tree litter, roots, and animals and animal waste. (b) It is a mass or clump of organic
material consisting of living organisms feeding on the wastes in wastewater, dead
organisms, and other debris.
Biosolids (a) It is general term for any organic solids containing carbon, such as
activated sludge, septic tank sludge, manure, etc. (b) It is a primarily organic solid
product, produced by wastewater treatment processes or agricultural installations,
that can be beneficially recycled. The word biosolids is replacing the word
biological sludge, or organic sludge.
Biosphere The part of the Earth system comprising all ecosystems and living
organisms, in the atmosphere, on land (terrestrial biosphere) or in the oceans
(marine biosphere), including derived dead organic matter, such as litter, soil
organic matter, and oceanic detritus.
Biotower It is one type of trickling filters. A biotower is an attached growth
biological process that is used to remove organic matter found in wastewater.
Black carbon aerosol Black carbon (BC) is the most strongly light-absorbing
component of particulate matter (PM), and is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It is emitted directly into the atmosphere in the form of fine particles (PM2.5).
Blank sample A clean sample or a sample of matrix processed so as to measure
artifacts in the measurement (sampling and analysis) process.
Blank It is a sample bottle containing only dilution water or distilled water, but the
sample being tested is not added. Tests are frequently run on a sample and a
blank, and the differences are compared.
Blow-down Some of the water collected in the basin is exited from the tower rather
than recirculated within the tower. This prevents buildup of solids in the water.
Blowoff It is turbulence in aeration tanks caused by damaged diffusers.
Boat plant A complete small water or wastewater treatment plant installed on a
boat, which can navigate in a lake or river for necessary water or wastewater
treatment.
BOD Biochemical oxygen demand. The rate at which organisms use the oxygen in
water or wastewater while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic
conditions. In decomposition, organic matter serves as food for the bacteria and
energy results from its oxidation. BOD measurements are used as a measure of
the organic strength of wastes in water.
Booster pump It is a supplemental dredge type pump used in a dredging operation
to increase the distance the slurry can be pumped. A booster is often required
when a deposit area is greater than 3500 ft. (about 1 km) from the dredge.
Borehole Any exploratory hole drilled into the Earth or ice to gather geophysical
data. Climate researchers often take ice core samples, a type of borehole, to
predict atmospheric composition in earlier years.
Breeding It is a business or hobby in the context of managing domesticated
animals, to cause an animal to produce offspring in a controlled and organized
manner.
12 Glossary of Natural Resources and Environmental Pollution Control
431
material consisting of living organisms feeding on the wastes in wastewater, dead
organisms, and other debris.
Biosolids (a) It is general term for any organic solids containing carbon, such as
activated sludge, septic tank sludge, manure, etc. (b) It is a primarily organic solid
product, produced by wastewater treatment processes or agricultural installations,
that can be beneficially recycled. The word biosolids is replacing the word
biological sludge, or organic sludge.
Biosphere The part of the Earth system comprising all ecosystems and living
organisms, in the atmosphere, on land (terrestrial biosphere) or in the oceans
(marine biosphere), including derived dead organic matter, such as litter, soil
organic matter, and oceanic detritus.
Biotower It is one type of trickling filters. A biotower is an attached growth
biological process that is used to remove organic matter found in wastewater.
Black carbon aerosol Black carbon (BC) is the most strongly light-absorbing
component of particulate matter (PM), and is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It is emitted directly into the atmosphere in the form of fine particles (PM2.5).
Blank sample A clean sample or a sample of matrix processed so as to measure
artifacts in the measurement (sampling and analysis) process.
Blank It is a sample bottle containing only dilution water or distilled water, but the
sample being tested is not added. Tests are frequently run on a sample and a
blank, and the differences are compared.
Blow-down Some of the water collected in the basin is exited from the tower rather
than recirculated within the tower. This prevents buildup of solids in the water.
Blowoff It is turbulence in aeration tanks caused by damaged diffusers.
Boat plant A complete small water or wastewater treatment plant installed on a
boat, which can navigate in a lake or river for necessary water or wastewater
treatment.
BOD Biochemical oxygen demand. The rate at which organisms use the oxygen in
water or wastewater while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic
conditions. In decomposition, organic matter serves as food for the bacteria and
energy results from its oxidation. BOD measurements are used as a measure of
the organic strength of wastes in water.
Booster pump It is a supplemental dredge type pump used in a dredging operation
to increase the distance the slurry can be pumped. A booster is often required
when a deposit area is greater than 3500 ft. (about 1 km) from the dredge.
Borehole Any exploratory hole drilled into the Earth or ice to gather geophysical
data. Climate researchers often take ice core samples, a type of borehole, to
predict atmospheric composition in earlier years.
Breeding It is a business or hobby in the context of managing domesticated
animals, to cause an animal to produce offspring in a controlled and organized
manner.
12 Glossary of Natural Resources and Environmental Pollution Control
431