Integrierte Vermeidung und Verminderung der Umweltverschmutzung

GLOSSARY
HINWEIS: Die deutschsprachige Version des Glossars steht ab Seite 643.
NOTE: The German version of this glossary begins on page 643.
Glossary
This glossary is solely intended to assist the reader’s understanding of this document. The
meanings given may not necessarily reflect legal or dictionary definitions.
Glossary of terms
Activated sludge
process
A biological waste water treatment by which bacteria that feed on
organic wastes are continuously circulated and put in contact with
organic waste in the presence of oxygen to increase the rate of
decomposition
Aeration A biological process by which air is introduced to increase the oxygen
concentration in liquids. Aeration may be performed by bubbling air
through the liquid, spraying the liquid into the air or agitating the liquid
to increase surface absorption. Blowing fresh and dry air through
stored crops such as cereal grains, in order to decrease its temperature
and/or humidity
Agronomic interests relating to the science of soil management and crop production
Anaerobic A biological process which occurs in the absence of oxygen
A/O process The proprietary A/O process for mainstream phosphorus removal is
used for combined carbon oxidation and phosphorus removal from
waste water. This process is a single-sludge suspended growth system
that combines anaerobic and aerobic sections in sequence
Aquifer A water-bearing layer of rock (including gravel and sand) that will
Asbestos
yield water in usable quantity to a well or spring
A mineral fibre that can pollute air or water and cause cancer or
asbestosis when inhaled
Aseptic Sterile or free of bacterial contamination
Aseptic processing
and packaging
Commonly used to describe food processing and packaging techniques
for non-refrigerated storage or long-life products, in which packages
and food products are sterilised in separate continous systems. The
sterile package is then filled with sterile product, closed and sealed
under aseptic conditions
Assimilative The ability of a natural body of water to receive waste waters or toxic
capacity
materials without harmful effects and without damage to aquatic life
Bactericide A substance used to control or destroy bacteria
Baffle Plate which hinders or regulates the flow of fluid
Bank-filtered water River water abstracted from outside the river bank
Biochemicals Chemicals that are either naturally occurring or identical to naturally
occurring substances. Examples include hormones, pheromones and
enzymes. Biochemicals function as pesticides through non-toxic, nonlethal
modes of action, such as disrupting the mating pattern of insects,
regulating growth or acting as repellants
Biocoenoses Association of different organisms forming a closely integrated
community. The relationship between such organisms
Biodegradable That can be broken down physically and/or chemically by microorganisms.
For example, many chemicals, food scraps, cotton, wool
and paper are biodegradable
Biodiversity The number and variety of different organisms in the ecological
complexes in which they naturally occur. Organisms are organised at
many levels, ranging from complete ecosystems to the biochemical
structures that are the molecular basis of heredity. Thus, the term
encompasses different ecosystems, species and genes that must be
633 January 2006 RHC/EIPPCB/FDM_BREF_FINAL