Glossary

reduction

Chemical process whereby an atom or ion gains electrons and undergoes a subsequent increase in valence; the act or process of being reduced. Opposite of oxidation.

Used in 60 species profiles

Related terms

denitrification
Reduction of nitrates to nitrites and ammonia by the breakdown of nitrogenous compounds, or conversion of nitrates into nitrogen-containing gases. Usually carried out by microorganisms.
depensation
Reduction in breeding population size leading to reduced fecundity in the overall population or stock of a species.
eutrophication
Hypertrophication; process by which addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, to a body of water increases the concentration of dissolved nutrients, this in turn stimulating the growth of aquatic plant life, especially phytoplankton, and typically resulting in depletion of dissolved oxygen. Negative effects include reductions in populations of fishes and other organisms incapable of withstanding this hypoxia.
osmotic shock
Rupture of cells in a solution as a result of a sudden reduction in osmotic pressure. Can cause severe issues in fishes when the chemical composition of the water changes rapidly, e.g., during or following a pH crash.
oxidation
Chemical process whereby an atom or ion loses electrons and undergoes a subsequent increase in valence; the combination of a substance with oxygen; the act or result of being oxidised. Opposite of reduction.
redox
Abbreviation of reduction-oxygenation. Used in reference to a chemical process whereby one substance or molecule undergoes reduction and another oxidation.
troglomorphic
Used in reference to morphological adaptations to the cave or underground environment such as loss or reduction of pigment or eyes.
valence
Combining capacity of an atom or ion determined by the number of electrons that it will lose, add, or share when it reacts with other atoms; the bond-forming capacity of a given atom or radical; a numeric value designated to represent this capacity.

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