Our glossary explains technical terms from the area water research. We hope it facilitates the understanding of this publication. If you have comments or suggestions, please use our
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Salination
Process whereby the salt load of a water body is increased, e.g. by salts not removable during wastewater purification or through the introduction or recirculation of salts from a seawater desalination system into a body of water.
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Salt (water) intrusion
Entry of salt or brackish water into the groundwater through the movement of fresh/salt water boundaries.
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Sediment
Deposits in water bodies created through settling (sedimentation) of mineral and/or organic solids. We distinguish between clastic (suspended matter, sand, rock), chemical (substances separated from aqeuous solutions, e.g. carbonate) and biogenic sediments (deposited organisms or their remains, e.g. coquina).
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Seismology
Study of the earth’s crust through the use of artificially generated seismic waves.
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Semi-industrial scale
Test or pilot systems are usually assessed on a smaller semi-industrial scale – i.e. with practical relevance – before a full-size system is built.
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Sewage ponds
Small ponds in which wastewater is cleaned biologically by means of plants.
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Sewage sludge
In sewage plants, water flows into the primary sedimentation tank via the sand and grease trap. In this first treatment chamber, undissolved substances are deposited in the form of sewage sludge (mechanic purification).
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Sewage Sludge Ordinance (AbfKlärV)
Regulates the application of sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants to agricultural, forested or horticultural land.
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Slow filter
Slow filters are based on the principles of natural soil filtration and are characterised by their low flow velocity. The high surface area requirements are a disadvantage of this method. However, slow filters are beneficial wherever surface water is to be used.
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Sorption
Process whereby a solid or liquid substance takes up or holds another gaseous or dissolved substance. The term sorption refers to processes resulting in the enrichment of a substance within a phase (absorption) or on an interfacial surface between two phases (adsorption). The term is used when absorption and adsorption cannot be clearly distinguished. The sorbing substance is also referred to as the sorbent (or sorbent material).
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Spectroscopy
The measurement of a spectrum from a radiation source.
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Spin-off company
When part of a company or institution is set up as a separate business, this is described as a spinoff.
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Stratigraphy
Geoscience discipline involving the study and dating of rock strata.
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Stripping
Removal of water-based substances through the injection of air/gas. The dissolved substances are transferred to the gaseous phase and consequently removed from the water.
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Struvite (also known as magnesium ammonium phosphate)
A sparingly soluble compound of ammonium and magnesium named after the scientist Heinrich Christoph Gottfried von Struve (1772–1851).
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Submerged fixed beds
In fixed bed reactors, which are frequently used in biotechnology, the elements responsible for the substance conversion (microorganisms, enzymes) are bound to fixed carrier materials (fixed bed). A liquid stream directs the other components involved in the process (e.g. substrates, gases) past the fixed bed, which can be made of ceramic, glass, plastic or natural material. In the case of a submerged fixed bed, the carrier material of the fixed bed is fully immersed in the untreated wastewater. Oxygen is supplied by means of pressure aeration (which is also used for flushing purposes).
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Surface tension
An interfacial surface is the contact zone between two phases, e.g. between water and air or between oil and water. Surface tension causes the surface of a liquid to behave like an elastic film.
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Suspension
The term suspension is used to describe a liquid containing finely distributed solid particles which are held in a suspended state – e.g. through agitation or stirring.