Definitions

Question 1

What is reverse osmosis?

Answer 1

Reverse osmosis is a water purification method that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved salts, bacteria, and viruses. Water is forced through the membrane under pressure, leaving contaminants behind and producing clean drinking water.

Question 2

What is ceramic filtration?

Answer 2

Ceramic filtration involves passing water through a porous ceramic material that physically blocks bacteria and sediments. The small pores trap harmful organisms, making the water safer to drink.

Question 3

What is sludge stabilization?

Answer 3

Sludge stabilization is the treatment of wastewater sludge to reduce odours, pathogens, and decay. Methods include digestion or adding chemicals like lime, making sludge safer to handle.

Question 4

COD

Answer 4

Measures the amount of oxygen needed to chemically breakdown in organic matter in water. High cod levels suggest a large amount of pollutants that can reduce oxygen levels.

Question 5

Turbidity

Answer 5

The cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles such as silt, algae and microorganisms. High turbidity can reduce water quality by interfering with disinfection and harming aquatic life

Question 6

Nutrients

Answer 6

Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for plant growth but can cause problems when present in excess. High nutrient levels, often from wastewater can lead to overgrowth of algae that depletes oxygen and damages water quality.

Question 7

Evaporation

Answer 7

Process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapour, usually due to heat from the sun. Plays a key role in the water cycle by transferring water from land and water surfaces into the atmosphere.

Question 8

Infiltration

Answer 8

Process of which water on the ground surface enters to soil. Helps recharge groundwater and reduce surface runoff. Factors that affect infiltration include soil type, land use, soil moisture content and intensity of rainfall.

Question 9

Deforestation

Answer 9

Reduces amount of vegetation available to intercept rainfall, leading to increased surface runoff and reduce infiltration. Reduces transpiration which can alter local and regional rainfall patterns.

Question 10

Agriculture

Answer 10

Affects hydrological cycle through irrigation, which alters natural water distribution and through soil compaction from machinery which reduces infiltration and increases runoff. Use of fertilisers can also lead to nutrient pollution in water bodies etc

Question 11

Conservation substance

Answer 11

Material that does not undergo chemical, biological or physical changes as it moves through the environment. In water systems this means it is not broken down absorbed and its concentration changes only due to dilution.

Question 12

BOD

Answer 12

Amount of oxygen used by microorganisms to break down organic matter in water over a specific time period usually 5 days. Indicates level of biodegradable organic pollution in water.

Question 13

Population equivalent

Answer 13

A unit used in Easter water treatment to represent the pollution load produced by one person per day. It helps in designing and comparing treatment systems by standardizing both domestic and industrial wastewater loads

Question 14

Nitrates

Answer 14

From fertilizers and septic tanks posing health risks especially for infants

Question 15

Bacteria and viruses

Answer 15

Pathogens like ecoli can cause waterborne diseases

Question 16

Heavy metals

Answer 16

Contaminants such as lead and arsenic from industrial waste or natural sources

Question 17

Pesticides

Answer 17

Agricultural chemicals that can contaminate ground water and harm health

Question 18

Activated carbon filters

Answer 18

Remove chlorine, odors and some contaminants improving taste

Question 19

Reverse osmosis

Answer 19

Uses a membrane to remove salts, bacteria and other impurities

Question 20

Ceramic filters

Answer 20

Use porous ceramic to block bacteria and particles , improving water safety

Question 21

Biological stabilisation

Answer 21

Uses microorganisms in aerobic or anaerobic digestion to break down organic matter, reducing volume and pathogens

Question 22

Chemical stabilisation

Answer 22

Involves adding chemicals like lime or chlorine to increase pH kill pathogens and reduce odors quickly

Question 23

Thermal stabilisation

Answer 23

Uses heat to reduce moisture, volume and organic material while killing pathogens

Question 24

Runoff

Answer 24

Water flowing over land into water bodies when rainfall exceeds soil absorption. Affected by land use, soil type and topography

Question 25

Conductivity

Answer 25

Measures the ability of water to carry electricity based on dissolved salts. High conductivity can indicate pollution from wastewater or farm runoff

Question 26

alkalinity

Answer 26

Helps buffer pH changes- low alkalinity makes water more sensitive to acid inputs

Question 27

BAF

Answer 27

A compact system where wastewater flows through a tank filled with media. Air is pumped in to support bacteria that break down waste. Combines filtration and biological treatment

Question 28

SBR

Answer 28

A tank that treats wastewater in batches through stages; fill, aerate, settle, decant and idle. Uses aerobic bacteria and is good for small or variable flows

Question 29

WFD

Answer 29

Eu law aimed at protecting and improving all water bodies eg rivers lakes and groundwater. Requires countries to achieve good water status through sustainable catchment based management. River basin management plans- guide efforts to reduce pollution from agriculture, wastewater and industry.