aero-, aer-, aeri-

A modification of the activated sludge method of purifying sewage: Bioaeration is a system of purifying raw sewage by oxidation in which crude sewage is passed through special centrifugal pumps.

Bioaeration is a sewage treatment method in which microorganisms oxidize the organic matter.

An instrument used to measure the quality of bad air or pollutions: The meteorologist used a cacaerometer to determine the condition or status of the air so he could provide an accurate weather report.

An organism which can grow either with or without air: In comparison to facultative aerobes, obligate aerobes cannot thrive without oxygen.

The treatment of diseases by exposure to sunshine and fresh air: Dr. Martin thought that helioaerotherapy would be a very good idea for Chuck's daughter who suffered from a chronic and recurrent lung ailment.

Aeration of waste water and industrial discharges by physical means: Mechanical aeration is the agitation of waste material from manufacturing companies by the use of paddle wheels, mixers, or rotating brushes.

A microaerophilic micro-organism: A microaerobion is a form of life, as a bacterium, that necessitates oxygen for thriving, but less than is present in the atmosphere.

An anaerobe that can tolerate or that requires only a low oxygen content: A microaerophil is a bacterium that needs some oxygen and grows in an environment with moderate atmospheric conditions.

1. Concerning growth in an oxygen concentration significantly less than that of the atmosphere: Microaerophilic life forms can develop in an environment where the partial pressure of oxygen is significantly below normal atmospheric levels but which is not fully anaerobic.
3. Referring to a tiny organism which is capable of living in an environment where there is not much oxygen: A microaerophilic form of life can be a bacterium that can thrive in an environment with less oxygen than normal.

A suspension in the air of minute particles: Microaerosol elements range from 1-10 mcm in diameter, are of uniform size, and can easily pass in and out of the respiratory tract.

An instrument for determining the amount of gases dissolved in the blood: When Clint had a physical check-up, his doctor used a microaerotonometer to assess the quantity of gases absorbed or dissolved in his blood.

An organism that requires air or free oxygen for life: Obligate aerobes are dependent on molecular oxygen to breathe and to metabolize elements, like fats or sugars, in order to acquire energy.

An organism that can live only in the absence of oxygen: In comparison to an aerobe, obligate anaerobes are life forms, like some bacteria, that can only thrive in environments lacking free oxygen or air.

A reference to an organism that grows in conditions of low oxygen concentration: Oligoaerobic bacteria are those that cannot develop and thrive in high oxygen environments, but in those with a meagre amount of oxygen.

A blockage of the Eustachian tubes between the middle ear and the pharynx: Otic barotrauma is a result of rapidly changing external air pressure, such as that which occurs during descent of an aircraft. This can cause ear pain, ringing, occasional dizziness, and diminished hearing.

"Eustachian tubes" are the passages, one on each side of the throat, which lead to the middle ear. The tubes open widely in the act of swallowing or yawning.

The opening into the throat is situated just behind the lower part of the nose, so that a catheter can be passed through the corresponding nostril into the tube for inflation of the middle ear.

"Valsalva's Manoeuvre", the pinching of the nose with the finger and thumb and attempting to blow hard through the nose, will usually relieve the blockage.

Positive aerotaxis: Prosaerotaxis is the movement of a life form, for example a bacterium, toward oxygen or air, and certainly not away from oxygen!