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Solubility
The largest amount of a substance that can be dissolved in a given amount of a liquid, usually water. For a highly water-soluble compound, such as table salt, a lot can dissolve in water. Motor oil is only slightly soluble in water.
Preliminary Site Assessment (PSA)
A process followed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to determine if a site contains hazardous waste and its potential for harming the public health or environment.
Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
A system of procedures, checks and audits to judge and control the quality of measurements and reduce the uncertainty of data. Some quality control procedures include having more than one person review the findings and analyzing a sample at different times or laboratories to see if the findings are similar.
Detection limit
The smallest amount of substance that a laboratory test can reliably measure in a sample of air, water, soil or other medium.
Aerobic treatment
Process by which microbes decompose complex organic compounds in the presence of oxygen and use the liberated energy for reproduction and growth. Types of aerobic processes include extended aeration, trickling filtration, and rotating biological contactors.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
ATSDR is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As mandated by the federal superfund law, the agency assesses health risks from hazardous waste sites on the National Priority List.
Superfund (federal and state)
The federal and state programs to investigate and clean up inactive hazardous waste sites.
Marsh
A type of wetland that does not accumulate appreciable peat deposits and is dominated by herbaceous vegetation.Marshes may be either fresh or saltwater and tidal or non-tidal.(See: wetlands).
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
A compilation of information required under the OSHA Communication Standard on the identity of hazardous chemicals, health, and physical hazards, exposure limits, and precautions. Section 311 of SARA requires facilities to submit MSDSs under certain circumstances.
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. See "Superfund."
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