Glossary S

The Environmental Glossary. Letter S +++ Popular Articles: 'Soil', 'Substance', 'Surface'

Deutsch: Sekundärbehandlung / Español: Tratamiento secundario / Português: Tratamento secundário / Français: Traitement secondaire / Italiano: Trattamento secondario

Secondary treatment in the environmental context refers to the stage in wastewater treatment processes that focuses on the biological removal of dissolved and suspended organic matter. This treatment is crucial for reducing the pollutant load in wastewater before it is discharged into the environment or further treated in tertiary treatment processes.

A Secondary wastewater treatment plant is a facility that reduces pollutants and suspended solids to a greater level than that achieved by a primary treatment plant; the water goes through additional treatment processes, producing "cleaner" wastewater.

Sector in the environment context refers to specific segments or divisions of the economy, industry, or society that play a role in environmental issues, policies, and practices. These sectors encompass a wide range of activities and organizations, each with its own environmental impact and challenges. Understanding and managing environmental considerations within various sectors are crucial for addressing global environmental challenges and achieving sustainability goals.

Deutsch: Sediment / Español: Sedimento / Português: Sedimento / Français: Sêdiment / Italiano: Sedimento
Sediment is a naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of wind, water, or ice, and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particles. For example, silt falls out of suspension via sedimentation and forms soil (some of which may eventually become sedimentary rock).

Deutsch: Sedimentation / Español: Sedimentación / Português: Sedimentação / Français: Sédimentation / Italiano: Sedimentazione

In the environmental context, sedimentation refers to the process by which particles suspended in water or air settle and accumulate as sediment. This natural process plays a critical role in shaping landscapes, forming soil layers, and creating aquatic habitats. However, human activities such as deforestation, urban development, and agriculture can accelerate sedimentation, leading to environmental challenges like water pollution, habitat destruction, and reduced water quality.

Sedum is a plant genus containing several species suited for use in green roof construction. Sedum

Deutsch: Segment / Español: Segmento / Português: Segmento / Français: Segment / Italiano: Segmento

Segment in the context of the environment refers to a distinct part or section of a larger ecosystem, market, or environmental study. It can describe a specific portion of a population, type of ecosystem, or area within environmental management and planning. This term helps in the categorisation and analysis of different environmental components, allowing for more focused and effective conservation, research, and policy-making.

Self-Propelled is a term that is typically applied to farm machines with integral power units that are capable of moving about as Well as performing some other simultaneous operation

The acronym SEM may refer to any one of the following:

In Economics and Management:

  • Single European Market (or internal market), a single market of the European Union

Deutsch: Empfindlichkeit / Español: Sensibilidad / Français: Sensibilitê / Italiano: Sensibilità
Sensitivity may refer to the strength of physical or emotional reaction in people.