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Glossary
A B
C D E F
G H I J K L M N
O P Q R
S T U V
W X Y Z
A
| Anadromous |
Fish that migrate up rivers from the
sea to breed in fresh water. |
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B
| Bacteria |
Tiny, one-celled organisms. |
| Bar screen |
A mechanical rake that removes large
things during the first step of the wastewater treatment process.
|
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C
| Clitellum
|
The reproductive part of a worm that
produces cocoons (worm eggs are inside cocoons).
|
| Collembola |
Tiny insects that live in compost.
|
| Commencement Bay |
The large body of
water in Tacoma that is part of the Puget Sound. |
| Compost
|
A mixture of rotting fruit, vegetable
and yard waste. Makes great fertilizer.
|
| Condensation |
The process of water vapor turning
into liquid.
|
| Corrosive
|
Capable of destroying or eating away
(such as rust).
|
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D
| Dams
|
Large structures on rivers that
control water flow and can generate electricity (hydroelectric power).
|
| Digestion |
The process of decomposing organic
matter in sewage by bacteria.
The solids at the treatment plant go into large digester tanks where
they are eaten by bacteria. |
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E
|
Evaporation
|
The process where liquid turns into
water vapor (gas).
|
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F
| Fatal |
Can cause death. |
| Fertilizer |
Plant food.
|
| Flammable
|
Can catch on fire. |
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G
| Grit |
Very small pieces of sand or
stone. |
| Grit chamber |
Area during wastewater treatment where the grit
will settle out and be separated from the water |
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H
| Hazardous |
Can harm or hurt you or the
environment.
|
| Herbicide |
Plant killer
|
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L
| Landfill
|
The large site
where our garbage is buried between layers of dirt. Also called the
dump. |
| Life
cycle
|
A life cycle is the natural process
of stages that an organism goes through as it ages. For example, human
stages are birth, infant, toddler, kid, pre-teen, teenager, young adult,
adult and death. |
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M
| Mercury
|
A poisonous metal which can be found
in batteries, computer parts, thermometers, thermostats and fluorescent
light bulbs. Check out Mercury
Matters for more information.
|
| Mites |
A small organism that helps decompose
organic materials in worm bins. |
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N
| Non-toxic |
Something that is safe for you and
the environment.
|
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O
| Overfishing
|
Catching too many fish.
|
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P
| Percolation |
The process of
water moving down through the soil, rocks, sand and gravel.
|
| Pesticide |
Bug killer |
| Pollution
|
The contamination of soil, water, or the air by
harmful substances.
|
| Precipitation
|
Some type of water that falls to the
earth's surface such as rain, snow, sleet or hail.
|
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R
| Recycle |
Making new things
from used materials like paper. |
| Redworms
|
Redworms help compost by eating up food scraps and other
organic matter in worm bins. They eat
organic matter much faster than the standard earthworm - about half their
body weight a day. |
| Redd
|
A “nest” in the
gravel of a river where a salmon lays its eggs.
|
| Reduce |
To decrease the amount being used
(going from filling two garbage cans to only filling one).
|
| Respect |
Treating someone or
something with care, concern and honor.
|
| Responsible |
Being able to choose right over
wrong.
|
| Reuse |
To use something
again (such as a water bottle).
|
| Runoff
|
Water not absorbed by the soil that
may flow down storm drains or land into our lakes, streams, rivers and
bays.
|
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S
| Salmon
|
A type of fish.
Local species include Chinook (also known as a king salmon), Chum (also
known as a dog salmon), Pink (also known as a humpy salmon), Coho (also
known as a silver salmon), and Sockeye (also known as a red salmon).
|
| Saturation
|
The process of becoming full (when
dirt soaks up so much water it can’t hold anymore, it will form a
puddle). |
| Sediment
|
Materials that
settle to the bottom of liquid (dirt and sand will settle to the bottom
of a river).
|
| Sewer
|
Pipes that carry the water from our
sinks, showers, laundry and toilets. This water goes to the wastewater
treatment plant.
|
| Spawn
|
When salmon lay
their eggs.
|
| Storm
Drain
|
The drains in the streets or parking
lots that carry away water from rain or outside water uses (like washing
your car). These underground pipes lead to local streams, rivers, lakes
and bays. |
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T
|
TAGRO
|
Stands for Tacoma
Grow. A natural soil amendment (fertilizer) that is made at the wastewater treatment
plant from our treated sewage.
|
| Toxic |
A chemical that can harm or kill you
(like pesticides).
|
| Transpiration
|
The evaporation of
water from plant leaves. |
| Treatment Plant |
Where wastewater goes to be cleaned. |
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V
|
Vermicompost |
Worm poop! Great
for adding extra nutrients to your soil.
|
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W
| Wastewater
|
Water that
goes down the drains in our houses like sinks, showers and toilets. This
water goes to the wastewater treatment plant. |
| White worms |
Small worms that help decompose
organic material in worm bins. |
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