AquaFiber Technologies Glossary

Biotechnology: Biological technology is technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture food science and medicine.

Cylindrospermopsis: is from the group of interesting organisms that have characteristics of both simple plants and bacteria and are called cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. This ancient group of algae tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions and has even been found growing in hot springs, Antarctic lakes under permanent ice cover, and extremely salty pools.
When blue-green algae dominate the aquatic community, they can become a nuisance by forming surface scums, producing obnoxious taste and odor compounds, and sometimes releasing toxic or irritating substances into the water.

Dredging: is an excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location.

Fecal coliform: The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in aquatic environments indicates that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material of man or other animals.

In general, increased levels of fecal coliforms provide a warning of failure in water treatment, a break in the integrity of the distribution system, or possible contamination with pathogens. When levels are high there may be an elevated risk of waterborne gastroenteritis

Fungicides: Fungicides are chemical compounds used to prevent the spread of fungi in gardens and crops, which can cause serious damage to the plants.

Inorganic Contaminants: Inorganic contaminants are compounds that typically do not contain the element Carbon in their structure. Inorganic contaminants can become dissolved in water from natural sources or as the result of human activity. Inorganic contaminants are regulated in public water supplies due to their ability to cause acute poisoning, cancer, and other health effects.

Periphyton Algae: is a complex matrix of algae attached to submerged surfaces in most aquatic ecosystems. It serves as an important food source for invertebrates, tadpoles, and some fish It can also absorb contaminants removing them from the water column and limiting their movement through the environment.

Lake Apopka: Lake Apopka is one of the largest lakes in Florida in the United States.  It is located west of Orlando and mostly in Orange County, but the western part is in Lake County. The lake is fed by a natural spring, rainfall and stormwater runoff. In 1941, a levee was built along the north shore to drain 20,000 acres of shallow marsh for farming. The discharge of water, rich in nutrients from agricultural and other sources, produced conditions that created a chronic algal bloom and resulted in loss of the lake’s recreational value and game fish populations.

Microcystins: Microcystin-LR is one of over 80 known toxic variants, and is the most studied by biologists and ecologists. It is among the most frequent and most toxic microsystin congeners. Microcystins usually occur within the cells, and substantial amounts are released to the surrounding water only in situations of cell rupture. Microcystin containing 'blooms' are a problem worldwide, including China, Australia, the United States and much of Europe. Once ingested, microcystin travels to the liver.

Phosphorus: Phosphorus is one of the key elements necessary for growth of plants and animals. Phosphorus in elemental form is very toxic Rainfall can cause varying amounts of phosphates to wash from farm soils into nearby waterways.

If an excess of phosphate enters the waterway, algae and aquatic plants will grow wildly, choke up the waterway and use up large amounts of oxygen. This condition is known as eutrophication or over-fertilization of receiving waters. This rapid growth of aquatic vegetation eventually dies and as it decays it uses up oxygen. This process in turn causes the death of aquatic life because of the lowering of dissolved oxygen levels.

Radiological compounds: Consumption of these contaminants has been shown to have negative health effects, ranging from diarrhea to various types of cancer.

Secondary contaminants: substances which are not directly health concerns, but may affect the taste, color, odor or some other aesthetic aspect of drinking water.

Volatile organic compounds: Volatile organic chemicals are found in compounds such as fuels, oils, or solvents.

Synthetic organic compounds: Synthetic organic chemicals include pesticides and herbicides used for agricultural purposes.