Table Of Content

इंटरनेट मानक Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public. “जान1 का अ+धकार, जी1 का अ+धकार” “प0रा1 को छोड न’ 5 तरफ” Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Jawaharlal Nehru “The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New” IS 15832 (2008): Glossary of technical terms related to environmental impact [WRD 24: Environmental Assessment and Management of Water Resources Projects] “!ान $ एक न’ भारत का +नम-ण” Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda ““IInnvveenntt aa NNeeww IInnddiiaa UUssiinngg KKnnoowwlleeddggee”” “!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता हहहहै””ै” Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam “Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen” IS 15832 : 2008 Indian Standard GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT res 13.020.30 OBIS 2008 BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS MANAK BHAVAN, 9 B AHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG NEWDELHI 110002 October2008 Price Group9 Environmental Assessment and Management of Water Resources Projects Sectional Cornmiuee. WRD 24 FOREWORD This Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards. after the draft finalized by the Environmental Assessment and Management of Water Resources Projects Sectional Committee had been approved by the Water Resources Division Council. A large number of Indian Standards have already been brought out defining technical terms used in water resources projects to avoid ambiguity in their interpretation. Environmental impact and its assessment. has assumed major importance inthe planning.design and operationof water resource projects.Forclarity and unambiguity inthisarea. itisessential thattheterms usedare standardized sothatsubjectiveandqualitative communications are clearly understood. To achieve this goal. this standard gives definitions of terms commonly used in the area of environmental impact. There could be some other terms which are not mentioned here. Assuch the standard should be used for the purposeof providing general guidance and for broad knowledge of the terms.Some of the terms defined here may also have been defined in other Indian Standards. in such cases the definition given inthis standard should beconstrued as the one appropriate to the field of environmental impact. Thecomposition of the Committee responsible for the formulation of this standard is given in Annex A. IS 15832 : 2008 Indian Standard GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT I SCOPE Adaptation - Adjustment to environrnental conditions. This standardcovers thedefinitionsof terms relating Adobe- Soil, usually of high clay content. that to environmental impact in water resources projects. cracks into roughly cubic blocks when dried. 2 TERMINOLOGY Adsorption - Adhesion of molecules 10 solid surfaces. A Aedes- Agenusofmosquitoes including some 600 Abatement- Areduction inthedegreeor intensity. species many of which are vectors of disease. Abioseston- The non-living components of the Aerate- To impregnate with gas, usually air. seston. Aeration- The process ofadding oxygen 10water Abiotic- Absenceoflife. by physical or biological means to aid in Aboriginal-The originalor 'native' inhabitantsof purification. an area. Aerobe- Anorganism which requires tne presence Abrasion- The wearing away ofsurfaces by some offree oxygen for respiration. mechanical action. Aerobic Bacteria - Bacteria that require free Absorption - The taking in of fluids or other oxygen and are used in certain types of wastewater substance by cells or tissues. treatment processes. Abstraction - The removal of water from any Aerobic (Oxyblotic)- Living only in the presence ground water source. either permanently or of free oxygen. temporarily. Aerosol- Particulate matter in the form of dusts, Abundance- The relative representation in a fumes or mist that can remain suspended in the air particular ecosystem. for long periods of time; usually under one micron in diameter. Acclimatization- The adjustment of an organism 10 a new habitat or environment. Afforestation- Planting of forest cover over denuded land which has no forest or other cover or Accretion protection. a) The process of growth whereby material is AirPollutant- Any agent, including any physical, added 10 the outside of non-living matter. chemical. biological.radioactive substanceor matter b) Thegradual increase in flow of astream due that is emitted into or otherwise enters the ambient to influent seepage. air that is hazardous to plant or animal life. c) Any process of accumulation by flowing Air Pollution- The presence of substances in the water whetherofsilt, sand, pebbles,etc. airthat adversely affecthumans. animals, vegetation The difference between accretion and alleviation is or materials. that the latter is due to retardation of flow whereas Algae- Simple. aquatic plants containing the former may be due to any cause and in fact chlorophyll. induces alluviation. Alkaline Water- Water which is high in sodium Acid- Capable of donating hydrogen ions. percent but relatively low in total dissolved salts. Solutions of acids have a sour taste, change the colour of litmus paper from blue to red. and Alkalinity or Water- Alkalinity of water is a neutralize bases. measure ofits capacity to neutralize acids. Acidity or Water- Amount of acids, given as Ambient- The naturalconditions(orenvironment) milliequivalent of a strong base per litre of water, in a given place and time. necessary to titrate the sample to apH value of7. AmbientStandard- Maximumallowablelevelsof Acid Rain- Any type of precipitation with a pH specific polluting materials permitted by law. below 5.6. IS 15832 : 2008 Anaerobe- Anorganism having ability togrow in B the absence of free oxygen, Background Concentration- The pollutant Anion- A negatively charged ion. concentration that would remain if all errussrons from all sources that are quantified for use in the Annual Flood- The highest peak dischargeduring modeling or calculation process were fully stopped. a water year ina stream. Background Level-Pollutant levels that -are Anoxic - Pertaining to conditions of oxygen representative of the average conditions in a given deficiency. area. Aqua- Waterrelated. Bacteria- Single celled micro organisms that lack Aquaculture- The use of artificial means to chlorophyll. increase the productionofaquatic organismsinfresh BaseFlow or salt water. a) The sustainedordry weatherflow ofstreams Aquatic- Growingin water, non-terrestrial. resulting from the outflow of permanent or Aquiclude- A formation which. although porous perched groundwater and from the draining and capable ofabsorbing water. does not permit its oflarge lakes and swamps. movementatratessufficienttofurnish anappreciable b) The portion of the stream discharge that is supply for a well or spring. derived from natural storage. Aquifer- Aformation oragroup offormations that BaselineConcentration- Theambient concentration contains sufficient permeable material and is levels of a pollutant. saturated to yield sufficient quantities of water to Basin- Area drained by ariver. wells and springs. Beach- Depositional area at the shore of an ocean Aquifuge- A geological formation which has no or lake covered by mud. sand. gravel. or larger rock interconnectedopenings and hence cannot absorb or fragments and extending into the water for some transmit water. distance. Arable- Land suitable for cultivation by Bed Load - The sediment in almost continuous ploughing or tillage which docs not requireclearing contact with the bed. carried forward by roiling. or other modification. sliding or hopping along the bed ofthe stream. Bed Ana Velocity Method - A method of measuring load can be divided into contact load and saltation discharge at a section in a stream. Cross-sectional load. area of the stream is measured and velocity of flow Benthic- The bottom oflakes or oceans. is calculated at various depths using some type of instrument. Multiplicationofarea and mean velocity Benthos- Organisms living inor on the bottomof gives the discharge at that station. a water body. Littoral organisms live between 0 to 200mdepth. anddeepwater organismsatmore than Artlfidal RecharKe- Artificial recharge is the 200m depth. augmentation of the natural infiltration of Blo-accumulatlon- The progressive increase in precipitation. of surface water. into underground concentration of a chemical in organisms that live formation by some methodofconstruction. spreading in an environment contaminated with low of water.orbyartificially changing naturalconditions. concentrations ofthe chemical. AlI5lmUation- The abilityofawater body topurify Blo-amplificatlon- See Bio-rnagnification. itself of pollutants. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)- The AssJmllative Capacity- The maximum pollution amount of oxygen consumed during the microbial load that can be discharged into the environment utilization oforganics. without affecting its designated use. Biocide AttenuatioD- A decrease in the concentration or quantityof achemicalor biological materialcarried. a) ~b.iocid~isachemicalsubstancecapableof resulting from aphysical.chemicalandlorbiological killing different forms of living organisms reaction occurring in the period considered. used in water bodies and fields such as agriculture, forestry and mosquito control. Average ADDual Flood- A flood equal to the b) Chemical dusts and sprays applied to crops average of the annual floods during the period of recording. andtoland andwater surfacesfor the control of agricultural blights. nuisance insects. Average Annual KarnfaU - Rainfall equal to the vectorsofhuman and animal diseases, trash average ofthe annual rainfal1s during the period of fish, algae. waterweeds, and the like. record. 2 IS 15832 : 100B Bio-concentration - See Bio-magniflcation Bloomagnlneatlon - Increase in chemical concentration inorganisms as a result of passage of Biodegradable- II is a substance that can be chemical through the food chain. broken down to simple inorganic substances by the action of bacteria or fungi. Biomass- The total mass or amount of living organisms in a particular area or volume. Biodiversity Index - A factor derived from the numberofkindsoforganismsperunitareaorvolume Biomass or Standing Crop- The total mass or that denotes the extent of diversity in an area. amount of living organisms in a given population, area or trophic level. Biogas - Gas consisting mainly of methane produced by anaerobic digestion of organic waste. Biometry- The application of mathematics to the study of living things. Biogeographer- A geographically trained BlospbereorEcosphere- That portion oftheearth scientist oriented toward spatial descriptionof biotic and its atmosphere that can support life. features usually botanical. Biota- The plant and animal life of a region. Biological Clock- An inherent timing mechanism inferred 10 exist in some living systems in order to Biotic- Caused or produced by living organisms. explain various cyclical behaviors andphysiological Borrow Pit- An excavation dug to provide processes. material (borrow) forfillelsewhere. Biological Degradation- The biochemical process Botany - Thebranchofbiologydealing withplants. of the breakdown of complex. large organic Brackish- Somewhat saline water. molecules into small,simple molecules. BraeldsbWater Biological Diversity - The variety inherent in a) Waterrendered unpalatabledue tooceuive natural biological systems. Three levels of chloride content. biodiversity, usually referred to- genetic diversity, b) A mixture of sea water and surface runoff species diversity and ecological diversity. which occurs, in various proportions, at the Biological Indicator- A living organism that lower reaches of streams that debouch into denotes the presence of a specific environmental an ocean. condition. Such organisms are used to grade Braiding- Pattern of river bars with numerous environmental quality of an area. interconnected small channels. Biological Mechanisms- The waysusedbyliving organisms to process substances. C Biological Processes or Biological Systems Canopy - A cover provided by shrubs/trees to Processes characteristics of or resulting from the protect the soil from further erosion. activities of living organisms. Capillary Pores- Soil pores with diameters less Biological Productivity- The amount of matter than0.05 mm.Waterisheld inthe capillaryorsmall produced by the unit in question. pores of a soil usually with a tension ofmore than 60 em of water. BiologicalTreatment- Atreatment usedtoremove suspended solids, biodegradable organics and micro Carcinogenic- Capable of producingcancer. organisms from waste water.The processes included Carnivore- An animal or plant that feeds on arc: animals. a) Preliminary treatment - screening and grit Carrier- An infected penon (or animal) that removal: harbours a specific pathogen in the absence of b) Primary sedimentation; discernible clinical disease and serves as a potential source of infection for man or animal. c) Biological oxidation: d) Secondary sedimentation; and Catchment Area - The area from which a lake, stream or waterway and reservoir receives surface e) Advanced processes chemical treatment, flow which originates as precipitation. adsorption withactivated charcoal, filtration, CaUon- A positively charged ion. reverse osmosis, electrolysis, micro screening, ion exchange, chlorination and ChanDcl- A natural or artificial watercourse of ozonation. perceptible extent with a definite bed and banks to confine and conduct continuously or periodically Biological Waste- Waste derived from living flowing water. organisms. Channelization- Tostraighten anddeepenastream Biology - The scientific study of life. so that water will move faster. A flood reduction or 3 IS 15832 : 2008 marsh drainage tactic that can interfere with waste b) The reciprocal of electrical resistivity of a assimilation capacity and disturb fish habitat. water sample with I ern! cross section and I emlong.often expressed as 'reciprocalohms' Channel Rugosity - Ameasureoftheroughnessof or mhos per centimeter. the surface over which water must flow. Conftuence- Joining or the place ofjunction of Char- Large carbon particles. twoor more streams. Check Dam- A small low fixed dam. constructed Conifers- Cone bearing trees or shrubs. Mostly of brush. logs. timber. loose rock. masonry or evergreens, such aspine, cedar, spruce, etc. concrete inan erodedchannel to reduce the slope of the water flowing therein during high stages. and Conjunctive Use - Conjunctive use involves the also the resulting velocity thereby preventing coordinatedandplanneduseofboth,surfacewater and excessive scour and erosion and inducing groundwater, resourcestomeetwaterrequirementsfor deposition. Such dams are also used 'to retain optimum utilizationof water resources. debris'. They are usually built of inexpensive and Consumptive Use - The quantity of water temporary materials where dependence for ultimate consumed in evaporation transpiration and protection is placed on vegetative cover. metabolic processes during crops growth, including Chemical Oxygen Demand- A measure of the water consumed by accompanying weed growths. It oxygen equivalent which is required for the is expressed in water-depth units per unit area. also oxidation of an organically polluted water supply. called ConsumptiveWaterUseor Evapotranspiration. Chlorination- The useofchlorineforthetreatment Contaminant- Any physical.chemical,biological, of water. sewage or industrial wastes for disinfection or radiologicalsubstancenot normallypresentin the or oxidation. environment, or found at unusually high Chlorophyll- The green pigment in plants concentrations in wateror soil. responsible for photosynthesis. Contamination- Aprocess in which the chemical Climate- The average conditions of the weather composition of any substance changes due to a over a numberof years. contaminant and makes the substance unsuitable for Closed Lake- A lake that does not have adrainage its intended use. outlet. Contiguous - In actual contact with; also, near or Coastal Zone- Ocean water and adjacent land of adjacent to. the sea and its ecology. Correlation- Measure of inter-dependence Coliform - Ageneral term for thegroup ofbacteria between two variables. that comprise all of the aerobic and facultative Correlation Coemc:lent- A number or function anaerobic.gram negative (type ofstain related tocell that indicates the degree of correlation between two wall composition). non-spore-forming. rod-shaped sets of data or between two random variables and bacteria which ferment lactose(milk sugar)withgas that is equal to their covariance divided by the fonnation within 48 hours at35"C(95°F).Examples: product oftheir standard deviations. Escherichia. Citrobacter, Klebsiella (Su Faecal Coliform. IndicatorOrganisms (Fecal). Corridor Coliform, Faecal- Bacteria found in human and a) A narrow strip of land reserved for location animals faeces. A high coliform count indicates of transmission lines. pipelines and service potentialcontamination of a water supply by human roads. waste and the potential to cause disease. b) An area through which species can move Colony - A group of plants or animals living from one place to another over time in together. response to changes in environmental or as Compost- The humus-like product ofthe aerobic natural parts oftheir life history. or anaerobic composting of either night soil or Critical- A condition. measurement, or point at sludge mixed with organic material rich in carbon which some quality. property,or phenomenonsuffers (such as refuse or sawdust). a definite change. Concentration- Amountof solid mattercontained CriticalConcentration- Thelevelofconcentration in liquid usually expressed in mass of solid per unit of an impurity in water above which its use for volume of liquid. specific purpose, such as drinking. industrial and Conductivity agriculture gets adversely affected. a) The ability of water to conduct an electrical Critical Pollutant- The pollutant or pollutant current. which is dependent on the combination with the highest sub-index during the concentration ofionized solids in the water. reporting period. 4 IS 15832 : 2008 Cropland - Land regularly used for production of by the removal of material. The opposite of crops. agradation. Crop Rotation- The practice of alternating crop Dendritic - Channel patterns of streams with types to maintain fertility levels. improve soil tributaries that branch to form a tree like pattern. condition and avoid insect or disease infestations. Density - Mass per unit volume of any matter. etc. Depletion- Continuous or sporadic withdrawal of Cross-Section- Section of a stream at right angle water from a surface stream of ground water, or to the main (average) direction of now. reservoir or basin at a rate greater than the rate of D replenishment. DesalinizationIDesaltlng- Removing salt from Dam- Abarrier constructedacross ariverornatural ocean water or brackish water. watercourse for the purpose of: a) Impounding water or creating reservoir; Desert- A large area of land that has very little water and very few plants growing on it. b) Diverting water therefrom into a conduit or channel for power generation and/or Desert Crust - A hard layer containing calcium irrigation purposes; carbonate.gypsum orotherbindingmaterial exposed at the surface in desert regions. c) Creatingahead which can be used forpower generation; Desertincatlon- The process of development of desert conditions. d) Improving river navigability; e) Retention ofdebris; Detention Dam- A dam built to store streamflow or surface runoff and to control the release of such f) Hood control; storedwater. g) Domestic. municipal and industrial uses; Detention Tank- A tank used in water or h) Preservationofwildlifeand pisciculture;and wastewater treatment to provide adequate time for j) Recreation. etc. chemical or physical reactions to take place in the DataBase- Comprehensivesetofrelated data files body of water being treated. for a specific application. Dlschal"le- Volume of water flowing in a given Data Processing- Handling of observational data stream at a given time usually expressed in cubic until theyareinaform ready tobeused foraspecific metre per second or cubic foot per second. purpose. Disease- A particular destructive process in an Dad Storage- Storage of a reservoir not organism with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms. susceptible to release by the inbuilt outlet means. Disinfectant- Anagent.such as heat. radiation.or Decay Rate - The rate or reduction of the achemical,that destroys, neutralizes,or inhibits the concentrationof aquantityexpressed by itshalflife. growthofdisease-carrying micro-organisms. Deciduous- Falling off at one end of a growing DWnfectJoa- Achemical or physical process that period (season) or at maturity as with some leaves, kills organisms causing infectious diseases. antlers.insectwings. etc. It isacommonly used term todistinguish trees that shed theirleaves asopposed Disposal Well - A well used for the disposal of to evergreens which retain their leaves. waste into a subsurface stratum. DecompoRn- Organismssuchasfungi andbacteria DissolyedOxygen(DO) that break down complex compounds into their a) Amountofoxygenneededfor the respiration constituent units.They are also known as Reducers. of the micro-organisms responsible for aerobicdecompositionoforaanicmatterand DeepSeepage- Downwardswater movementinthe for plants and animals that are engaged in soil (and rocks) beyond the range of most plant resynthesizing organic matter, roots. b) Amount of oxygen required to oxidize DeepWellDisposal- Thedisposal ofrawortreated. unstable materials and for aquatic life to filtered hazardous waste by pumping it into deep survive. wells. DIaolyed Solid.- The total amount of dissolved DeloratatJon- The permanent removal of fo rest material, organic and inorganic. contained in water and undergrowth. and wastewater. Dexradatlon- The geologic process wherein Ditch- An open waterway that collects and/or strambedsand flood plainsare loweredinelevation conveys drainage water. S