Glossary Z
Deutsch: Zink / Español: Zinc / Português: Zinco / Français: Zinc / Italiano: Zinco
Zinc in the environmental context refers to a metallic element (symbol Zn) that plays a crucial role in both natural processes and human activities. While zinc is essential for life, in certain concentrations, it can become a pollutant, impacting ecosystems and human health.
Deutsch: Zoonose / Español: Enfermedad zoonótica / Português: Doença zoonótica / Français: Maladie zoonotique / Italiano: Malattia zoonotica
Zoonotic disease refers to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. These diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that are carried by animals and insects.
Deutsch: Zooplankton / Español: Zooplancton / Português: Zooplâncton / Français: Zooplancton / Italiano: Zooplancton
Zooplankton in the environment context refers to a diverse group of drifting or weakly swimming animals that inhabit aquatic ecosystems, including oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers. Unlike phytoplankton, which are photosynthetic, zooplankton primarily consist of small animals and the larval stages of larger animals such as fish, crabs, and jellyfish. They play a crucial role in aquatic food webs, serving as a primary food source for various marine and freshwater species, including fish and whales, and contributing significantly to the biological carbon pump by transporting carbon from the surface to the deeper ocean layers.