 |
 |
Guidance Documents Field Sampling Procedures Manual Glossary |
|
Glossary of Technical TermsAlternate Format: Adobe Acrobat [pdf 177 Kb]
Administrative Consent Order (ACO) – An enforcement document that compels a responsible party to initiate cleanup efforts. Background Samples – Samples that are collected and used to compare site conditions to the surrounding environment. Background samples are collected and handled in the same manner as all other samples. Biased Sample – Samples which are collected at locations based on historical information; behavior of contaminants or; knowledge about the physical system’s matrix (the physical system’s effect on fate of transport). Blind Samples – A quality assurance sample in which the laboratory performing the analysis is unaware of the sample’s true location this sample is collected a duplicate. Calibration – Process of adjusting an instrument’s read out so that it corresponds to actual concentrations. It involves checking the instrum ent with a known concentration of a surrogate to insure that the instrument provides a proper response. Caliper – A mechanical device that is used to measure the diameter of a borehole. Cleanup Standard – The combination of numeric and narrative standards established pursuant to this chapter for a contaminant or group of contaminants. Colorimetric Tube – Device used to estimate the concentration of a specific gas in air. A known volume of contaminant is pulled through the tube and reacts with the indicator chemical producing a colored stain whose length is proportional to the contaminant’s concentration. Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI) – Instrument used to determine the potential for combustion or explosion in an unknown atmosphere. Composite Sample – A non-discrete sample composed of more than one specific aliquot collected at various sampling points or times. Contamination Reduction Zone – Transition zone between contaminated area (exclusion zone) and clean area. The zone is where all personnel decontamination of hazardous waste is conducted. Department – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Dielectric Constant – The relationship between two charges, that is their distance of separation in relation to the force of attraction. Diffusion Sampler – Type of sampling device which functions by the passive movement of contaminant molecules through a concentration gradient created within a stagnant layer of air between the contaminated atmosphere and the indicator material. Distilled Water – Prepared by thermal distillation using a still of all-borosilicate glass, fused quartz, tin or titanium with the distillate meeting the following characteristics of Type I (Type II) water:
Deionized Water – Prepared by passing feedwater through a mixed-bed ion exchanger, consisting of strong anion and strong cation resins mixed together. The resultant water shall have the same characteristics as those for distilled water noted above. Electrical Resistivity – Geophysical sensing technique used to determine the structure and physical properties of subsurface geologic materials which can be used to detect anomalies which may indicate the presence of hazardous materials (e.g. drums, containers). Electromagnetics – Geophysical method which induces and detects electrical current flow within geologic strata. Environmental Samples – Samples of naturally occurring matrices such as soil, sediment, ground water, surface water and air. Exclusion Zone – Designated zone of a hazardous waste site where contamination is known to or may occur and can only be entered with appropriate personnel protection. Field Blank – A QA/QC sample used to indicate potential contamination from ambient air and sampling instruments. Flame Ionization Detector (FID) – An air monitoring instrument that utilizes the principle of hydrogen flame ionization for detection and measurement of organic vapors. Flowmeter – Measures the vertical movement of fluid in a borehole. Gas Chromatography – Analytical technique for separating compounds of a sample and qualitatively and quantitatively identifying them. Geostatistics – Statistical methodology that incorporates contaminant relationships between sample locations to derive conclusions about concentrations at locations lying between those points. Grab Sample – A discrete aliquot that is representative of one specific sample site location at a specific point in time. Ground Water – The portion of the water beneath the land surface that is within the zone of saturation (below the seasonally high water table) where all pore spaces of the geologic formation are filled with water. Handling Time – All trip blanks, field blanks, and environmental sample containers must be received in the field within one day of preparation in the lab. They may be held on site for a maximum of two calendar days. They must then be shipped back to the lab at the end of the second calendar day. All samples and blanks must be maintained at 4øC while on site and during shipment. Henry’s Law Constant – Expressed as a ratio between the partial pressure of the vapor and the concentration in the liquid. Holding Time – The analytical time clock for all samples and blanks measured between the time of sample collection and analytical extraction. Typically determined by matrix and specific analytical method requirements. Homogenization – Process whereby a sample is mixed in a stainless steel bowl or in-situ until a consistent physical appearance is achieved. This is performed for all parameters except volatiles. Koc – A coefficient that relates the partitioning of the organic compound between the adsorbed phase and the soil solution relative to the organic carbon fraction. Kriging – A geostatistical technique, which interpolates concentration values for locations between sampling points. Laboratory Decontaminated – The decontamination of sampling equipment and bottles in a controlled setting. Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) – Minimum concentration of a combustible gas measured as a percentage of the total constituents present in the atmosphere that will combust when ignited. Magnetometer – Instrument which is used to measure magnetic field strength in units of gamma. Matrix Spike – A laboratory Q/A sample comprised of the same matrix of the samples being analyzed. The sample is injected with a known concentration of a specific analyte. Method Blank – A laboratory Q/A blank comprised of demonstrated analyte free water that is analyzed simultaneously with the environmental sample. Method Detection Limit – The minimum concentration of a contaminant that can be measured and reported with a 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero and is determined from analysis of a sample in a given matrix containing the analyte. Passive Dosimeter – Device which utilizes the processes of diffusion and permeation to move a contaminant through a collection medium. Performance Evaluation Sample (PE) – Pre-measured, pre-determined samples of known concentration that are submitted by the NJDEP as a QA/QC check on laboratory performance. Photo Ionization Detector (PID) – An air monitoring instrument that utilizes the principle of photoionization for the detection and measurement of organic and inorganic vapors. Pollutant – Any substance defined as such pursuant to the Water Pollution Control Act, N.J.S.A 58:10A- 1 et seq. ppb – Parts per billion, micrograms per liter (ug/L), or micrograms per kilogram (ug/Kg). ppm – Parts per million, milligrams per liter (mg/L), or milligrams per kilogram (mg/Kg). Piezometer – A cased boring used to determine the level of ground water. Retention Time – Period of time from the injection of the sample into the gas chromatography system until the point of maximum detector response for each substance. Sample Network – Statistical method used to describe the frequency and location of samples to be collected. Semivariogram – Tool that shows the relationships between observations at sampling points based on the distance from each sample to the other samples. Soil – The unconsolidated mineral and organic matter on the surface of the earth that has been subjected to and influenced by geologic and other environmental factors. Soil Gas – Subsurface gas that may be generated by biological, chemical and physical decomposition of spilled, stored or illegally disposed waste. Soil Texture – A measure of the percentages of various particles size groups in a volume of soil, typically sand, silt and clay. Sorbent Samples – Consist of air samples, which are collected utilizing special adsorbents such as activated carbon and silica gel. Subsurface Soil – The soil more than two feet below grade and extending downward to the top of the seasonally high water table. Support Zone – Uncontaminated area where administrative functions needed to keep site operations running smoothly are conducted. Surface Soil – The top two feet of soil below grade. Trip Blank – A QA/QC sample whose purpose is to place a mechanism of control on sample bottle preparation, blank water quality and sample handling. Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) – Maximum concentration of a gas in percent that will combust in the atmosphere. Vapor Pressure – The pressure of a confined liquid such that the vapor collects above it. Volatilization – Process whereby certain compounds evaporate rapidly and easily into air at ordinary temperatures. Volumetric Water Content – The ratio of the volume of water in a porous volume to the total volume. Waste Samples – Samples that are comprised of process waste or other man made materials. Water Solubility – The extent to which a compound dissolves in water. Water Table – The seasonally high level in the saturated zone at which the hydraulic pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure. Well Purging – Process in which the standing water in a well column is evacuated. Weir – A device built to back up water. AcronymsACO – Administrative Consent Order AOC – Area of Concern ARARS – Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials BA – Biological Assessment BEERA – Bureau of Environmental Evaluation and Risk Assessment. BEMSA – Bureau of Environmental Measurements and Site Assessment BGWDC – Bureau of Ground Water Discharge Control BHWE – Bureau of Hazardous Waste Engineering BN/AE + 20 – Base Neutrals/Acid Extractables + 20 BOD – Biological Oxygen Demand BTEX – Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, Xylenes (also BTX) CC – Calibration Compound CERCLA – Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act CFR – Code of Federal Regulations CGA – Combustible Gas Analyzer CI – Curie (Radiation Unit) CIR – Color Infrared CLP – Contract Laboratory Program CM – 1. Case Manager COC – Chain of Custody COD – Chemical Oxygen Demand COLWASA – Composite Liquid Waste Sampler CPC – Chemical Protective Clothing CRDL – Contract Required Detection Limit CWA – Clean Water Act DL – Detection Limit DNAPL – Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid DOW – Depth of Well DO – Dissolved Oxygen DQO – Data Quality Objectives DRI – Direct Reading Instruments DRMR – Division of Remediation Management and Response DRS – Division of Remediation Support DSWHW – Division of Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste DTW – Depth to Water ECD – Electron Capture Detector ECRA – Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act EIS – Environmental Impact Statement EM – Electromagnetic (usually refers to geophysics) EMS – Environmental Measurements Section EPA – Environmental Protection Agency EP – Extraction Procedure ESLI – End of Service Life FID – Flame Ionization Detector FPXRF – Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (s) FS – Feasibility Study FSP-QAPP – Field Sampling Plan – Quality Assurance Project Plan FSPM – Field Sampling Procedures Manual GAC – Granular Activated Carbon GC/MS – Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer GFAA – Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy GIS – Geographic Information System GPC – Gel Permeation Chromatography GPR – Ground Penetrating Radar HASP – Health and Safety Plan HI – Hazard Index (for noncarcinogens) HOC – Halogenated Organic Compounds HPLC – High Pressure Liquid Chromatography HSL – Hazardous Substance List HSO – Health & Safety Officer HSWA – Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (to SARA) HRS – Hazard Ranking System HWS – Hazardous Waste Sites ICP – Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spec. ID – Infrared Detector IDL – Instrument Detection Limit IDLH – Immediate Dangers to Life and Health IFB – Invitation for Bids IRIS – Integrated Risk Information System IRM – Interim or Initial Remedial Measure LC50 – Median Lethal Concentration in a Bioassay LD50 – Dose Causing 50% Mortality in Bioassay LDR – Land Disposal Restrictions LEL – Lower Explosive Limit MCL – Maximum Contaminant Level (for drinking water) MDL – Method Detection Limit MOA – Memorandum of Agreement MOU – Memorandum of Understanding MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration MSP – Medical Surveillance Plan MTBE – Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether NAPL – Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid NBS – National Bureau of Standards NIOSH – National Institute of Occupational Safety NJAC – New Jersey Administrative Code NJDEP – New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJPDES – New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPL – National Priorities List O & M – Operation and Maintenance ORD – Office of Research
and Development (EPA – Cinn, Ohio). ORME – Other Regulated Materials OSC – On-Scene Coordinator OSHA – Occupations Safety and Health Administrative OSWER – Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OVA – Organic Vapor Analyzer PA/SI – Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection PAH – Polycyclic (Polynuclear) Aromatic Hydrocarbon PCBs – Polychlorinated Biphenyls PCI – Picocurie (equiv. 10-12 Curie Radiation) PE – Performance Evaluation sample PEL – Permissible Exposure Limit PF – Protection Factor PHC – Petroleum Hydrocarbons (see TPH) PID – Photoionization Detector PP + 40 – Priority Pollutant List + 40 Tentatively Indent. Compounds PPB – Parts Per Billion PPE – Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment PPL – Priority Pollutant List (see PP + 40) PPM – Parts Per Million PSI – Pounds Per Square Inch PTFE – Polyetrafluoroethylene (e.g. Teflon) PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride QA/QC – Quality Assurance/Quality Control QAPP – Quality Assurance Project Plan (also QAPjP) QAPMP – Quality Assurance Management Plan RCRA – Resource Conservation Recovery Act RD – Remedial Design REL – Recommended Exposure Limit RFA – RCRA Facility Assessment RFI – RCRA Facility Investigation RFP – Request for Proposals RI/FS – Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study ROD – Record of Decision RP – Responsible Party RSD – Relative Standard Deviation RTK – Right to Know SAP – Sampling and Analysis Plan SAS – Special Analytical Services SAR – Supplied Air Respirator SARA – Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act SCBA – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus SCS – Soil Conservation Service SDWA – Safe Drinking Water Act SOP – Standard Operating Procedure SOW – Scope of Work or Statement of Work SP – Self Potential Devices STEL – Short Term Exposure Limit SVE – Soil Vacuum (Vapor) Extractions SVOC – Semivolatile Organic Compounds (same as BN/AE) SWDA – Solid Waste Disposal Act SWMU – Solid Waste Management Unit (RCRA) TAL – Target Analyte List (Inorganics) TBA – Tertiary (Tert) Butyl Alcohol TBC – To be Considered (Refers to ARARs) TC – 1. Technical Coordinator TCDD – Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, usually 2,3,7,8-TCDD TCDF – Tetrachlorodibenzo furan TCE – Trichloroethylene, syn. – Trichloroethene TCL – Target Compound List (TCL + 30) TCLP – Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure TEGD – Technical Enforcement Guidance Document (EPA, 1986) TIC – 1. Tentatively Identified
Compound from Mass Spec. Library Search, Syn. – Non-Target Compounds TIP – Total Ionization Present TLV – Threshold Limit Value TOC – Total Organic Carbon TOSCA – Toxic Substance Control Act TOX – Total Organic Halogen Analysis TPH – Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (see PHC) TWA – Time Weighted Average UEL – Upper Explosive Limit UGST – Underground Storage Tank (also UST) USACE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (also COE) USATHAMA – U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency USEPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency USGS – Underground Storage Tank (also UST) VO – Volatile Organics (VOC, VOA, VO + 10) VOA + 10 – Volatile Organics + 10 VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds VOST – Volatile Organic Sampling Train (Air Sampling) VSP – Vertical Seismic Profiling WP – Work Plan XRF – X-Ray Fluorescence, Syn. (FPXRF) – Field Portable XRF |
|
|
To report an environmental
incident impacting NJ, call the Toll-Free 24-Hour Hotline |
|
Contact DEP | Privacy Notice | Legal Statement & Disclaimers | Accessibility Statement |
||
Site Remediation Program: SRP
Home | About SRP |
Search | Help Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996- |
