Fuel oils

Oils obtained as residues of petroleum distillation; they are used alone or mixed with others for heating and domestic uses.

Water acidity

Quantitative ability of water to react with a strong base up to a designated pH.

Composting triggers

Nitrogen-rich materials that cause an acceleration in the composting process.

Carcinogenic agent

Substance capable of producing an alteration in cellular DNA, which can trigger the process of carcinogenesis in a cell and cause cancer.

Mutagenic agent

Mutagenic agents are chemical compounds that produce mutations in the offspring of living organisms. A mutation is a change in the structure of the genetic material of an organism, and although there are advantageous mutations, most are harmful or neutral.

Harmful agents

Substances that released into the environment in inappropriate concentrations pose a danger to the biocenosis and the biotope.

Contaminated water

It is the incorporation into the water of foreign matters, such as microorganisms, chemical products, industrial and other waste, or wastewater. These materials deteriorate the quality of the water and render it useless for its intended uses.

Drinking water

Intended for human consumption. It must be clear and colorless at a temperature between 8 and 11 ° C and must not contain infectious germs of any type of substance that is harmful to health. Directive 75/440 refers to the quality required for surface water intended for the production of drinking water in the Member States. Directive 80/778 sets the conditions at the tap so that the water is fit for human consumption.

Residual water

Water from the sewer network that has been used in homes, industries, businesses or farms and that contains dissolved or suspended materials. Its degree of impurity can be very varied. They contain dissolved or suspended colloidal matters and solid matters, of which about 50% are organic and therefore in the process of putrefaction. The amount of wastewater in large cities ranges between 100 and 400 liters per inhabitant / day.

Water, treatment plant (sewage)

Installation that contains a series of tanks, screens, filters and other elements that cause the elimination of contaminants from the water.

Waste storage

Post-accumulation phase where the waste is kept properly packed and packed for subsequent treatment or final disposal.

Environmental analysis

Process that helps to know the environmental consequences of the project in its early stages, in order to take measures that eliminate, minimize or compensate for adverse impacts.

Waste analysis or Substance analysis

Waste analysis provides guidance regarding the identification of hazardous characteristics of waste generated in a particular industry.

Use of resources

Processes aimed at recovering or transforming the resources contained in the waste.

Hydroelectric exploitation

Use of the potential energy of the water to generate electrical energy by means of the implantation of a hydroelectric power station.

Environmental aspect

Elements, activities, products or services of an organization that can interact with the environment. A significant environmental aspect is one that has or may have an impact on the environment.

Atmosphere

Gaseous layer approximately 10,000 km thick that surrounds the lithosphere and hydrosphere. It is composed of gases and solid and liquid particles in suspension attracted by Earth's gravity.

Environmental audit

Systematic and objective analysis of the state of compliance with environmental regulations in an industry, and of the risks and economic liabilities that arise against the State, third parties and its own employees. It includes the Audit of Waste and Emissions.

Waste and emissions audit aimed at minimization

Analysis of an industrial facility that aims to identify all the waste streams and emissions that are generated (solid, liquid and gaseous), the sources and causes of their generation and the cost of their management.

Environmental authority

Body, institution or person with executive power in environmental matters.

Self-regulation

Ecosystems capacity to recover or compensate their own characteristics and properties against an external impact or disturbance that produces structural and dynamic modifications.