Glossary A...
Abdomen: the belly region
of a vertebrate animal, or the hind segment
of the body of an insect, crustacean or
other arthropod.
Abiotic: Non-living (physical
and chemical parts) that affect a marine
organism's life. For example salinity, temperature,
oxygen or pressure.
Aboard: On board a vessel
at sea.
Abyss: The deep sea environment
between 4000 & 6000 m.
Abyssal plain: the flattened
floor of the deep ocean offshore from the
continental margin.
Abyssal zone: the deep
sea region below 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).
Acclimatisation: The
process of gradually introducing a newly
acquired fish or invertebrate to its aquarium.
Process where anemone fish gradually gets
used to nematocysts of anemone.
Acids: Compounds which
have a pH value below 7. Compounds that
dissociate in water to form H+ ions.
Acrylic: Very hard form
of plastic used in boat parts and aquariums.
Adaptation: a characteristic
body part, shape or behavior that helps
a plant or animal survive in its environment.
Adult stage: The mature
stage of an organism which is capable of
reproduction.
Aeration: A process of
maintaining the oxygen level of the water
by pushing air bubbles up through it.
Aerobic: containing oxygen
or requiring oxygen.
Aft: Toward the stern
or rear part of a boat.
Aggressors: Animals which
attack other animals for food or for the
defence of their territory.
Ahead: In a forward direction
or in the front of the boat.
Airway: Refers to the
tube that connects the mouth to the lungs
- the pharynx and bronchi.
Albatross: a large seabird
that spends much of its life wandering over
the open ocean far from land.
Algae: a large group
of primitive plants that live mostly in
water. Kelp and other seaweeds are algae.
Algae have simple bodies--many kinds exist
as single cells.
Algal blooms: An increase
in the concentration of phytoplankton. Sometimes
caused by excess nutrients.
Algin: a slippery substance
extracted from brown algae, including kelp.
Algin is used in paint, toothpaste, ice
cream and many other products because it
thickens liquids and binds oily and watery
liquids together.
Alkaline: Substance with
pH between 814.
Alternation of generations:
A life cycle in which the generation alternates
from sexual to asexual (occurs for example,
in sea lettuce).
Amateurs: Refers to people
who fish for recreation and who do not sell
their fish.
Amphipods : small, prawn
like crustaceans.
Anaerobic: not containing
oxygen or not requiring oxygen.
Anaesthetic: Substance
used to reduce pain in an area by controlling
nerve endings.
Anchovies: small silvery
fishes that swim in big schools. Anchovies
are eaten by tuna, salmon, penguins, and
many other predators.
Anemometer: An instrument
used to measure wind speed.
Anemone: a sea animal
with a crown of stinging tentacles at the
top of a fleshy stalk. Often called a "sea
anemone."
Anglers: Fishing term
for amateur fishers who fish with rod and
line.
Angling device: a modified
dorsal fin or chin barbel on some deep sea
fishes that acts like a rod and bait to
attract prey or mates.
Anoxic: without oxygen.
Antarctic convergence:
Distinct region where the warmer, northern
waters sink below cold Antarctic currents.
Antenna: a long, slender
organ or feeler located on the head of an
insect, crustacean or other arthropod; or
any long, slender rod used for gathering
or transmitting information.
Anti-fouling chemicals:
Chemicals which slow down the process of
attachment of marine animals, e.g. paints
which stop barnacles growing on the hull
of a ship.
Antibiotics: Chemicals
that stop the growth of bacteria.
Antivenene: Drug used
to combat specific marine venom, e.g. stonefish
antivenene.
Appendages: Attached
part of a limb of an animal, e.g. the leg
of crayfish is an appendage.
AQIS: Australian Quarantine
Inspection Service.
Aquaculture: Cultivation
of fish, molluscs and other aquatic organisms
in fresh or salt water for sale for food
for humans.
Aquarium: Pond or tank
in which living plants and animals are kept
away from their natural habitat.
Aquatic: of the water;
living in the water.
Armour: Outer covering
of organism used for protection
Arthropod: a large group
of invertebrate animals with jointed legs,
including the insects, scorpions, crustaceans
and spiders.
Artefacts: Items found
on shipwrecks.
Astern: In a backward
direction; behind the boat.
Atmosphere: Gaseous fluid
surrounding the Earth.
Atmospheric pressure:
the pressure of the air here on the earth's
surface. At sea level, atmospheric pressure
equals 14.7 pounds per square inch (2.6
kilograms per square centimeter). This amount
of pressure is known to scientists as one
atmosphere. People and other land animals
are adapted to one atmosphere of pressure
and thrive on the earth's surface. But water
is much heavier than air, and as we dive
into the ocean, pressure increases. Divers
feel an extra atmosphere's worth of pressure
with every 33 foot (10 meter) increase in
depth.
Atoll: a ring-shaped
coral reef that forms around a volcanic
island.
Aviary: an enclosure
where birds can fly around freely.
Avocet:
a shorebird with long legs and a very long,
upward-curving bill.
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