Scale vs. Sludge: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Scale refers to a series of graduated steps or a device for measuring weight/mass; sludge is a thick, soft, wet mixture, often a byproduct of industrial processes.
Key Differences
Scale, in various contexts, refers to a system or series for measuring or a range of different levels. In industry, scale might refer to mineral deposits that form on machinery, which are hard and crystalline. Sludge, by contrast, is the soft, viscous byproduct of industrial processes or sewage treatment. It is the accumulation of solids that settle from a liquid phase, and its management is a distinct challenge from the hard deposits of scale.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale can also denote the relative size or extent of something, like a map or architectural plan, or the magnitude of an operation or phenomenon. Here, scale represents a measured, deliberate grading, while sludge implies an uncontrolled, residual buildup. Scale provides a quantitative measure, whereas sludge is often something to be measured in terms of its removal or treatment needs.
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Nov 08, 2023
In music, scale is a sequence of musical notes ordered by pitch or frequency, while sludge has no such analogy. However, the term "sludge" can metaphorically describe a style of heavy, slow music (sludge metal), indicating a "heaviness" and "thickness" in sound, which contrasts with the clarity and structure a musical scale provides.
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Nov 08, 2023
Lastly, when discussing biology, scale can refer to the small, thin, rigid plates that cover fish or reptiles, offering protection. Sludge does not have a biological equivalent but is often a subject of biological study due to its composition, which requires biological methods for treatment or disposal. Thus, scale has a natural, structural connotation, while sludge is often seen as an undesirable byproduct needing management.
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Nov 08, 2023
Comparison Chart
Composition
Can be mineral deposits or a measurement system.
Is a semi-solid slurry, often waste.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Usage
Used to measure or indicate proportion.
Refers to a byproduct to be treated.
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Consistency
Solid or conceptual (e.g., maps, plans).
Thick, viscous, wet mixture.
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Nov 08, 2023
Metaphoric
Can indicate scope or level of operation.
Used to describe dense, heavy music.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale and Sludge Definitions
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Sludge
Sludge (industrial)
The sludge from the wastewater treatment plant was processed before disposal.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale
One of the many small hard dermal or epidermal structures that characteristically form the external covering of fishes and reptiles and certain mammals, such as pangolins.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
Sludge (sediment)
Heavy sludge settled at the bottom of the tank over time.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale
A similar part in other animals, such as one of the thin flat overlapping structures that cover the wings of butterflies and moths.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
Sludge (metaphorical)
The novel's plot was a sludge of clichéd events.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Scale
A small, thin, often flattened plant structure, such as one of the modified leaves that cover a tree bud or one of the structures that bear the reproductive organs on the cones of a conifer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
Sludge (slurry)
The thick sludge made walking through the flooded basement difficult.
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Nov 08, 2023
Sludge
Semisolid material such as the type precipitated by sewage treatment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
Mud, mire, or ooze covering the ground or forming a deposit, as on a riverbed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
Finely broken or half-formed ice on a body of water, especially the sea.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
A semisolid mass composed of an aggregation of cells (such as red blood cells in blood vessels) or particulate matter (such as cholesterol crystals and calcium salts in bile).
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A flaky oxide film formed on a metal, as on iron, that has been heated to high temperatures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A hard mineral coating that forms on the inside surface of boilers, kettles, and other containers in which water is repeatedly heated.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
A residual semi-solid material left from industrial, water treatment, or wastewater treatment processes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A system of ordered marks at fixed intervals used as a reference standard in measurement
A ruler whose scale is in inches.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A proportion used in determining the dimensional relationship of a representation to that which it represents
A world map with a scale of 1:4,560,000.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A calibrated line, as on a map or an architectural plan, indicating such a proportion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Proper proportion
A house that seemed out of scale with its surroundings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A progressive classification, as of size, amount, importance, or rank
Judging divers' performances on a scale of 1 to 10.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A minimum wage fixed by contract
Musicians playing a benefit concert for scale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
Anything resembling mud or slush; as: (a) A muddy or slimy deposit from sweage. (b) Mud from a drill hole in boring. (c) Muddy sediment in a steam boiler. (d) Settling of cottonseed oil, used in making soap, etc. (e) A residuum of crude paraffin-oil distillation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(Mathematics) A system of notation in which the values of numerical expressions are determined by their places relative to the chosen base of the system
The decimal scale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(Music) An ascending or descending collection of pitches proceeding by a specified scheme of intervals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sludge
Sludge (music genre)
The band's sludge metal riffs resonated through the concert hall.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale
To throw or propel (a thin flat object) through the air or along a surface, such as water or ice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(Dentistry) To remove (tartar) from tooth surfaces with a pointed instrument.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To make in accord with a particular proportion or scale
Scale the model to be one tenth of actual size.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To alter according to a standard or by degrees; adjust in calculated amounts
Scaled down their demands.
Scaled back the scheduled pay increase.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To estimate or measure the quantity of lumber in (logs or uncut trees).
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To have a given weight, as determined by a scale
Cargo that scales 11 tons.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
An ordered, usually numerical sequence used for measurement, means of assigning a magnitude.
Please rate your experience on a scale from 1 to 10.
The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on the open-ended Richter scale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Size; scope.
On an enormous scale was a blood-feast.
There are some who question the scale of our ambitions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
The ratio of depicted distance to actual distance.
This map uses a scale of 1:10.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A line or bar associated with a drawing, used to indicate measurement when the image has been magnified or reduced.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(music) A series of notes spanning an octave, tritave, or pseudo-octave, used to make melodies.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A mathematical base for a numeral system; radix.
The decimal scale; the binary scale
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A standard amount of money to be received by a performer or writer, negotiated by a union.
Sally wasn't the star of the show, so she was glad to be paid scale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Part of an overlapping arrangement of many small, flat and hard pieces of keratin covering the skin of an animal, particularly a fish or reptile.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A small piece of pigmented chitin, many of which coat the wings of a butterfly or moth to give them their color.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Part of an overlapping arrangement of many small, flat and hard protective layers forming a pinecone that flare when mature to release pine nut seeds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A device to measure mass or weight.
After the long, lazy winter I was afraid to get on the scale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(transitive) To change the size of something whilst maintaining proportion; especially to change a process in order to produce much larger amounts of the final product.
We should scale that up by a factor of 10.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(transitive) To climb to the top of.
Hilary and Norgay were the first known to have scaled Everest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To tolerate significant increases in throughput or other potentially limiting factors.
That architecture won't scale to real-world environments.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(transitive) To weigh, measure or grade according to a scale or system.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(transitive) To remove the scales of.
Please scale that fish for dinner.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(intransitive) To become scaly; to produce or develop scales.
The dry weather is making my skin scale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(transitive) To strip or clear of scale; to descale.
To scale the inside of a boiler
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(transitive) To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(intransitive) To separate and come off in thin layers or laminae.
Some sandstone scales by exposure.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(transitive) To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
The dish of a balance; hence, the balance itself; an instrument or machine for weighing; as, to turn the scale; - chiefly used in the plural when applied to the whole instrument or apparatus for weighing. Also used figuratively.
Long time in even scaleThe battle hung.
The scales are turned; her kindness weighs no moreNow than my vows.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
One of the small, thin, membranous, bony or horny pieces which form the covering of many fishes and reptiles, and some mammals, belonging to the dermal part of the skeleton, or dermoskeleton. See Cycloid, Ctenoid, and Ganoid.
Fish that, with their fins and shining scales,Glide under the green wave.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Hence, any layer or leaf of metal or other material, resembling in size and thinness the scale of a fish; as, a scale of iron, of bone, etc.
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Scale
One of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of Thysanura; the elytra of certain annelids. See Lepidoptera.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A small appendage like a rudimentary leaf, resembling the scales of a fish in form, and often in arrangement; as, the scale of a bud, of a pine cone, and the like. The name is also given to the chaff on the stems of ferns.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
The thin metallic side plate of the handle of a pocketknife. See Illust. of Pocketknife.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
An incrustation deposit on the inside of a vessel in which water is heated, as a steam boiler.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
The thin oxide which forms on the surface of iron forgings. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide, Fe3O4. Also, a similar coating upon other metals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order; as, a scale of being.
There is a certain scale of duties . . . which for want of studying in right order, all the world is in confusion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Relative dimensions, without difference in proportion of parts; size or degree of the parts or components in any complex thing, compared with other like things; especially, the relative proportion of the linear dimensions of the parts of a drawing, map, model, etc., to the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the object that is represented; as, a map on a scale of an inch to a mile.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or vary according to a scale or system.
Scaling his present bearing with his past.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To separate and come off in thin layers or laminæ; as, some sandstone scales by exposure.
Those that cast their shell are the lobster and crab; the old skins are found, but the old shells never; so it is likely that they scale off.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To climb by a ladder, or as if by a ladder; to ascend by steps or by climbing; to clamber up; as, to scale the wall of a fort.
Oft have I scaled the craggy oak.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
To lead up by steps; to ascend.
Satan from hence, now on the lower stair,That scaled by steps of gold to heaven-gate,Looks down with wonder.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
The ratio between the size of something and a representation of it;
The scale of the map
The scale of the model
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
(music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
A flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Take by attacking with scaling ladders;
The troops scaled the walls of the fort
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Oct 19, 2023
Scale
Scale (measurement device)
The scale showed that the suitcase weighed exactly 50 pounds.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale
Scale (gradation series)
The pay scale increases with experience and education level.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale
Scale (map representation)
The map's scale indicated that one inch equaled ten miles.
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Nov 08, 2023
Scale
Scale (biology)
The fish's shiny scales reflected the sunlight in the water.
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Nov 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "scale" also mean to climb something?
Yes, "scale" can mean to climb or ascend, especially in the context of scaling a wall or mountain.
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Nov 08, 2023
How is "scale" used in music?
In music, a scale is a series of notes arranged in a specific order, typically with a defined pattern of whole and half steps.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is the definition of "scale"?
In general, "scale" refers to a system of measurement or the relative size of something. In various contexts, it can have more specific meanings.
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Nov 08, 2023
What are some common contexts where "scale" is used?
"Scale" can refer to a musical scale, a measurement scale, a reptile's skin, or the size of something relative to a reference point.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is the definition of "sludge"?
"Sludge" refers to a thick, muddy, or viscous substance that often contains a mixture of water, solids, and other materials.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can "sludge" also refer to a thick, sticky residue in non-environmental contexts?
Yes, "sludge" can be used metaphorically to describe any thick, unpleasant residue or substance, such as sludge in a coffee pot.
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Nov 08, 2023
What does "scale" mean in the context of measurement?
In measurement, a scale is a set of divisions or markings on a tool or instrument used to measure length, weight, or other quantities.
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Nov 08, 2023
What causes the formation of "sludge" in water treatment processes?
Sludge forms when solid particles and impurities settle to the bottom of water during treatment processes.
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Nov 08, 2023
Where is "sludge" commonly found?
Sludge can be found in wastewater treatment plants, industrial processes, and natural environments like swamps and ponds.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is the process of sludge removal and disposal?
Sludge removal and disposal involve separating and treating the solids from liquid components, with the solids often being incinerated, composted, or disposed of in landfills.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is the difference between "scale" and "scale down"?
"Scale" refers to the size or proportion, while "scale down" specifically means reducing the size, quantity, or intensity of something.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is "sludge" harmful to the environment?
Depending on its composition, sludge can contain pollutants and may be harmful to the environment if not properly managed.
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Nov 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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