The following is a list and explanation of terms used in this project and website.
Ammonia
Ammonia occurs naturally and is produced by human activity. It is an important source
of nitrogen which is needed by plants and animals. Ammonia is a colorless gas with
a very distinct odor. This odor is familiar to many people because ammonia is used
in smelling salts, many household and industrial cleaners, and window-cleaning products.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
The amount of oxygen organisms require to decompose organic matter (under standard
aerobic conditions). Generally measured in mg/l (milligrams per liter)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
A standard test that measures the amount of the organic matter in wastewater that
can be oxidized (burned up) by a very strong chemical oxidant
Coliform bacteria
Rod-shaped bacteria living in the intestines of humans and other warm blooded animals
Dissolved Oxygen
The concentration of oxygen (normally a gas) dissolved in water. This concentration
is a function of temperature and pressure. (For example, the colder the water, the
more oxygen it will hold)
Eutrophication
Eutrophication is a process whereby water bodies, such as lakes, estuaries, or slow-moving
streams receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth (algae, periphyton
attached algae, and nuisance plants)
Fecal Coliform
A sub-group of coliform bacteria, found in the intestinal wastes of humans and animals.
If detected in water, this is an indication that the water has been contaminated
by sewage or is improperly treated wastewater and therefore may contain disease-causing
organisms
Fecal Streptococcus
As with fecal coliform bacteria, this group of bacteria indicate human or animal
waste. In some situations, these bacteria survive better than fecal coliform bacteria
and therefore are especially useful as an indicator of contamination (e.g. by sewage
or improperly treated wastewater)
Nitrate
A stable, oxidized form of nitrogen having the formula NO3-
Nitrite
An unstable, easily oxidized form of nitrogen with the chemical formula NO2-
Nutrient
Any substance that is assimilated by organisms to promote or facilitate their growth
Total Coliform
Total coliform bacteria is a group of bacteria that includes fecal coliform bacteria
and other nonfecal bacteria that are very common in the natural world (wood, soil,
etc.). Testing for these is standard procedure for drinking water.
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen - (TKN)
The sum of the organic plus ammonia nitrogen in a water sample which is determined
by digesting and distilling the sample, then measuring the ammonia concentration
in the distillate
Total Nitrogen
Total nitrogen is a measure of all the various forms of nitrogen that are found
in a water sample.
Total Phosphorus
Total phosphorus is a measure of all the various forms of phosphorus that are found
in a water sample.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Measure of the small particles of solid material (pollutants) suspended or dispersed
in wastewater. Used as one index of water quality/pollution level and hence treatment
system performance, often in conjunction with Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). Usually
measured in mg/l