limnology

[prettygoodword]

limnology (lim-NOL-oh-jee) - n., the study of inland bodies of water.


Especially freshwater lakes and ponds, but also springs, marshes, streams, and rivers, with special attention to their biological, chemical, physical, and geological conditions. Sometimes called freshwater science. Coined around 1890 (give or take three years) by François-Alphonse Forel, who was studying Lake Geneva at the time, from Greek roots límnē, pool, marsh + -ology, study of.

---L.

Comments

[janni.livejournal.com]

The idea that bodies of water are inherently limnal is pretty evocative.

[larryhammer]

Though of course a threshold is liminal, rather than limnal.

---L.

[janni.livejournal.com]

Oh, right.

But even so.