Degradation may refer to:

Science

Degradation (geology) In geology, degradation refers to the lowering of a fluvial surface, such as a stream bed or floodplain, through erosional processes. Degradation is the opposite of aggradation. Degradation is characteristic of channel networks in which either ...

, lowering of a fluvial surface by erosion *

Degradation (telecommunications) In telecommunication, degradation is the loss of quality of an electronic signal, which may be categorized as either "'' graceful''" or "''catastrophic''", and has the following meanings: #The deterioration in quality, level, or standard of perfor ...

, of an electronic signal *

Biodegradation Biodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. It is generally assumed to be a natural process, which differentiates it from composting. Composting is a human-driven process in which biodegrada ...

of organic substances by living organisms *

Environmental degradation Environment most often refers to: __NOTOC__ * Natural environment, referring respectively to all living and non-living things occurring naturally and the physical and biological factors along with their chemical interactions that affect an organism ...

in ecology *

Land degradation Land degradation is a process where land becomes less healthy and productive due to a combination of Human impact on the environment, human activities or natural conditions. The causes for land degradation are numerous and complex. Human activitie ...

, a process in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by a combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land *

Polymer degradation Polymer degradation is the reduction in the physical properties of a polymer, such as strength, caused by changes in its chemical composition. Polymers and particularly plastics are subject to degradation at all stages of their product life cycl ...

, as plastics age

Other

Elegant degradation Elegant degradation is a term used in engineering to describe what occurs to machines which are subject to constant, repetitive stress. Externally, such a machine maintains the same appearance to the user, appearing to function properly. Internally ...

, gradual rather than sudden * Graceful degradation, in a

fault-tolerant system Fault tolerance is the ability of a system to maintain proper operation despite failures or faults in one or more of its components. This capability is essential for high-availability, mission-critical, or even life-critical systems. Fault to ...

Degradation (knighthood) Degradation is the formal term for removal of a knighthood or other honour. The last knight to be publicly degraded was Sir Francis Mitchell in 1621. More recent examples include Sir Roger Casement, whose knighthood was canceled for treason dur ...

, revocation of knighthood *

Cashiering Cashiering (or degradation ceremony), generally within military forces, is a ritual dismissal of an individual from some position of responsibility for a breach of discipline. Etymology From the Flemish (to dismiss from service; to discard ...

, whereby a military officer is dismissed for misconduct *

Reduction in rank Reduction, reduced, or reduce may refer to: Science and technology Chemistry * Reduction (chemistry), part of a reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction in which atoms have their oxidation state changed. ** Organic redox reaction, a redox reac ...

, whereby a military officer is reduced to a lower rank for misconduct * Degradation, the former ceremony of

defrocking Defrocking, unfrocking, degradation, or laicization of clergy is the removal of their rights to exercise the functions of the ordained ministry. It may be grounded on criminal convictions, disciplinary problems, or disagreements over doctrine or ...

a disgraced priest * ''Degradation'', a song by the Violent Femmes, from '' Add It Up (1981–1993)''

Science

Other

See also