mechanisms discussed—diffusion, resuspension, and bioturbation—would interplay in affecting water quality.

   Hint

   Consider how water movement changes everything during a flood.