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Definition of Terms

Audit
Official inspection of processes and measures in place by the manufacturing or operating site to prevent biocarrier loss
Biocarrier
Plastic support for bacterial growth used in fluidised bed biological treatment processes (MBBR, etc)
Life cycle
Sequence of steps from biocarrier production to their final use
Preventive measures
All protocols and installations intended to preclude the risk of loss of biocarrier to the natural environment
Leakage
Unintentional loss of biocarriers into the natural environment
Stakeholders
All institutions, project owners and their subcontractors, and any organisation that may be involved in the biocarrier life cycle
Spill
Discharge of untreated wastewater into the natural environment. It may also involve the discharge of untreated industrial water into the municipal sewer system.
Discharge
Release of treated wastewater into the natural environment.
Basin
Storage space for effluent during the treatment process, usually open
Tank
Same function as a basin but usually closed
Biofilm
A multicellular community of bacterial micro-organisms adhering to each other & to a surface and marked by the secretion of an adhesive and protective matrix. It is usually formed in water or in an aqueous medium.
Production site
The industrial site where biocarriers are produced.
Transport
Long-distance transport between the production site and the storage site.
Storage site
Any area where biocarriers can be stored in large quantities and for long periods. It can be located inside the production site, on the transport platform, or in the Wastewater Treatment Plant enclosure before being introduced into the tanks.
Handling
Means used to move or transport containers over short distances, to fill or pour biocarriers.