Glossary: C

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

COD measures the quantity of dissolved organic pollutants that can be removed in chemical oxidation.

Collapsible rocks

Some kinds of natural deposit can collapse, i.e. they undergo a rapid reduction in volume, when a load (such as a building) is placed on them and they become saturated with water. Such collapse can cause damage to property.

Contaminated Land

As defined for the purposes of Part 2A: Any land which appears to the Local Authority, in whose area it is situated to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that (a) significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused; or (b) pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be, caused.

Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH)

COMAH applies mainly to the chemical industry, but also to some storage activities, explosives and nuclear sites, and other industries where threshold quantities of dangerous substances identified in the regulations are kept or used.

Control of Pollution Act (CoPA)

Introduced for the first time in 1974, the Control of Pollution Act a licensing regime for waste disposal and treatment facilities in the UK, as well as controlling discharges of poisonous, noxious or polluting substances to controlled waters and streams in the England, Wales and Scotland.

Compressible Ground

Some types of ground, may contain layers of very soft materials like clay or peat. These may compress if loaded by overlying structures, or if the groundwater level changes, potentially resulting in depression of the ground and disturbance of foundations.