GLOSSARY 

Abatement - action taken to correct or eliminate pollution within, associated with, or impacting

a drainage system.

Aeration - the process of supplying air to a lake; promotes degradation of organic matter.

Alkalinity - the quantity of compounds which shifts the pH to the basic (not acidic) side of the

pH range; the capacity to neutralize acids.

Ammonia - a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen which can be directly utilized by algae and

larger aquatic plants.

Anoxic - a condition of being without oxygen; often occurs near the bottom of very productive

and stratified lakes.

Biomass - weight of all organic matter in an specific ecosystem; often refers to vegetation.

Chlorophyll-a - a green pigment found in plants that carry out photosynthesis; often in direct

proportion to the biomass of planktonic algae (small aquatic plants suspended in the water)..

Dissolved Solids - organic and inorganic materials dissolved in the water.

KR = Kissimmee River Basin; LE = Little Econlockahatchee River Sub-Basin; 

Epilimnion - the uppermost layer of water in a thermally stratified lake.

Eutrophic - describes a lake with high concentrations of nutrients as well as abundant to

excessive algal populations; Trophic State Index values between 61 & 70.

Eutrophication - the process of physical, chemical and biological aging of a lake associated

with nutrient, organic and sediment input into the lake.

Hypereutrophic - lakes characterized by very high productivity, very high nutrients; often 

showing persistent algae blooms, extreme dissolved oxygen concentrations and deep organic

muck layers; Trophic State Index values above 70.

Hypolimnion - the bottom layer of a thermally stratified lake; can be anoxic.

Littoral Zone - shallow zone along the shoreline; usually contains rooted plants.

Macroinvertibrates - aquatic invertebrate animals large enough to see with the eye; insects,

worms, mollusks, etc. make up the majority of the macroinvertebrates.

Macrophytes - rooted or floating aquatic vascular plants and large non-planktonic algae.

Mesotrophic - describes a lake with moderate concentrations of nutrients and algal levels;

occasional water quality problems; Trophic State Index value between 50 & 60.

Metalimnion - the layer of water between the epilimnion and the hypolimnion in a stratified

lake; often an area of rapid temperature and density change.

Morphology - relating to physical structure (depth, shoreline length, shape) of a lake.

Nitrate - an inorganic form of nitrogen which can be utilized by algae and other plants.

Nitrite - an inorganic form of nitrogen which can be utilized by algae and other plants.

Nitrogen - a nutrient which can have a significant impact on the productivity of a lake by

increasing algal populations.

Oligotrophic - describes a lake with clear water, low nutrients and few water quality problems;

low productivity; Trophic State Index value below 50.

Ortho Phosphorus - a soluble form of phosphorus that can be directly utilized by algae and

larger plants.

Parameters - measurable physical and chemical properties whose values can be used to  

determine the characteristics of the lake.

pH - the expression of the intensity of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The range is

from 0-14, with 0 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being the most basic.

Phosphorus - essential nutrient that can contribute to the eutrophication of a lake by causing

excessive algal growth.

Phytoplankton -  tiny, free-floating aquatic plants found in or on water bodies.

Retrofit - an addition to an existing stormwater facility.

Secchi Depth - a measure of the transparency of the water column.

Specific Conductivity - the capacity of water to carry an electrical current; used to estimate the

dissolved solid content of the water column.

Stratification - process by which lakes separate into thermal layers.

Suspended Solids - small particles that float on or are suspended within the water column. 

Trophic State - a measure of the degree of productivity in the water column.

Zooplankton - tiny aquatic animals that float in or on water bodies.

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