Glossary
Combined glossary and acronym list for the Open Burn/Open Detonation Program.
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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 |
| ADEMA | Arizona Department of Environmental and Military Affairs |
| ADEQ | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality |
| 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 |
| AGFB | Arizona Games & Fish Department |
| Airborne ordnance detection survey |
A survey that consists of a low flying helicopter equipped with magnetometers to detect ground anomalies |
| 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. |
| 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 forms 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 |
| ARNG | Army Reserve National Guard |
| ASP | Ammunition Supply Point - A secure area where ammunition used for training purposes is stored |
| 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 |
| AZARNG | Arizona Army National Guard |
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Background levels |
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 |
| 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 |
| Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Act | The BRAC Act is a federal law that reduces DoD assets by closing or transferring military installations |
| BTEX | Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene, Xylene - A group of compounds that are commonly found together in products such as gasoline |
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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 |
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 | A reduction in the ability of a contaminant to move in the soil or groundwater caused by chemical processes |
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 |
Cleanup | Actions taken to remove contaminants from the environment |
Cleanup alternative | See "remedial alternative" |
COC | Contaminant Of Concern, Chemical Of Concern |
CS | Chemical Spill |
| Contaminant | A harmful or hazardous material introduced into the environment that is not normally found there, or not naturally occurring. Though there are substances that occur naturally that may be harmful (arsenic, radon) in this context we are referring only to those substances that have been introduced to the environment via human activities. |
CWA | Clean Water Act |
cy | Cubic yard |
CY | Coal Yard |
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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 |
| Demilitarization | A term used when ordnance is defused, detonated or disassembled |
DERA | Defense Environmental Restoration Account |
DERP | Defense Environmental Restoration Program |
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 |
Drawdown | Lowering of the groundwater level caused by pumping a well |
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 |
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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 |
| EDMS | Electronic Data Management System |
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 | 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 |
EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
EPS | Environmental Performance Standards |
E&RC | Environmental and Readiness Center |
| ERIS-Range | Environmental Restoration Information System |
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 |
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Federal Acquisition Regulation |
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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 that establishes a legal framework for investigating and cleaning up Superfund sites |
FFCA |
Federal Facilities Compliance Act |
| FOASA | Former Open Air Storage Area |
FOIA |
Freedom of Information Act |
FS |
Feasibility Study - A report that identifies and evaluates potential cleanup alternatives |
| FSP | Field Sampling Plan |
FUDS |
Formerly Used Defense Site |
| FWPDBA | Former White Phosphorous Detonation and Burn Area (Chemical Canyon) |
FY |
Fiscal Year |
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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 |
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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 |
| Heavy Metals | A group of toxic materials, including arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, silver and zinc, that are often present at mines, DoD sites, mineral processing and industrial sites, including battery recycling and metal plating operations |
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 |
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Infiltration |
A shallow subsurface structure into which treated groundwater is discharged so that it can re-enter the aquifer |
Information |
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 |
| Installation Restoration Program (IRP) | The Installation Restoration Program was developed by the DoD to identify, assess, characterize and clean up or control contamination from past hazardous waste disposal operations and hazardous materials spills at DoD facilities |
Institutional |
Enforceable restrictions placed on land that reduce or eliminate exposures such as fencing, deed restrictions, covenants, or land use restrictions |
IRA |
Immediate Response Action |
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JP-4 |
A type of jet propellant, used extensively in the past that contains both gasoline and kerosene |
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Kg |
Kilogram |
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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 |
LOC_NAME |
Location name - Data collection point from a unique location |
LRWS |
Long Range Water Supply |
LTM |
Long-Term Monitoring |
LTO |
Long-Term Operation |
Lysimeter |
A device for measuring the percolation of water through soils and for determining the soluble constituents removed in the drainage |
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| MAP | Management Action Plan |
MCL |
Maximum Contaminant Level - The maximum concentration of a given contaminant allowed in drinking water |
| MEC | Munitions and Explosives of Concern |
MEK |
Methyl Ethyl Ketone |
MDL |
Method detection limit - The lowest level to which a compound can be detected using testing equipment |
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 |
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 |
| Munitions | Munitions include war equipment and supplies, like guns and ammunition, of a military force |
| Mustard Gas | Mustard gas refers to several manufactured chemicals, including sulfur mustard, that do not occur naturally in the environment. It is actually a liquid and is not likely to change into a gas immediately if it is released at ordinary temperatures. As a pure liquid, it is colorless and odorless, but when mixed with other chemicals, it looks brown and has a garlic-like smell |
| MWP | Master Work Plan |
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| NAAD | Navajo Army Depot |
NAPL |
Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids |
The process by which a compound is reduced in concentration and/or toxicity over time by natural processes |
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Natural resource |
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 |
| NAU | Northern Arizona University |
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 |
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 |
| National Priorities List (NPL) | The NPL is EPA’s list of the most serious hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term remedial response under the Federal Superfund (CERCLA). |
NRC |
National Research Council |
NRDA |
Natural Resource Damage Assessment |
NRTC |
National Research Trustee Council |
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OB/OD |
Open Burn/Open Detonation - The destruction of waste explosives by burning or detonating them in the open |
| Ordnance | The term ordnance defines military weapons as a whole, along with ammunition and the equipment to maintain them |
Organics |
Chemicals that contain carbon |
| ORS | Ordnance Related Scrap |
OSHA |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
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PA |
Public Affairs |
PA |
Preliminary assessment, Information about potential contamination at a site or plume to determine if further information is necessary |
| PBC | Performance Based Contract |
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 |
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). |
| Pesticides | A substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent or mitigate infestation by, or destroy or repel, any pest. Pesticides can accumulate in the food chain and/or contaminate the environment if misused |
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 (PRP) |
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 |
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| QAPP | Quality Assurance Project Plan |
RA(1) |
Remedial action - The environment from exposure to contaminants |
Remedial alternative - An option outlining a specific design for treatment to be compared and evaluated with other cleanup options |
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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 |
| Remedial Alternative | See RA (2) |
A term used for actions to deal with a release or threat of release of a hazardous substance that could affect humans and/or the environment. |
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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 |
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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 |
Soil vapor |
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Solvent |
Solvents are chemical products, usually liquid, used to dissolve or disperse 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 |
| Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) | A SAG consists of a diverse group of stakeholders interested in and/or affected by the presence of a hazardous substance site. The purpose of each member is to inform and advise the NGB, AZARNG and ADEQ. |
| SSHP | Site Safety and Health Plan |
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 |
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TAG (1) |
The Adjutant General - The head of the state is 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 |
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µg |
Microgram (one one-millionth of a gram) |
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 |
| USFWS | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
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 |
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Vinyl chloride |
A compound generally formed from the chemical breakdown of the compounds trichloroethylene and dichloroethylene |
| VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) |
A VOC is a member of a group of compounds that evaporate easily at room temperature. VOCs, such as trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, benzene and toluene are often used |
Volatilization |
The transformation of a chemical from liquid to vapor; evaporation |
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| White Phosphorus | The military has commonly used white phosphorus as an incendiary agent or as an igniter for munitions. It commonly is found in hand grenades, mortar and artillery rounds, and smoke bombs |
| WMM | Waste Military Munitions |
Xylene |
A compound typically found in fuel products, and used as a solvent |
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ZOC |
Zone Of Contribution - The area, including the aquifer and ground above it, from which a well draws its water |
Zone of |
A circular zone of groundwater movement created by flow into and out of a recirculating well |
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