Fresh water Ecology
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Inorganic pollution such as dissolved heavy metals (e.g. copper) can have disastrous effects on fresh water ecology.
In streams and rivers water flowing over calcareous rock such as chalk or limestone will tend to be 'hard' with a high pH value. Such conditions favour calcicole plants and animals with calcareous shells such as gastropod molluscs and crayfish.
ix) The existence of a current
The existence of a current gives rise to the following features:
§ The eroding impact of a current tends to wash away the smaller and lighter soil particles such as clay, also the finely divided organic matter (detritus). These materials tend to accumulate on obstructions such as stones and the roots of plants. When the flow of water is slow, mud tends to accumulate at the sides of a stream and supports a characteristic flora and burrowing community of animals.
§ The churning action of the water ma ...
