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activated

4.8

Treated with air and bacteria to help break down waste

adjective
/ˈæktɪˌveɪtɪd/

Specialized

: lodo activado

The activated sludge process is widely used for wastewater treatment in large cities.

Examples

The activated sludge process is essential for wastewater treatment.
During the cleaning process, activated biosolids help break down organic pollutants efficiently.
After being activated, the sewage undergoes further processing to remove harmful substances.
The activated sludge process is widely used for wastewater treatment in large cities.
After the activated treatment, the sewage was much cleaner.
After being activated, the sewage undergoes further processing to remove harmful substances.
During the cleaning process, activated biosolids help break down organic pollutants efficiently.

Compounds

activated charcoal

Specialized

1 4.1

A black material made from carbon with many tiny holes that soaks up poisons and impurities

activated carbon

Specialized

1 4.1

A form of carbon with many tiny holes used to trap impurities from air, water, or the body

How Treated

stabilized

3.5

activated

Specialized

4.8

treated

3.2

raw

353 1.0

Surface Forms

activated positive

Morphology

activated = activate (semi-transparent) = activate + ed

Though historically 'activated' literally means 'made active', in 'activated sludge' the term has become a technical label for a specific treatment process, so its usage is somewhat specialized.

Etymology

The word activated comes from the root act-, meaning 'to do', as in active and action. In wastewater work it means the sludge is given air and bacteria so it is 'put to work' and can break down waste.