PPM Glossary
A complete A–Z reference of over 150 scientific terms used in PPM, chemistry, air quality, water treatment, analytics, environmental science and manufacturing.
A
Absorbance
Light absorption measured to determine PPM concentrations in solutions using spectrophotometry.
Acidity (PPM)
Amount of acidic species in water measured in PPM, affecting pH.
Adsorption
Surface-based removal of contaminants, often measured in PPM change before/after treatment.
Airborne Particles
Suspended particles (PM2.5, PM10) sometimes expressed in PPM or µg/m³.
Air Quality PPM
Concentration of gases or pollutants like CO₂, VOCs and ozone.
Alkalinity (PPM)
Water’s ability to neutralize acids, measured in PPM of CaCO₃.
Ammonia PPM
Concentration of NH₃ in water or air used in environmental monitoring.
Analytical Detection Limit
Smallest PPM concentration reliably measured in lab testing.
Anion Concentration
Negative ion content measured in PPM for water quality evaluations.
Aqueous Concentration
The dissolved amount of a substance expressed in PPM or mg/L.
B
Barium PPM
Barium ions in drinking water expressed in PPM for safety regulation.
Base Concentration
Strength of dissolved base, convertible to pH from PPM.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Indicator of organic pollution, measured in PPM (mg/L).
Bromine PPM
Used in spa sanitation; levels typically kept in PPM range 3–5.
Buffer Capacity
Ability of water to resist pH changes, linked with alkalinity PPM.
C
Calcium Hardness
Water hardness measured in PPM CaCO₃.
Chloramine PPM
Combined chlorine level in pools measured in PPM.
Chlorine PPM
Pool and water disinfection concentration (1–3 PPM typical).
CO₂ PPM
Carbon dioxide concentration in air; global baseline ~420 PPM.
Conductivity
Electrical measurement correlated with dissolved ion PPM.
Copper PPM
Copper ions in water; levels above 1.3 PPM considered unsafe.
Corrosion Index
Correlation of PPM ions to corrosion rate in water systems.
Cpk (from PPM)
Process capability index derived from PPM defect rate.
Cyanuric Acid PPM
Pool stabilizer concentration typically 30–50 PPM.
D
Dissolved Oxygen
DO in water expressed in PPM indicating aquatic health.
DPMO
Defects per million opportunities; used in Six Sigma quality.
Drinking Water Contaminants
Measured in PPM or µg/L according to EPA standards.
E
Effluent PPM
Concentration of pollutants in treated wastewater.
Electrolyte Concentration
Ion strength in solution measured via PPM.
Environmental Monitoring PPM
Tracking contaminants like nitrates, lead or mercury.
F
Ferric Iron PPM
Water iron content affecting taste and staining.
Fluoride PPM
Added to drinking water; ideal 0.7 PPM.
Free Chlorine
Active sanitizer concentration in PPM.
Food Contaminant PPM
Trace chemicals present in foods.
G
Gas Concentration PPM
PPM measurement of gaseous pollutants.
Groundwater PPM
Dissolved solids and contaminants.
H
Hardness (PPM)
Calcium and magnesium ions in water.
Hydrogen Ion Concentration
Determines pH level; convertible from PPM.
Hypochlorite PPM
Sodium hypochlorite strength.
I
Iodine PPM
Trace nutrient levels in water and salt.
Ion Concentration
Total dissolved ions measured in PPM.
J
Jet Fuel Contaminant PPM
Critical aviation fuel purity measured in PPM.
K
Kelvin Effect
Temperature correction impacting PPM gas concentration.
L
Lead PPM
Highly regulated contaminant in drinking water.
Limiting Reagent PPM
Trace concentration determining reaction completion.
M
Magnesium PPM
Part of water hardness measurement.
Molarity
Concentration measure convertible to PPM.
Mercury PPM
Hazardous contaminant regulated in water.
N
Nitrate PPM
Common agricultural pollutant.
Nitrite PPM
Related nitrogen species used in water testing.
Neutralization
Acid-base reaction tracked via PPM change.
O
Ozone PPM
Used in sanitation; harmful at high air levels.
Organic Contaminants
Carbon-based pollutants measured in PPM.
P
pH
Logarithmic measure of acidity calculated from H⁺ concentration.
Phosphate PPM
Water nutrient causing algae growth.
Potassium PPM
Essential nutrient tracked in soil science.
PPM (Parts Per Million)
Unit of concentration equal to mg/L in water.
Q
Quality Index
Calculated defect levels from PPM in manufacturing.
R
Residual Chlorine
Remaining PPM of free chlorine after disinfection.
Runoff Contaminants
Pollutants washed into water systems.
S
Salinity PPM
Total dissolved salt concentration.
Sigma Level
Converted from process PPM for quality analysis.
Sulfate PPM
Common ion in natural and treated waters.
Sulfur Dioxide PPM
Industrial gas pollutant measured in PPM.
T
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
Overall concentration measured in PPM.
Total Chlorine
Combined free + bound chlorine in PPM.
Turbidity
Clarity indicator correlated with PPM particles.
U
Uranium PPM
Radioactive contaminant regulated in groundwater.
V
VOC PPM
Volatile organic compounds in indoor air.
W
Water Hardness
PPM of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions.
Water Treatment PPM
Chemical dosing values measured in PPM.
X
Xenon Gas PPM
Trace element in atmospheric analysis.
Y
Yield Factor (PPM)
Manufacturing yield losses expressed in PPM.
Z
Zinc PPM
Trace nutrient and pollutant in water.
Z-score
Statistical value derived from PPM defect levels.