LAKE

An inland body of water, usually fresh water, formed by glaciers, river drainage, etc. It is usually larger than a pool or pond. The similar size between lakes and ponds makes differentiating the two amongst each other much greater. However, it is generally accepted that lakes are somewhat larger in terms of land mass, and also consists of a greater degree of aquatic organisms that include underwater plants, algal blooms, and bacteria. These substances make up the foundation of the food chain that support the ecosystems in most lakes. The most prevalent kinds of nutrients in lakes are phosphorus and nitrogen.