| Aerobic |
describes a process requiring oxygen to work |
| Alluvium |
deposits brought down by rivers. Initially, alluvium is often a clay,
sand or fertile marl but, in time, can compress into a frequently imperveous rock |
| Anaerobic |
describes a process where oxygen must be excluded |
| Aquifer |
a permeable layer of rock which has water flowing within it, forming a
water table |
| Flash distillation |
a method of purifying water by pumping it at a medium temperature into
a partial vacuum chamber, causing it to "flash" into steam which is then
condensed. It can be done over a number of stages and the heating of the water may be
solar. |
| Hard water |
water rich in calcium or magnesium salts which form a scum with soap |
| Heavy metal |
there is no formal definition, but is generally considered as metals
with an atomic weight of more than about 44 |
| Hydrology |
the study of underground water, its flow and its exploitation |
| Igneous rock |
rock which is formed from some volcanic action, e.g. basalt, pumice,
pillow lava |
| Ion |
an electrically charged particle, dissociated when a salt is dissolved
in water, e.g. when table salt dissolves, it dissociates into positive (cation) sodium
ions and negative (anion) chlorine ions. |
| Ion exchange |
a method of water purification whereby dissociated ions from salts in
water are replaced by hydrogen and hydroxyl ions which combine to form pure water. |
| Metamorphosis |
a process where the structure or chemical nature of a rock changes
with age, pressure or temperature e.g. limestone changing into marble |
| Microorganism |
any living matter of microscopic size, including viruses, bacteria,
amoebae etc. Although many microorganisms in water are dangerous to human health when
drunk, even fatal, there are many others which are not. |
| Osmosis |
the passage of water from a purer quality to a saltier quality through
a semi-permeable membrane, such as organic tissue. |
| Phreatic |
describes water within an aquifer, which may be pumped to the surface
by a borehole |
| Phytoplankton |
the smallest vegetable microorganisms which form the lowest member of
an aquatic food chain. |
| Potable |
describes water which is both palatable and safe to drink |
| Reverse osmosis |
a method of water purification whereby water containing impurities
(such as salt) is forced through a semi-permeable membrane by high pressure: requires much
energy. |
| Sedimentary rock |
rock which is formed by the compression of deposited silt, sand,
organic matter or shells, e.g. chalk, limestone, sandstone |
| Soft water |
water low in calcium and magnesium hydroxides and carbonates but which
may contain other salts |
| Vadose |
describes underground water flowing through fissures in impermeable
rock |
| Water softening |
a method whereby calcium and magnesium ions, dissolved in hard water,
are replaced by sodium ions. This is not a purification but a change in chemical
composition to prevent scum formation in the presence of soap. |
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