New York Sea Grant: Brown Tide Research Initiative List of Key Terms

Term Definition alga(e) Primitive, often aquatic, plants that carry on photosynthesis but lack the flowers, roots, stems, and leaves of higher plants. algal bloom High concentrations or densities of algae. allopathy The suppression of growth of an organism by another due to the release of a toxic substance. amino acids The building blocks for the synthesis of proteins. Can be a source of nitrogen and/or carbon. ammonium An ion, NH4, derived from ammonia by combination with a hydrogen ion that can be an inorganic source of nitrogen. anthropogenic (source of nutrients) Derived from humans (sewage) or human activities (e.g., crop farming, high intensity animal operations, automobile exhaust pipes, and urban runoff).