Glossary

Here you will find everything to do with water in alphabetical order.

A

B

C

D

E

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

S

V

W

Z

A

Adsorption is the attachment of atoms or molecules of liquids or gases to a solid surface. The gas or liquid molecule binds to the surface through weak physical forces such as van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. The term comes from the Latin "adsorptio" or "adsorbere" = to suck in.

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Aerobic and anaerobic are two terms that occur more frequently in endurance sports than you might think. Aerobic refers to metabolic processes in the organism that take place with the participation of oxygen, while anaerobic refers to metabolic processes that take place without the participation of oxygen.

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An algorithm is a unique set of instructions for solving a problem or a class of problems. Algorithms can solve any problem that has a finite number of possible steps and an objective function to be maximized (or minimized).

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Alkaline is a term used in biochemistry and chemistry. Alkaline means basic. If a solution has a pH value of more than 7, it is described as alkaline.

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The term amorphous is derived from the Greek word amorphos, which means "without form". The condition for the amorphous state is that the atoms cannot arrange themselves regularly (i.e. the viscosity must exceed a certain value) and that no crystallization takes place.

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Negatively charged ions are referred to as anions, as they migrate to the anode during electrolysis. Anions are formed by the absorption of an electron.

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Bioactive polymer that binds limescale in the water and prevents the formation of micro-deposits. We have also integrated an anti-scale module into the EVOadsorb to solve the increased limescale and corrosion problem.

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Antioxidants are substances that counteract the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can be formed by natural causes in the body, but also by harmful external influences such as cigarette smoke, environmental toxins or UV radiation from the sun.

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Aragonite is a common mineral that belongs to the class of carbonates and nitrates. It forms crystals that fall into an orthorhombic crystal system with the chemical composition Ca[CO3]. In its pure form, it is colorless and transparent.

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B

Bactericides are chemical substances that kill bacteria. Bactericides belong to the group of substances known as microbiocides. The ability to kill pathogens is referred to as bactericidal.

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The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. A diluted aqueous solution with a pH value of less than 7 is described as acidic, with a pH value of 7 as neutral and with a pH value of more than 7 as basic or alkaline.

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The Bernoulli effect shows that if you reduce the cross-section of a water pipe, the flow rate of the water increases.

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Bicarbonate is an essential component of the bicarbonate buffer system, which plays an important role in maintaining a constant pH value in the body. This means that strong fluctuations can be balanced quickly and easily.

Bicarbonate is responsible for regulating the pH value in the body and thus for balancing acids.

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Biomarkers are characteristics in the body that can be measured and used to determine whether a person's health is normal or abnormal. Biomarkers can be cells, genes, gene products or certain molecules such as enzymes or hormones.

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The term bioavailability describes how much of a nutrient or active ingredient can be absorbed and utilized by an organism.

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The blood-brain barrier acts as an important filter that only allows certain substances to pass through and protects the brain with a kind of barrier. This allows our brain cells to function normally. The blood-brain barrier prevents harmful substances from entering the brain and at the same time allows important nutrients to pass through. If necessary, it also allows degradation products - such as metabolic waste products - to pass through.

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Bromine is a chemical element in the periodic table that has many unusual properties: For example, it is one of only two elements that are liquid at room temperature.

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It was first isolated from seaweed in 1826 by the French chemist Antoine-Jérôme Balard. However, industrial production did not begin until 1860, when Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac suggested the name (from the Greek: "goat smell of animals") for bromine, as it has a pungent odor.

As it is toxic and corrosive, bromine vapors should never be inhaled and contact with the skin should be avoided.

C

Calcium carbonate or lime is an ionic compound that occurs in nature in various forms. Mountains, coral reefs and stalactite caves are largely made of limestone - a substance formed through a series of chemical reactions over the course of the earth's history. Marble and chalk are both special forms of calcium carbonate.

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Calcium hydrogen carbonate is a weathering product that is formed when calcium carbonate dissolves in water, releasing CO2 gas. As it partially dissolves in water, carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid (or, in simpler terms, H2CO3). The carbonic acid further dissociates into hydrogen carbonate (HCO4-), producing free protons.

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The salts of carbonic acid are called carbonates and hydrogen carbonates. When water containing dissolved CO2 is pressurized, a weakly acidic solution (formally known as H2CO3) is formed. Carbonic acid is an unstable compound that decomposes into water and carbon dioxide. Many types of carbonates - also known as spar - are found in nature, including mountains such as the Dolomites and coral reefs.

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The letters CE stand for "Conformité Européenne", a French term meaning "European Conformity". By affixing the CE marking, the person responsible declares that they have ensured compliance with all applicable EU regulations and have carried out a corresponding conformity assessment procedure.

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Chloride helps to maintain the body's water and acid-base balance and electrolyte content. It also plays a role in digestion: hydrochloric acid (HCl) is an important component of gastric juice.

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Exposure is the contact between a cell and a substance, a microorganism or radiation. In humans, this can occur through ingestion (swallowing), inhalation (breathing in), skin or eye contact. Exposure can be short-term (acute exposure), of moderate duration or long-lasting(chronic).

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Data objects in a given set can be divided into homogeneous classes by clustering.

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Carbon dioxide, also known as CO2, is a gas that makes up around 0.04% of the Earth's atmosphere, but plays an important role in maintaining the balance of other greenhouse gases and air temperature. This is because this gas (carbon dioxide) is produced when something is burned. Regardless of whether wood, coal or oil is burned - CO2 always rises into the air and compresses the atmosphere when something burns. Learn more

D

Distilled water is produced by boiling normal tap water or pre-purified water, whereby the condensed steam is immediately collected. It is largely free of salts, organic substances and microorganisms; however, it may still contain small amounts of volatile compounds.

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It is estimated that around half a million people in Switzerland suffer from various forms of diabetes. This chronic metabolic disease manifests itself in an increased concentration of sugar in the blood and has been given the colloquial name "diabetes".

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The density of water is highest at 4 °C because it occupies the smallest volume at this temperature. If the water is cooled below 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 Fahrenheit), it expands again. This is why ice, with its lower density, floats on the denser liquid water and forms a solid crust over still waters in cold climates.

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The term DIN stands for the German Institute for Standardization, EN for a European standard and ISO is the abbreviation for "International Organization for Standardization". These three standards are recognized worldwide.

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The treatment causes a change in the electrical alternating current resistance (impedance) of the water, which leads to an increased formation of calcium nanoparticles: these are the so-called dollops.

A rotary vane pump or vane pump is a positive displacement pump for gases and liquids. It consists of two cylinders, a hollow cylinder in which another cylinder rotates.

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German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water.

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E

Stainless steel is a very advantageous material in terms of hygiene, because: The stainless surface (made of chromium oxide) remains free of bacteria and other microorganisms even after frequent cleaning. This makes it easier to keep clean.

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Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electric current through the liquid.

Water consists of electrically charged particles called ions. Negatively charged ions have an excess of electrons, while positively charged ions lack some electrons. There are so many negative and positive ions in water that their electrical charges balance each other out. Water is therefore electrically neutral.

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G

The Golgi apparatus is a cavity enclosed by a membrane that fulfills important functions in cell metabolism. It takes up proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and remodels them before they are passed on to other parts of the cell. The Golgi apparatus performs this task because it contains enzymes required to process these new proteins into their final form, as well as other molecules required by the cells.

"Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) is a designation given by the US Food and Drug Administration to substances that can be used as preservatives in food without posing any health risks.

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H

H3O2, hexagonal water or structured or revitalized water refers to water in which the molecules are arranged in such a way that they form regular hexagonal structures (arranged at a 60° angle). It is the so-called fourth aggregate state of water.

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Water hardness is due to the calcium and magnesium compounds contained in the liquid. When these substances combine with carbon dioxide dissolved in the water, they form an insoluble compound. Water in the range of 0 to 7 degrees German hardness 0 - 1.3 mmol/L is referred to as soft water.

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The hydroxyl radical (OH) is a molecule consisting of a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom. As a radical, it has an unpaired electron and is therefore very reactive. It is formed when ultraviolet rays hit oxygen and water molecules in the troposphere, where it plays an important role in summer smog. It also helps to break down trace gases that would otherwise accumulate to dangerous levels. A real "detergent for the atmosphere".

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I

Infiltration is the process by which precipitation seeps into the ground. It is one of the components of the water cycle, an important natural phenomenon that occurs on Earth and other planets with large masses of liquid.

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Interference occurs when two or more waves are superimposed in space. The result is either amplification (constructive interference) or cancellation (destructive interference).

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Inside the cells (located).

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An ion is an atom or molecule that has a charge due to the loss or gain of electrons. Ions that are positively charged due to their charge are called cations. Those that have lost electrons due to negative charges are negatively charged and called anions.

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Ionization describes the process in which an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons and gains a positive charge. The result is a positively charged ion, the cation.

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J

Iodine is a trace element and an important component of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. As such, it plays a central role in the metabolism: all human organ systems (especially the nervous system) are dependent on iodine in order to function normally.

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K

Cations are positively charged ions. As they migrate to the cathode (negative pole) during electrolysis, this name was chosen for them - in other words: a cation is a positively charged ion.

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Cavitation is the formation and dissolution of vapor-filled cavities (vapor bubbles) in liquids. The word has its origins in Latin and comes from cavitare, which means to hollow out.

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The particles in the soil are divided into three categories depending on their size: Sand, silt and clay. The soil particles are held together by the formation of clay minerals and humus-oxide complexes. This creates a high-quality soil structure for plant cultivation.

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This area includes the ability to differentiate perception, i.e. how well one's senses work together; thinking - the process by which we recognize and become aware of things within ourselves and in our environment; the ability to form memories that relate to both internal perceptions (such as feelings) and external perceptions (such as facts); problem-solving skills, which enable us to think logically about situations where there may be more than one right answer; imagination/creativity - i.e. the extent to which one can find different ways of not only solving a particular problem but identifying entirely new problems. i.e. the extent to which one can find different ways to not only solve a particular problem, but to identify entirely new problems.

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A combination of water molecules in the same direction that oscillate in all directions.

Colloids (from the Latin words for glue and form) are particles or droplets that are finely dispersed in a dispersion medium (solid, gas or liquid). The size of the particles is usually in the nanometer or micrometer range.

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Condensation is the transition from water vapor to liquid water. When a gas undergoes this phase change (and thus changes its phase), its temperature drops.

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L

The conductivity of water is an important factor in determining its quality. Water with a higher content of dissolved particles has a higher conductivity than water with a lower content. The more polluted the water is, the higher its conductivity.

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When water droplets are atomized, they can appear to carry a negative charge, this is called balloelectricity, colloquially known as waterfall electricity or the Lenard effect.

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In a magnetic field, the Lorentz force acts on moving charges. It always acts perpendicular to the direction of movement. The Lorentz force is greatest when the charge moves perpendicular to the magnetic field lines.

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M

Electromagnetic flow measurement is the most widely used technical application of magnetohydrodynamics, also known as electromagnetic flow measurement. This method is used to measure the flow of a variety of liquids, including beer, milk, yogurt, drinking water, tomato ketchup, chemicals and wastewater.

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A membrane describes thin structures with different properties which, like a skin or film, have a large surface area in relation to their thickness. It is also called a membrane. The name comes from the Latin membrāna, which means membrane.

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The unit micrometer (µm) is a subdivision of the metric base unit, the meter. It corresponds to 0.000001 meters or 1 meter corresponds to 1 million micrometers.

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Although microplastics are found in nature, they are also produced for use in consumer products such as cosmetics and cleaning products (primary microplastics). On the other hand, microplastic particles can also be created when larger plastic parts break down over time (secondary microplastics) - these include not only bags in the oceans, but also clothing made from synthetic fibers and car tires.

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Minerals are chemical compounds that the body needs for its functions. They are dissolved in liquids and foods or contained as traces. The essential minerals include: Magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, sodium, phosphorus and sulphur, iron, iodine, zinc, fluorine, copper, manganese, selenium, silicon, cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium.

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The main task of the mitochondria is the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which takes place through a series of chemical reactions known as the respiratory chain.

The respiratory chain consists of a series of enzymes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondria - often referred to by scientists as the "powerhouse" because they generate most of the cell's energy - are important for cell function.

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The Mpemba effect describes a paradoxical phenomenon in which hot water can freeze faster than cold water under certain conditions. In 1963, the Tanzanian student Erasto B. Mpemba rediscovered this effect when he noticed that purchased ice cream that he had left in the freezer for some time and that was initially cold enough to freeze the milk he added later to a slushy consistency did not do so when it was stored again at normal room temperature (21 °C).

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N

Nanofiltration is a membrane process that retains dissolved molecules, ions and other small particles. Compared to reverse osmosis, which has a higher working pressure, nanofiltration can remove trace impurities from drinking water efficiently and at a much lower cost.

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A nanometer is one billionth of a meter (1 nm = 10-9 m) and gives nanotechnology its name.

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Neurodegenerative diseases are diseases that damage the nerve cells of the brain. Nerve cells are the basic components of the nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Unlike other cell types in your body, nerve cells do not replace themselves when they are lost due to injury or disease. Therefore, if the nerves are damaged or dead, they can no longer be repaired or renewed by the body. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's are characterized by the gradual degeneration of nerve cells.

Neuromuscular diseases are those that affect the functioning of the muscles. Patients often describe rapid fatigue, paralysis and/or cramps. They also report muscle atrophy.

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Nitrates are naturally occurring nitrogen compounds that plants use during the growth process. It passes through the roots and is stored in the cells as organic compounds such as proteins and nucleic acids. Nitrite can be formed in the body from nitrate or can already be present in food if it has not been stored properly or transported carefully.

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Nitrite (NO2-) is a conversion of nitrate that can take place either inside or outside the body by microorganisms. However, nitrite is far more dangerous than nitrate. In combination with amines (nitrogen-containing substances), it forms toxic compounds known as nitrosamines, many of which are carcinogenic.

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NSF is the world leader in product certification for food safety, indoor air quality, environment and water purity. NSF conducts unannounced on-site inspections as well as product testing and material analysis. Every aspect of a product's development is carefully examined before it can be certified.

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O

The surface tension of liquids is the result of molecular forces that keep their surface area small. The surface of a liquid behaves like a stretched, elastic film. This effect causes water to form droplets, such as raindrops or tears. It also contributes to why some insects can walk on water and why a razor blade appears to float when held over the surface of a swimming pool.

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Oestrogens are a group of female hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and play an important role in pregnancy. In women, oestrogen is mainly produced in the ovaries and in small amounts in the placenta and adrenal cortex.

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Oxidation, i.e. the loss of electrons from a molecule, can be observed in many places in everyday life. Iron, for example, rusts when exposed to oxygen. It is similar with cellulose, which burns when it is heated and there is enough oxygen in the atmosphere. Our body relies on oxidation to generate energy. Many metabolic processes in our cells use the oxygen we breathe in to oxidize substances and generate energy. For this reason, we need oxidation in our bodies.

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Excessive levels of free radicals can cause oxidative stress in humans.

Free radicals are compounds made up of atoms and molecules that have lost an electron, leaving one less electron than is needed to balance their natural tendency to oxidize (a process in which chemicals react with other substances).

Oxidation takes place when they react with other compounds. They snatch the missing particle from them (creating more free radicals).

Free radicals are important components of the human body that are produced during many processes in the body (e.g. cellular respiration or immune reactions).

Although free radicals are aggressive, malignant substances that accelerate the ageing process and cause disease in older people, they also protect against pathogens.

Oxidative stress occurs when the concentration of free radicals is too high. If the body remains in this state for a long period of time, there is a risk that it will develop certain diseases. Cancer and cardiovascular disease are two examples of these diseases. Oxidative stress is also associated with diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In many cases, however, there is still no clear scientific explanation for the link between these factors.

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P

Peritoneal dialysis (= peritoneal dialysis) is the most common form of home dialysis worldwide. In peritoneal dialysis, flushing fluid (dialysate) is regularly introduced into the abdominal cavity via a catheter. Draining the dialysate draws fluid from the body and removes toxins.

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Permeability is used in geotechnical engineering to express how easily liquids or gases (such as groundwater, oil or natural gas) can flow through soil and rock.

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Pesticides are a broad group of chemical substances with toxic effects on insects, rodents, plants and other organisms. The term "pesticides" is derived from the English word "pests".

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pH, or "pondus Hydrogenii", means "weight of hydrogen" and is therefore the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The more acidic a solution is, the lower its pH value. The more basic a solution is, the higher its pH value.

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The piezoelectric effect is a property of certain materials - particularly crystals such as quartz and tourmaline, as well as some types of glass and ceramics - that causes them to generate an electrical voltage when they are elastically deformed under mechanical stress. In contrast, materials deform when an electrical voltage is applied to them.

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The size of the pores determines the adsorption properties of a material.

  • Mikroporen (<1 Nanometer)
  • Mesopores (1-25 nanometers)
  • Macropores (>25 nanometers)

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S

The acid-base balance is a physiological control circuit that keeps the pH value of the blood relatively constant. The pH value of the human body must lie within a certain range between 7.35 and 7.45. This is known as the reference range. This is known as the reference range. If the value falls below 7.35, it is called acidosis (hyperacidity), if it rises above 7.45, it is called alkalosis.

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This barrier keeps harmful microorganisms at bay and helps the skin to maintain its moisture balance. An intact acid mantle makes it more difficult for pathogens such as bacteria and viruses to penetrate your body.

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According to ISO 6107-7:1997, black water is "domestic wastewater without gray water with fecal solids" in urban water management. Black water is wastewater from toilets.

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Heavy metals are generally defined as substances with a density of more than 5 g/cm³. Heavy metals include gold, silver, platinum and other known elements such as mercury, bismuth, iron, copper, lead, zinc, tin, nickel, cadmium, chromium and uranium.

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Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body's response to an infection triggers widespread inflammation and organ failure. Bacteria in particular, but also viruses, fungi and parasites, are common causes.

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Sulphates are salts or esters of sulphuric acid that occur naturally in minerals. The salts contain the sulphate ion as the anion. Sulphates are the most important mineral compounds for many metallic elements, for example iron.

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SVGW is the Swiss Gas and Water Industry Association. It is the knowledge, specialist and network organization for Swiss gas and water suppliers. The SVGW is committed to protecting our water resources.

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V

Evaporation occurs when liquid water turns into vapor while its temperature is below the boiling point.

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W

Water clusters are short-lived, unstable associations of water molecules that join together to form larger molecular groups.

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Water is made up of two hydrogen atoms (H) and one oxygen atom (O). The chemical formula of water is therefore H2O. This means that two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom together form a molecule, a water molecule.

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Although hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe, it is not found in the earth's crust. Water contains hydrogen and is a component of many organic compounds, including all living organisms. Hydrogen is the lightest of all elements.

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Hydrogen bonds form between molecules in which hydrogen atoms are bound to electronegative elements such as fluorine, oxygen or nitrogen. At 10 to 50 kilojoules per mole, the energy of a hydrogen bond is lower than that of a normal atomic bond.

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The sediment- and oxygen-rich freshwater in watercourses.

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Z

The term degeneration refers to functional and/or morphological changes in a cell, a tissue, an organ or the entire organism that represent a deterioration compared to full physiological performance.

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The process of penetrating a cell is called cell penetration.

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In physiological cell regeneration, dead cells are replaced by the organism's natural ability to form new cells. The ratio between new and dead cells varies over time in the organism. The renewal rate for small intestinal cells is two days, that for fat cells eight years.

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Cytotoxicity is the ability of a chemical substance (e.g. a drug), a virus or a specific immune cell (cytotoxic T cell) to kill the cells of another living organism. The substance itself is then referred to as a cytotoxin. 

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