Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Nonconformity:
an unconformity where horizontal strata or layers of sedimentary rock
overlie igneous or metamorphic crystalline rock.
Nonpoint source pollution:
pollution from a diffuse or unknown source.
Organochlorines:
an organic compound containing at least one covalently bonded chlo-
rine atom.
Overgrowth:
the importation of excess nutrients into an ecosystem.
Oxbow lake:
a U-shaped body of water formed when a river meander is cut off from the
main body of water flow due to erosion.
Oxidant:
an atom donating an electron.
Ozone:
O
3
, a gas present in the upper and lower atmosphere. Ozone in the upper atmo-
sphere absorbs ultraviolet radiation produced by the sun and is beneficial. In the
lower atmosphere, ozone is considered a pollutant and is a major component of
smog.
Parasite:
an organism living on or within a different organism or host at the expense of
the host organism.
Particulate matter:
complex mixture of very small particles and liquid droplets emitted
into the atmosphere. Also referred to as particle pollution.
Particle pollution:
complex mixture of very small particles and liquid droplets emitted
into the atmosphere. Also referred to as particulate matter.
Pebble:
clastic sediment and a subset grouping of gravel with a size range from 4 to 64 mm.
Permeability:
a measure of a geologic material's ability to be penetrated by water.
Permeable reactive barrier:
a groundwater remedial method involving installation of a
wall or fence-like structure constructed beneath the surface of the ground within
the saturated zone downgradient of the contamination. The wall is composed of
chemicals that degrade or destroy the contaminants of concern.
Persistence:
a measure of a substance's ability to remain in the environment before being
degraded, transformed, or destroyed.
Pest:
living organisms occurring where they are not wanted or causing damage to crops,
humans, or animals.
Pesticide:
a chemical compound with the function of preventing, destroying, repelling, or
mitigating any pest.
Phase I environmental site assessment:
a qualitative study of the current environmental
condition of a property or site.
Phase II investigation:
quantitative investigation conducted at a property or site after a
Phase I environmental site assessment. The objective is to confirm or refute the pres-
ence of contamination, or define the nature and extent of known contamination.
Phenol:
a group of organic compounds composed of one or more hydroxyl groups attached
to a carbon atom in a benzene ring.
Photochemical degradation:
a chemical reaction where a substance is broken down or
degraded by photons. Commonly occurs in the presence of sunlight. Also referred
to as photodegradation or photolysis.
Photochemical smog:
a form of air pollution formed through a reaction of air contami-
nants and sunlight.
Photodegradation:
a chemical reaction where a substance is broken down or degraded by
photons. Commonly occurs in the presence of sunlight. Also referred to as pho-
tolysis or photochemical degradation.
Photolysis:
a chemical reaction where a substance is broken down or degraded by pho-
tons. Commonly occurs in the presence of sunlight. Also referred to as photodeg-
radation or photochemical degradation.
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