Auffangbaren

Auffangbaren is a term used in German technical writing to denote elements that can be intercepted, contained, or captured by a given system, process, or device. It derives from auffangen, meaning to catch or absorb, and the suffix -bar, meaning able to be. The noun form is typically used in the plural to refer to multiple instances, often translated as “catchables” or “interceptables.” The term is not standardized and lacks a fixed definition across domains, so its precise scope depends on context.

In usage, Auffangbaren can describe substances in environmental engineering that a spill-prevention or treatment system can capture, events detectable by a monitoring setup, or data points that a logging mechanism can record. In each case, the common idea is that the item lies within the handling capability of a controlled process or mechanism.

Because of its generic nature, authors commonly specify the intended meaning when introducing the term, for example by listing the types of Auffangbaren included in a study or by defining criteria such as thresholds, detection methods, or containment capacity. This contextual definition helps ensure clear communication across disciplines where the term might otherwise be ambiguous.

Related concepts include containment, interception, and capture capacity in technical systems, as well as broader notions of controllable or interceptable elements within risk management, environmental design, and data collection.