LaMotte Water & Soil pH - Manual (Page 11)

GLOS SARY OF TERMS
ABSORB: To take a substance into the physical structure of a liquid or
solid without a chemical reaction.
ACIDIC: A substance with a pH below 7.0.
ALGAE: Plants, usually aquatic, with simple cellular structure which do
not have leaves, roots, flowers or seeds. All algae contain chlorophyll to
convert solar energy (sunlight) to chemical energy, which is needed for
survival.
AQUATIC: Living or growing in a water environment.
AVAILABILITY: Generally refers to plants; nutrients which are in a form
which can be used by the plants.
BACTERIA: Microscopic, single-celled organisms which live in soil and
water. In soil, bacteria increase soil fertility by breaking down complex
substances, fertilizer and vegetable matter in the soil by decay, and convert
these substances to simpler forms which can be used by the plants. In
water, bacteria are responsible for the breakdown of organic matter and
may produce disease.
BASIC: A substance with a pH above 7.0.
CLAY: The smallest soil particle. When wet clay soil is sticky or greasy to
the touch, but is extremely hard and brick-like when dry.
COMPOUND: A mixture of several chemicals. Two or more elements
combined by chemical bonds.
CORROSION: The process of deterioration where metal parts are slowly
eaten away, usually by acidic solutions. Corrosion usually occurs when
oxygen comes into contact with metal surfaces.
FERTILIZER: Any natural or manufactured product added to soil to
supply one or more nutrients.
FLOCCULATION: The process by which particles in solution are bound
together to promote the formation of an aggregate; flocculation speeds the
rate of settling of particles in solution.
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