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Definition
| An environmental problem related to the discharge of acidic waters resulting from the weathering of sulfide minerals, such as iron pyrite, associated with coal and sulfide mineralization of important metals, such as copper, silver, and zinc. |
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Term
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Definition
| with respect to wastewater treatment includes a variety of processes, such as use of chemicals, sand filters, or carbon filters to further purify and remove contaminants from wastewater. |
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| Biochemical Oxygen Demand |
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Definition
| A measure of the amount of oxygen necessary to decompose organic materials in a unit volume of water. As the amount of organic waste in the water increases, more oxygen is used, resulting in a higher BOD. |
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Definition
| Rapid increase in the abundance of plant life, particularly algae, in freshwater or marine environments resulting from input of nutrients from human sources to the water. |
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Definition
| A type of bacteria commonly found in the gut of humans and other animals; usually harmless, but can cause diseases; commonly used as a measure of biological pollution. |
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Definition
| Degradation of water quality as measured by biological, chemical, or physical criteria. |
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Definition
| Diffused and intermittent sources of air or water pollutants. |
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Definition
| usually discrete and confined sources of air or water pollutants such as pipes that enter into a stream or river or stacks emitting waste from factories or other facilities into the atmosphere. |
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Definition
| Any substance in the environment that is known to be harmful to people or other desirable living organisms |
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Definition
| Any substance, biological or chemical of which an identified excess is known to be detrimental to desirable living organisms. |
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Definition
| with respect to a wastewater treatment plant, includes screening and removal of grit and sedimentation of larger particles from the waste system. |
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Definition
| Water that has been treated by wastewater handling facilities and may be used for other purposed on discharge, such as irrigation of golf courses or croplands. |
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Term
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Definition
| with respect to wastewater treatment, includes aerobic and anaerobic digestion of waste in the wastewater stream; primarily by bacterial breakdown; final stage is disinfection of treated water, usually with chlorine. |
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Term
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Definition
| Tank that receives and temporarily holds solid and liquid waste. Anaerobic bacterial activity breaks down the waste, solid wastes are separated out, and liquid waste from the tank overflows into a drainage system. |
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Term
| Wastewater Renovation and Conservation Cycle |
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Definition
| A process of recycling liquid waste that includes return of treated wastewater to crops or irrigation and continued renovation through recharge of groundwater; the reused part involves pumping out of the groundwater for municipal, industrial, or other purposes. |
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