Groundwater Study Program

River River Drops of rain on a leaf

Glossary

Combined glossary and acronym list for the Impact Area Groundwater Study Program

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Above ground storage tank A tank that is located on or above the ground surface, usually used to store fuels or chemicals
ACO Administrative Consent Order
Adsorb To attach by physical or chemical attraction
AEC Army Environmental Command The office within the U.S. Army that integrates, coordinates and oversees implementation of the Army's environmental programs for the Army Staff
AEHA Army Environmental Hygiene Agency The former name of the Army's Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM)
AF Air Force
AFB Air Force Base
AFCEE Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment An Air Force organization, headquartered in San Antonio, TX that directs environmental work at military installations throughout the country; at the Massachusetts Military Reservation, AFCEE manages the Installation Restoration Program at Otis Air National Guard Base.
ANG Air National Guard
ANGB Air National Guard Base
AO Administrative Order A legally binding document issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if it believes a drinking water source is threatened. It requires the drinking water source to be protected. At Camp Edwards, the EPA issued a directive under the Safe Drinking Water Act that required the National Guard to investigate and cleanup the Impact Area and training ranges.
AOC Area of contamination, or area of concern A specific location where possible or actual contamination exists
APC Armored Personnel Carrier
Aquifer An underground water source
AR Administrative Record A collection of documents generated during the investigation of a site that form the basis for selection of a remedial action and are placed in a central location for public review; the documents include environmental investigation reports, proposed work plans, proposed cleanup methods, etc.
ARARs Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements Federal and/or state laws and regulations that must be met during the cleanup process
Army Environmental Hygiene Agency The former name of the Army's Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM)
ARNG Army Reserve National Guard
ASCC Air Station Cape Cod
ASP Ammunition Supply Point A secure area where ammunition used for training purposes is stored
Asphalt batching A state-approved method to clean low-level contaminated soil by mixing it with paving material; the final product is used as a base for paving roads, parking lots, etc.
ASR Archive Search Report A confidential interview process used to gather and evaluate information on past environmental practices
ASVE Air sparging and soil vapor extraction A mechanical process that cleans contamination from both soil and shallow groundwater
AT Abandoned Tank
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Attenuation see natural attenuation
AVGAS Aviation Gasoline A petroleum mixture used as aircraft fuel that is more stable than motor gasoline; it typically contains lead
Axial Aligned with the direction of groundwater flow

Back to top

B

Background levels A background level is the concentration of a hazardous substance that represents the level of the substance in an undisturbed environmental setting at or near the site. It can be used to evaluate whether or not a release from the site has occurred.
BEHA Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment (Massachusetts Department of Public Health)
Benzene A colorless component of fuels
bgs Below ground surface
Biodegradation The natural process that breaks contaminants down in the environment into non or less-harmful by-products
BIP Blow In Place
Bivouac Training exercise or camp area
BMP Best Management Practice
BOMARC Boeing Michigan Aeronautical Research Center The former Air Force missile facility at Otis that was closed in the early 1970's
BTEX Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene, Xylene A group of compounds that are commonly found together in products such as gasoline
BWSC Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup The office within the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection that oversees the investigation and cleanup of hazardous waste sites

Back to top

C

CAA Clean Air Act
CCl4 Carbon tetrachloride A chlorinated compound generally used in the past as a solvent
CDC (1) Centers for Disease Control
CDC (2) Contained Detonation Chamber A chamber used to safely blow up unexploded ordnance or munitions in an environmentally friendly way
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act A law, commonly known as Superfund, that authorizes the federal government to respond directly to releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment
CG Coast Guard
Chemical stabilization A reduction in the ability of a contaminant to move in the soil or groundwater caused by chemical processes
Chloroform
(Also called trichloromethane)
A colorless liquid, which has been found in many groundwater locations, both on and off the Massachusetts Military Reservation
CHPPM Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (U.S. Army) An office within the U.S. Army whose mission is to implement preventive medicine, public health, and health promotion/wellness services
CI Community Involvement
cis-1,2 DCE cis-1,2, Dichloroethene
CLAMS Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing
Cleanup Actions taken to remove contaminants from the environment
Cleanup alternative See "remedial alternative"
COC Contaminant Of Concern, Chemical Of Concern
CPEDW Camp Edwards
CS Chemical Spill
CWA Clean Water Act
cy Cubic Yard
CY Coal Yard

Back to top

D

DCE Dichloroethylene
DCM Decision Criteria Matrix A decision-making tool used to include the community and affected neighborhoods as full partners, along with the military and environmental regulators, in comparing and evaluating alternatives for groundwater cleanup
DD Decision Document A document that outlines the rationale and public comment early in the investigation stage leading to the decision that a "remedial investigation/feasibility study" is not required
DDE Dichlorodiephenyl Dichlorethylene
DDESB Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board
DDOU Drum Disposal Operable Unit
DD/RS Decision Document and Responsiveness Summary
DEIR Draft Environmental Impact Report
DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DEM Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management
DERA Defense Environmental Restoration Account
DERP Defense Environmental Restoration Program
DFWELE Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Environmental Law Enforcement
DNAPL Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid A group of chemicals containing chlorine compounds that are denser than water and dissolve only slightly; when introduced into the environment, they tend to accumulate as a separate layer below the water table and serve as a long-term source of groundwater contamination
DNT Dinitrotoluene
DO Dissolved Oxygen A measure of the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in surface water or groundwater
DoD U.S. Department of Defense
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
Downgradient The area toward which groundwater flows
DPA Diphenylamine
DPH Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Drawdown Lowering of the groundwater level caused by pumping a well
Drum Disposal Operable Unit A clearing in a wooded area near the Massachusetts Military Reservation's old wastewater treatment plant where 11 abandoned storage drums were discovered on the ground surface
DSRP Drainage Structure Removal Program
DU Depleted uranium A very dense metal by-product of the uranium enrichment process that is 40 percent less radioactive than naturally occurring uranium; it is commonly used in armor piercing projectiles fired from weapons, as well as in ballast for the keels of sailboats and counterweights for aircraft
DUSD Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

Back to top

E

EA Environmental Assessment An assessment of the likelihood of impacts from alternative courses of action. This assessment is a requirement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
EBS Environmental Baseline Survey
EDB Ethylene Dibromide An additive in aviation gas used to control the buildup of lead in engines
EE/CA Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis An evaluation of the costs of implementing an environmental regulation versus the overall benefits to society of the proposed action
EIR Environmental Impact Report
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
Emergency removal action An action that is taken to immediately clean up a hazardous material spill or other source of contamination
EO Executive Order
EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal
EOEEA Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPS Environmental Performance Standards
E&RC Environmental and Readiness Center
ESD Explanation of Significant Differences
ETI Extraction, Treatment, and Infiltration A system that extracts groundwater, treats it to remove contaminants, and returns the treated water to the aquifer
ETR Extraction, treatment, and reinjection A system that takes groundwater out of the ground, treats it to reduce or remove contaminants, and reinjects the treated water back into the ground
Exposure pathway The route by which a human, for example, may come into contact with a contaminant (e.g. drinking the groundwater)
EW Extraction well A well where water is pumped out of the ground to treat the water, and to redirect groundwater movement

Back to top

F

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation
FEIR Final Environmental Impact Report
FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement
Fence A series of wells aligned in a row, usually at right angles to the direction of groundwater flow
FFA Federal Facility Agreement An agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency and individual federal facilities (such as the Massachusetts Military Reservation) that establishes a legal framework for investigating and cleaning up Superfund sites
FFCA Federal Facilities Compliance Act
FOIA Freedom of Information Act
FS Feasibility Study A report that identifies and evaluates potential cleanup alternatives
FUDS Formerly Used Defense Site
FY Fiscal Year

Back to top

G

GAC Granular Activated Carbon
GC Gas Chromatograph
GC/MS Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer
GIS Geographic Information System
G&M Gun and Mortar
GP Gun Position
gpm Gallons Per Minute
GPS Global Positioning System
Groundwater The supply of fresh water found beneath the earth's surface

Back to top

H

Hazardous waste A waste material that may pose a threat to human health or the environment
HAZWRAP Hazardous Waste Remedial Actions Program
HE High Explosive
HMX High Melting Explosive; Her Majesty's Explosive
Hot spot Within a body of contaminated groundwater (plume), an area that has higher concentrations
HQ Headquarters
HRS Hazard Ranking System
HTW Hazardous and Toxic Waste
HUTA High-use Target Area
Hydraulic control Controlling the flow of a groundwater plume by pumping or injection of the aquifer
Hydrocarbon An organic (carbon containing) compound composed of hydrogen and carbon
Hydrology The science dealing with the properties, distribution, and circulation of water

Back to top

I

IAGWSP Impact Area Groundwater Study Program
IART Impact Area Review Team; this team has evolved to become part of MMRCT
Impact Area The training location where artillery and mortar targets were placed and fired at (Camp Edwards has a 5,000 acre impact area)
Infiltration gallery A shallow subsurface structure into which treated groundwater is discharged so that it can re-enter the aquifer
Information repository A collection of information that contains important facts relating to the cleanup of a Superfund site; it can include items such as technical reports and documents, maps, information out for public comment, and general program information
Inorganic A chemical that does not contain carbon
Institutional controls Enforceable restrictions placed on land that reduce or eliminate exposures such as fencing, deed restrictions, covenants, or land use restrictions
IRA Immediate Response Action
IRP Installation Restoration Program The U.S. Department of Defense program used at U.S. military bases to identify, investigate, and clean up contamination resulting from past operations; an IRP is located at Otis Air National Guard Base on the Massachusetts Military Reservation.

Back to top

J

J Ranges A series of three former training ranges at the Massachusetts Military Reservation
JBT J. Braden Thompson
JP-4 A type of jet propellant, used extensively in the past that contains both gasoline and kerosene

Back to top

K

kg Kilogram

Back to top

L

L Liter
LEL Lower Explosive Limit
LNAPL Low Density Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid
Lobe A separate portion of a main body of a groundwater plume
LOCID Location Identification A unique identifier assigned to a specific point (location) where measurements or samples are taken
LRWS Long Range Water Supply
LSP Licensed Site Professional An environmental professional licensed by the State of Massachusetts to manage the investigation and cleanup of hazardous waste sites; LSPs can be used in place of Department of Environmental Protection personnel at all but the most contaminated of sites in Massachusetts
LTM Long-Term Monitoring
LTO Long-Term Operation
LUC Land Use Control
Lysimeter A device for measuring the percolation of water through soils and for determining the soluble constituents removed in the drainage

Back to top

M

MAARNG Massachusetts Army Reserve National Guard
MassDEP
MA DEP
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
MANHESP Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
MEPA Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act The set of state regulations passed in 1977 that requires that, for every action that may have an impact on the environment, at least three alternatives be considered, one of which must be "no action"
MCL Maximum Contaminant Level The maximum concentration of a given contaminant allowed in drinking water
mcg Microgram (one one-millionth of a gram)
MCP Massachusetts Contingency Plan The state laws and regulations that govern the investigation and cleanup of oil and hazardous materials
MD/RRD Munitions Debris/Range-Related Debris
MEC Munitions and Explosives of Concern
MEK Methyl Ethyl Ketone
MDFW Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
MDL Method detection limit The lowest level to which a compound can be detected using testing equipment
MDPH Massachusetts Department of Public Health
mg Milligram (one one-thousandth of a gram)
MGD Million Gallons Per Day
Migration The movement of groundwater and contaminants through an aquifer
Mitigation Measures taken to reduce negative impacts on the environment
MMR Massachusetts Military Reservation
MMRCT Massachusetts Military Reservation Cleanup Team
MNA Monitored Natural Attenuation. See "Natural Attenuation"
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MW Monitoring well A well drilled into the groundwater used to collect data on water level and/or water quality
MP (1) Military Police
MP (2) Mortar Position
MPS Minimum Performance Standards
MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether; a gasoline additive

Back to top

N

NAPL Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids
Natural attenuation The process by which a compound is reduced in concentration and/or toxicity over time by natural processes
Natural resource injury and damages A measurable negative impact on the natural environment (land, fish, wildlife, groundwater, etc.), and the amount of money sought by the natural resource trustee as compensation for the injury to these natural resources
NBC Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical
ND Non-Detect
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act The set of Federal regulations passed in 1969 that serves as the basic national charter for protection of the environment; it requires that, for every action that may have an impact on the environment, at least three alternatives be considered, one of which must be "no action"
NFA No Further Action A designation that no additional cleanup work is necessary
NFRAP No Further Response Action Planned
NG National Guard
NGB National Guard Bureau
Nitrates A compound containing nitrogen that can have harmful effects on humans, animals, and water resources; nitrates in water can cause severe illness in infants and domestic animals
NOI Notice of Intent
Non-time-critical removal action A regulatory approach used when actions are needed to clean up a hazardous material spill that does not need to be addressed right away
NOR Notice Of Responsibility
NRC National Research Council
NRDA Natural Resource Damage Assessment
NRTC National Research Trustee Council

Back to top

O

OB/OD Open Burn/Open Detonation The destruction of waste explosives by burning or detonating them in the open
Organics Chemicals that contain carbon
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Back to top

P

PA (1) Public Affairs
PA (2) Preliminary assessment, Information about potential contamination at a site or plume to determine if further information is necessary
PAH Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon
PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl A mixture of synthetic organic chemicals used as insulating heat- exchange materials in equipment such as electrical transformers and capacitors; the manufacture of PCBs in the United States ceased in 1977
PCE Perchloroethylene or Tetrachloroethylene (Also called Perc or tetrachloroethylene, chemical symbol C2Cl4), a manmade chemical widely used in dry cleaning and for removing grease from metal surfaces
Perchlorate Perchlorate is a contaminant that can exist in the environment as part of other compounds also containing ammonium, potassium or sodium; approximately 90% of the perchlorate produced by US manufacturers has been for use as a rocket fuel oxidizer, and most of the remaining 10% is utilized in military and civilian explosives, munitions, and pyrotechnics (which includes items such as flares and smoke grenades).
PFSA Petroleum Fuels Storage Area
Phosphorus A nonmetallic element that occurs widely, especially as phosphates; an essential chemical food element that can contribute to the choking of lakes and other water bodies by plants
Pilot test A demonstration of a technology in order to evaluate performance under field conditions
PIP Public Involvement Plan A formal document that states how the public will be involved in the decision-making at high-profile hazardous waste sites
Plume A body of groundwater that contains contaminants in excess of amounts allowed by law; the plume is defined by multiple samples from multiple monitoring wells
Potentially Responsible Party Any entity (individual, corporate, military) thought to have contributed to the contamination at a hazardous waste site, or owned, operated, or used the site
PP Proposed plan A document that summarizes for the public the preferred cleanup alternative for a site and presents the rationale for the preference
ppb parts per billion A measure of concentration of contaminants; in water, it is equivalent to micrograms per liter; in soil, it is equivalent to micrograms per kilogram
ppm parts per million A measure of concentration of contaminants; in water, it is equivalent to milligrams per liter; in soil, it is equivalent to milligrams per kilogram

Back to top

R

RA (1) Remedial action The environment from exposure to contaminants
RA (2) Remedial alternative An option outlining a specific design for treatment to be compared and evaluated with other cleanup options
RA (3) Risk assessment An evaluation to determine the risk posed to human health and the environment as a result of exposure to contaminants
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RD Remedial design A phase of the cleanup that includes development of engineering drawings and specifications for a site cleanup
RDX Royal Demolition Explosive; Royal Dutch Explosive; Research Department Explosive A white crystalline solid used as an explosive
Reactive wall An innovative cleanup technology that involves placing a barrier, or "wall," of granular iron filings vertically into the ground across a groundwater plume; as the contaminated groundwater flows through the wall, chlorinated compounds react chemically with the iron to produce various non-toxic compounds
Recirculating well A process for capturing, treating, and releasing groundwater within the same well
Reinjection well A well where clean water is pumped into the aquifer to replace contaminated water that had been removed
Remediation Cleanup or other methods used to remove or contain a toxic spill or hazardous materials
Remedy A method, technique, or process designed to treat or clean up contaminated air, soil, sediments, or water
Removal action A short-term immediate action taken to address a release of hazardous substances that requires quick response
RfC Reference Concentration
RfD Reference Dose
RFR Request for Response
RI Remedial investigation An investigation to gather and analyze the data necessary to determine the nature and extent of contamination at a site, evaluate the risks to human health and the environment, and provide information for identifying and evaluating options for cleanup action
RI/FS Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
RIFSAP Remedial Investigation Field Sampling and Analysis Plan
Risk A measure of the chance that negative impacts to life, health, or the environment may occur
RRA Rapid Response Action
RS Responsiveness summary A document presenting formal comments received during the public comment period, along with responses to the comments

Back to top

S

SAP sampling and analysis plan
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act A law enacted to ensure that public water supply systems meet national minimum standards for the protection of public health; EPA has primary responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the Act are being met.
Sediments Soil deposited by wind, water, or glaciers
SERDP Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program A joint program between the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency that identifies, develops, and transitions environmental technologies that relate directly to defense mission accomplishment
SI Site investigation The initial investigation phase at a site or plume, including data analysis to confirm or deny the presence of contamination
Silt Soil that has grains finer than sand but coarser than clay
SMB Senior Management Board An advisory team consisting of the selectmen of the four towns adjacent to the Massachusetts Military Reservation (Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich), the U.S. Coast Guard, the Massachusetts National Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Wampanoag Tribe; it provides input on policy and management issues involving response actions of public concern, and to review the work of all other citizen involvement teams
Soil Target Cleanup Level The level to which soil must be cleaned, per Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulations
Soil vapor extraction See "Air sparging and vapor extraction"
Solvent A compound, usually a liquid, which dissolves or disperses other substances
Sorption The ability of some substances to soak up or attract contaminants and hold on to them
SOU Source Operable Unit
Source area The location where contaminants entered the soil, water, air, or sediment
SPEIM System Performance and Ecological Impact Monitoring
SSI Supplemental site investigation
STCL Soil Target Cleanup Level
STP Sewage treatment plant
Superfund See "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act"
SVE Soil vapor extraction. See "Air sparging and vapor extraction"
SVOC Semi-volatile organic compound Any compound containing carbon that partially vaporizes when exposed to air

Back to top

T

TAG (1) The Adjutant General The head of the state's National Guard
TAG (2) Technical assistance grant
TBD To Be Determined
1,1,1 TCA 1,1,1 Trichloroethane
TCA Trichloroethane
TCE Trichloroethylene A compound used to dissolve or disperse another substance such as oil and grease. It is widely used for dry cleaning and for removing grease from metal surfaces
TCRA Time-Critical Removal Action A regulatory approach used when quick actions are needed to clean up a hazardous material spill
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
Toluene A hydrocarbon typically found in fuel products; it also is used as a solvent in paints and oils
TNT Trinitrotoluene A compound that is used as a constituent in many types of explosives
TOSC Technical Outreach Services for Communities
Treatment A method, technique, or process used to change the physical, chemical, or biological composition of contaminated groundwater, soil or air
Trichloromethane See "chloroform"

Back to top

U

Upgradient The area from which groundwater flows
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USACHPPM U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine An office within the U.S. Army whose mission is to implement preventive medicine, public health, and health promotion/wellness services
US EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
UST Underground storage tank
UTES Unit Training Equipment Site
UXO Unexploded Ordnance — Military munitions that have been primed, fuzed, armed, or otherwise prepared for action and that have been fired, dropped, launched, projected, or placed in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to operations, installation, personnel, or material and remain unexploded by malfunction, design, or any other cause
UXORM Unexploded ordnance related materials

Back to top

V

Vinyl chloride A compound generally formed from the chemical breakdown of the compounds trichloroethylene and dichloroethylene
VOC Volatile organic compound Any compound containing carbon that evaporates readily to the atmosphere
Volatilization The transformation of a chemical from liquid to vapor; evaporation

Back to top

X

Xylene A compound typically found in fuel products, and used as a solvent

Back to top

Z

ZOC Zone Of Contribution The area, including the aquifer and ground above it, from which a well draws its water
Zone of recirculation A circular zone of groundwater movement created by flow into and out of a recirculating well

Back to top

Site Map | Related Links | Comments/Contact Us | Search | Home