Glossary of Environmental Terms

A

Biodiversity

The variability of living organisms, which are part of all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It includes diversity within a species, among species and ecosystems.

Environmental Heritage Conservation

The rational use and development or compensation, if any, of environmental components specific to the country, especially those that are unique, rare, or representative, to ensure its permanence and its ability to regenerate.

Contamination

The presence of substances in the environment, energy elements, or a combination thereof, in concentrations or concentrations and remain above or below, as appropriate, to those in existing legislation.

Contaminant

Any element, compound, substance, derived from chemical or biological, energy, radiation, vibration, noise, or a combination of them, whose presence in the environment, at some levels, concentrations, or periods of time, may constitute a risk to the health of people, quality of life of the population, the preservation of nature, and environmental heritage conservation.

Environmental Damage

Any loss, diminution, inflicted significant damage, or impairment to the environment or one or more of its components.

E

Environmental Impact Statement

A document descriptive of an activity or project to be carried out, or the amendments to be introduced, given under oath by the respective companies whose content allows the competent body to assess whether their environmental impact is set existing environmental standards.

Environmental Education

An ongoing process of interdisciplinary for the formation of a citizenry that recognizes values, clarifies concepts, and develops skills and attitudes necessary for a harmonious coexistence between human beings, their culture, and their surrounding bio-physical environment.

Environmental Impact Study

A document that describes in detail the characteristics of a project or activity that intends to perform or modify. Background should provide grounds for prediction, identification, and interpretation of environmental impacts and describe or implement actions to prevent or minimize significant adverse effects.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The process, by the National Environment Commission or the respective Regional Commission, if that, based on a study or environmental impact statement, determines whether the environmental impact of an activity or project meets current standards.

Environmental Impact

The alteration of the environment, directly or indirectly caused by a project or activity in an area.

B

Baseline

A detailed description of the area of influence of a project or activity, prior to its implementation.

L

Environment

The overall system consisting of natural and artificial elements of physical, chemical, or biological, sociocultural and their interactions, constantly modified by human action or natural, and conditions governing the existence and development of life in their multiple manifestations.

Pollution-Free Environment

One in which the contaminants are at concentrations below those periods and may constitute a risk to the health of people, quality of life of the population, the preservation of nature, or the preservation of the environment.

N

Environmental Quality Standard Primary

One that sets the values of concentrations and periods, maximum or minimum allowable elements, compounds, substances, biological or chemical derivatives, energy, radiation, vibration, noise, or a combination of them, whose presence or deficiency in the environment may constitute a risk to life or health of the population.

Environmental Quality Standard

One that sets the values of concentrations and periods, maximum or minimum allowable substances, elements, energy, or a combination of them, whose presence or absence in the environment can compromise the protection or environmental conservation or preservation of nature.

O

Emission Standards

Those that set the maximum amount allowed for one pollutant measured in the effluent from the source.

P

Preservation of Nature

The set of policies, plans, programs, and actions aimed at ensuring the maintenance of conditions that enable the evolution and development of species and ecosystems of the country.

Environmental Protection

The set of policies, plans, programs, and actions that improve the environment and prevent and control deterioration.

R

Natural Resources

Environmental components that could be used by humans to satisfy their needs or interests of spiritual, cultural, social, and economic factors.

S

Repair

The action of restoring the environment or one or more components of a quality similar to that previously had to damage or, if this is not possible, to restore their basic properties.

Sustainable Development

The process of sustained and equitable improvement of the quality of life of people, based on appropriate conservation measures and environmental protection so as not to compromise the expectations of future generations.

T

Latent Area

One in which the measurement of the concentration of pollutants in the air, water, or soil is between 80% and 100% of the value of the relevant environmental quality standard.

U

Saturated Zone

One in which one or more environmental quality standards are exceeded.