Glossary of the earth.

A

·     Adverse health effects

Effects of chemicals or other materials that impair one's health. They can range from relatively mild temporary conditions such as minor eye or throat irritation, shortness of breath or headaches to permanent and serious conditions such as cancer, birth defects or damage to organs.

·     Advisory level

The level above which an environmental protection agency suggests it is potentially harmful to be exposed to a contaminant, although no action is mandated.

B

·      Bioaccumulation

The process by which the concentrations of some toxic chemicals gradually increase in living tissue, such as in plants, fish, or people as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food.

E 

·      Exposure pathways

Existing or hypothetical routes by which chemicals in soil, water or other media can come in contact with humans, animals or plants.

·      Extraction wells

Wells that are used primarily to remove contaminated groundwater from the ground. Water level measurements and water samples can also be collected from extraction wells.

O

·      Ozone and ozonation

Ozone is a reactive form of oxygen (O3) that reacts with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to change them into chemicals which pose no potential threat to human health, by breaking them down to form carbon dioxide and water. This is done with an ozonation unit.

P

·      Pesticide

A general term for insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Insecticides kill or prevent the growth of insects. Herbicides control or destroy plants. Fungicides control or destroy fungi. Some pesticides can accumulate in the food chain and contaminate the environment.

S

·      Sediment

The soil, sand and minerals at the bottom of surface waters, such as streams, lakes and rivers. Sediments capture or adsorb contaminants. The term may also refer to solids that settle out of any liquid.

·      Soil borings

Soil samples taken by drilling a hole in the ground.

·      Soil gas survey

Soil gas or (soil vapor) is air existing in void spaces in the soil between the groundwater and the ground surface. These gases may include vapor of hazardous chemicals as well as air and water vapor. A soil-gas survey involves collecting and analyzing soil-gas samples to determine the presence of chemicals and to help map the spread of contaminants within soil.

·      Soil vapor extraction

A process in which chemical vapors are extracted from the soil by applying a vacuum to wells.