General Glossary

A chemical substance used to kill
or control pests, such as weeds,
insects, fungus, mites, algae,
rodents and other undesirable
agents.

A measure of acidity, with 7 being
neutral. Numbers under 7 are
acidic and numbers over 7 are
alkaline.

An essential nutrient containing
phosphorus and oxygen. Phosphate
is often a critical nutrient in
lake eutrophication management.

The process by which green plants
produce oxygen from sunlight,
water and carbon dioxide.

Algae -- the base of the lake's
food chain, it also produces
oxygen

The path and form taken by
contaminated ground water as it
moves from the source.

Pollution arising from a well-
defined origin, such as a
discharge from an industrial
plant.

A substance that pollutes air,
water or land.

The contamination of soil, water
or air by the discharge of
potentially harmful substances.

Equipment designed to reduce
pollution and the resulting
adverse environmental and health
effects from waste combustion or
disposal, or private or industrial
emissions. Filters are often used
to control emissions of particles,
and scrubbers can control
emissions of acidic gases, such as
sulfur dioxide and hydrogen
chloride.