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2.3 Unity and Diversity of Aquatic Systems ................................ 28
2.3.1 The Unity of Aquatic Systems ................................... 28
2.4 Stratifi cation and Zones ......................................................... 29
2.4.1 Stratifi cation ............................................................... 29
2.4.2 Chemical Characteristics (Water Chemistry) ............. 29
2.5 Depth and Shoreline Development ........................................ 30
2.6 Movements and Water Currents ............................................. 30
2.7 Dissolved Salts and Nutrient Status ....................................... 30
Suggested Readings ........................................................................ 31
3 Lentic Water (Physico-chemical Characteristics of Water) ...... 33
3.1 Physical .................................................................................. 33
3.1.1 Temperature ............................................................... 33
3.1.2 Turbidity ..................................................................... 34
3.1.3 Transparency .............................................................. 35
3.2 Chemical ................................................................................ 35
3.2.1 Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH) ............................. 36
3.2.2 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ............................................ 37
3.2.3 Free Carbon Dioxide (FCO 2 ) ..................................... 41
3.2.4 Alkalinity ................................................................... 42
3.2.5 Specifi c Conductivity ................................................. 43
3.2.6 Carbon ........................................................................ 44
3.2.7 Productivity ................................................................ 44
3.2.8 Nutrients ..................................................................... 45
Suggested Readings ........................................................................ 45
4 Lentic Soil or Mud (Physico-chemical
Characteristics of Soil) ................................................................. 47
4.1 Wetland Soils: Morphology: Soil Types—Types
and Defi nitions ....................................................................... 47
4.1.1 Morphology: Soil Types—Types and Defi nitions...... 47
4.2 Organic Soils (Organic Wetland Soil) .................................... 48
4.2.1 Botanical Origin ......................................................... 48
4.3 Mineral Soils: Gleys (Mineral Wetland Soil) ........................ 49
4.4 Physical Characteristics ......................................................... 49
4.4.1 Soil Temperature ........................................................ 49
4.4.2 Soil Texture ................................................................ 50
4.4.3 Soil Colour ................................................................. 50
4.4.4 Soil Moisture Content ................................................ 51
4.4.5 Soil Bulk Density (BD) .............................................. 51
4.4.6 Water Infi ltration Rate of Soil .................................... 53
4.5 Chemical Characteristics ....................................................... 53
4.5.1 pH ............................................................................... 54
4.5.2 Conductivity ............................................................... 54
4.5.3 Organic Carbon (OC) ................................................. 54
4.5.4 Available Phosphorus (AP) ........................................ 55
4.5.5 Available Potassium (AK) ......................................... 56
Contents