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Acid rain
The result of water reacting with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
in the atmosphere and returning to the Earth as rain, fog or snow.
Activator
A material containing bacteria which is used to start the composting
process, eg dirt, manure or compost.
Aerobic
A process which occurs in, and needs, oxygen.
Aerobic bacteria
Bacteria which need oxygen to live.
Agriculture
The production of food and fiber for human use.
Algae
Simple non-flowering plants that usually live in water, such as seaweeds.
Alumina
A white solid found in rocks and clay, which is mined to produce aluminum.
Also called aluminum oxide.
Aluminum
A light silvery-grey metal, which is commonly used for packaging.
Amphibian
A cold-blooded animal that can live both on land and in water - eg
frog, salamander.
Anaerobic
A process which occurs without oxygen.
Anaerobic bacteria
Bacteria which live in places without oxygen.
Antibiotics
Medicines that kill or stop the growth of micro-organisms.
Aquaculture
The farming of water animals or plants for food.
Aquifer
A layer of porous rock or sand underground, through which water can
travel.
Atmosphere
The layers of gas surrounding the Earth’s surface.
Bacteria
Tiny organisms which can turn plant and animal material into energy.
Bauxite
A clayey rock that is mined and used as a raw material to produce aluminum.
Biobased
A renewable product, made from plant or animal material, that breaks
down easily in the environment.
Biodegradable
A substance or material which can be broken down by micro-organisms
and other decomposers, such as fungi.
Biodiversity
A term used to describe the great variety of living organisms.
Biomass energy
Energy produced using organic matter.
Biomass fuel
Plant or animal matter which is used to produce electricity, by capturing
and burning gases produced when the materials break down.
Bioreactor landfill
A landfill in which the biological reactions that occur when organic
matter is broken down are used to produce energy.
Biosolids
The solid waste leaving wastewater treatment systems.
Blackwater
Wastewater from toilets.
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