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Ireland’s Environment 2012
156
PM
10
Particulate matter measuring less than 10 μm in diameter.
Point source pollution
Pollution that arises from a well-defined point, typically
the end of a discharge pipe, but may include farmyard
sources.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Long-lived toxic chemicals formerly used in heavy industry.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Complex organic molecules found in soot, tar, vehicle
exhausts and combustion products of fuels.
Radon
A naturally occurring radioactive, colourless, odourless
gas derived from uranium in rocks and in soil.
Raised bog
An area of ombrogenous (i.e. originating as a result
of wet climates) acid peatland with a convex profile.
Reforestation
Replanting of forests on lands that have recently
been harvested.
Renewable resource
A resource that can be exploited without depletion
because it is constantly replenished, e.g. solar radiation
and wind.
River Basin District
A river basin/catchment is an area of land from which all
surface run-off flows through a series of streams, rivers
and possibly lakes into the sea at a single river mouth
or estuary. A River Basin District comprises one or more
neighbouring river basins together with their associated
wetlands, groundwaters and coastal waters.
Secondary pollutant
A pollutant not directly emitted but formed from the
reaction of other pollutants.
Stratosphere
Layer of the atmosphere between approximately
10 km and 50 km above the surface of the earth.
Sulphur dioxide (SO
2
)
A colourless gas produced mainly by oxidation
of the sulphur in fossil fuels through combustion. It is
harmful to human health above specified limits.
Sustainable development
Defined by the Brundtland Commission (1987) as
‘development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of the future
generations to meet their own needs’.
Taxonomic
Referring to ‘taxon’ (plural taxa) or taxonomic unit; a
name designating an organism or a group of organisms.
Transboundary pollution
Pollution emitted in one country and transported
naturally to other countries.
Troposphere
The lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from
the surface of the earth to 12–15 km above the earth.
UV radiation
Ultraviolet radiation, with wavelength between 4
and 380 nm.
Vascular plants
Plants with leaves, roots and stems containing tissues
(vascular tissues) for transporting water and nutrients
throughout the plant.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Organic compounds that evaporate readily and contribute
to air pollution mainly through the production of secondary
pollutants such as ozone.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE) scheme
A scheme introduced to deal with Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment as required by EU Directives.
Water Framework Directive
An EU-wide law introduced in 2000 to bring a common
approach to safeguarding all Community waterbodies
and water-dependent ecosystems.
Wetland
An area covered permanently, occasionally, or
periodically by fresh or salt water (e.g. flooded pasture
land, marshland, inland lakes, rivers and their estuaries);
also includes bogs.