A colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous hydrocarbon, present in natural gas and formed by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter or produced artificially by heating carbon monoxide and hydrogen over a nickel catalyst. A reaction sequence that produces methane during the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste. Fermentation resulting in conversion of organic matter into methane gas. A pathological condition caused by chemical interference with the oxygen transfer mechanism of the blood. It may be caused in infants by drinking water high in nitrates.
Examples are algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses.
A measure of concentration in dilute solutions, equivalent to and replacing ppm. A mixture of raw or settled wastewater and activated sludge contained in an aeration tank in the activated sludge process. The concentration of suspended solids in activated sludge mixed liquor, expressed in milligrams per liter. Commonly used in connection with activated sludge aeration units. A limited area or volume of water where initial dilution of a discharge takes place and where numeric water quality criteria can be exceeded but acutely toxic conditions are prevented from occurring.