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
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
|