Ap Environmental Science

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Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

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The amount of oxygen required for biochemical decomposition process

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Fecal coliform bacteria

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bacteria that occur naturally in human intestines and are used as a standard measure of microbial pollution and an indicator of disease potential for a water source

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Eutrophication

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The process by which a body of water develops a high concentration of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus (natural)

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Runoff

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The draining away of water (or substances carried in it) from the surface of an area of land, a building, or structure

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Wastewater treatment

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Process of treating wastewater (primarily sewage) in specially designed plants that accept municipal wastewater. Generally divided into three categories: primary treatment, secondary treatment, and advanced wastewater treatment

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Primary treatment

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Removal of large particles and organic materials through screening

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Secondary treatment

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Use of biological processes to degrade wastewater in a treatment facility

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Advanced wastewater treatment

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Treatment of wastewater beyond primary and secondary procedures. May include sand filters, carbon filters, or application of chemicals to assist in removing potential pollutants such as from the wastewater stream

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Aquifer

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Underground zone or body of earth material from which groundwater can be obtained from a well at a useful rate

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Water pollution

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Addition of harmful chemicals or substances to natural water

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Leachate

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Noxious, mineralized liquid capable of transporting bacterial pollutants. Produced when water infiltrates through waste material and becomes contaminated and polluted

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Point source pollution

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Sources of pollution such as smokestacks, pipes, or accidental spills that are readily identified and stationary. They are often thought to be easier to recognize and control than are area sources. This is only true in a general sense, as some very large point sources emit tremendous amounts of pollutants into the environment

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Tertiary treatment

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Advanced form of wastewater treatment involving chemical treatment or advanced filtration

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pH

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Measure of acidity or alkalinity in water or solutions

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Hypoxia

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deficiency of oxygen reaching the body

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Dead zone

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area in a body of water where no life exists

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Environmental law

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A field of law concerning the conservation and use of natural resources and control of pollution

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Nonpoint source pollution

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Pollution sources that are diffused and intermittent and are influenced by factors such as land use, climate, hydrology, native vegetation, and geology

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Effluent Discharge

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Any materials that flow outward from something

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Dissolved oxygen

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Refers to the level of free, noncompound oxygen present in water or other liquids

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Methane Gas

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An odorless, colorless, flammable gas, CH4, the major constituent of natural gas, that is used as a fuel and is an important source of hydrogen and a wide variety of organic compounds

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Contaminants

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Undesirable material that makes something unfit for use

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Watershed

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An area of land that forms the drainage of a stream or river

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Water renovation and conservation

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The practice of applying wastewater to the land. In some systems, treated wastewater is applied to agricultural crops, and as the water infiltrates through the soil layer, it is naturally purified. Reuse of the water is by pumping it out of the ground for municipal and agricultural uses

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Chlorination

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Disinfection of wataer by the addition of small amounts of chlorine or a chlorine compound

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Activated sludge

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Aerated sewage containing aerobic microorganisms that help break it down