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Ireland’s Environment 2012
152
Acidification
Continuing loss of capacity to neutralise acid inputs
indicated by declining alkalinity and increasing hydrogen
ion concentration (i.e. the decrease in pH of water or soil
resulting from increases in acidic anion inputs such as
sulphate).
Afforestation
Establishment of a new forest by planting of non-forested
land.
Agri-Environmental Options Scheme (AEOS)
A scheme launched in 2010 and aiming to build on the
Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) in order to
promote biodiversity, improve water quality and combat
climate change.
Ammonia (NH
3
)
A simple compound of nitrogen primarily originating
in waste discharges. It can be toxic to fish under certain
circumstances and is a source of nitrogen for plants
and algae.
Anthropogenic
Produced as a result of human activities.
Appropriate assessment
The study of the potential or negative effects of a plan
or project, in combination with other plans or projects,
on a Natura 2000 site.
Assessment threshold
Level defined by legislation that is used to classify air
quality for the purpose of determining the monitoring
needed.
Attenuation
The reduction in magnitude/intensity/concentration of
a substance dispersed in a gaseous or liquid medium.
Benzene
Carcinogenic volatile organic compound which is a
component of unleaded petrol.
Bioaccumulative substance
A substance that builds up in tissue of living organisms
as a result of direct exposure to polluted water, air or soil,
or through consumption of contaminated food.
Bioaerosols
An airborne biological particle consisting of a range
of micro-organisms and organic constituents.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
A measure of the potential oxygen consumption of
decaying organic matter in water. It is a widely used
measure of organic pollution in rivers and in effluents
discharged to water.
Biodegradable municipal waste
Biodegradable municipal waste is municipal waste
(see definition below) that can undergo biological
decomposition. It is typically composed of food and
garden waste, wood, paper, cardboard and textiles.
Biodiversity
Word commonly used for biological diversity and defined
as assemblage of living organisms from all habitats
including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems
and the ecological complexes of which they are part.
Biomass
Renewable organic materials, such as wood, agricultural
crops of organic wastes used as a source of fuel or
energy. Biomass can be solid, liquid or gaseous.
Biota
The flora and fauna of an area.
Glossary