A) the Penetration of One Substance Into the Inner Structure of Another
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Glossary A Alcohol: Compound in which a hydroxyl group –OH, is attached to a saturated carbon atom. Absorption: a) The penetration of one substance into the inner structure of another. b) The reduction of light Aldehyde: A broad class of organic compounds having intensity in transmission through an absorbing substance the generic formula RCHO, and characterized by an or in reflection from a surface. unsaturated carbonyl group (C=O). ACA: Ammoniacal copper arsenate Aliphatic: One of the major groups of organic compounds, characterized by straight- or branched- Accuracy: A measure of the closeness of an individual chain arrangement of the constituent carbon atoms. measurement or the average of a number of measurements to the true value. Accuracy includes a Alkalinity: The capacity of bases to neutralize acids. combination of random error (precision) and systematic Alkanes: A class of aliphatic hydrocarbons error (bias) components that are due to sampling and characterized by a straight or branched chain; generic analytical operations; the EPA recommends using the formula CnH2n+2. terms “precision” and “bias,” rather than “accuracy,” Alkenes: The group of unsaturated hydrocarbons to convey the information usually associated with having the general formula C(n)H(2n) and characterized accuracy. by being highly chemically reactive. Acid: In water, ionization or splitting of the molecule Alkynes: The group of unsaturated hydrocarbons with occurs, so that some or most of the hydrogen forms a triple Carbon-Carbon bond having a general formula H3O+ ions (hydronium ions), usually written more C(n)H(2n-2). simply as H+ (hydrogen ion). The pH range of acids is American Society for Testing and Materials from 6.9 to 1. (ASTM): This society, organized in 1898 and chartered Acid, strong/weak: Acids are referred to as strong or in 1902, is a scientific and technical organization formed weak according to the concentration of H+ ion that for “the development of standards on characteristics and results from ionization. Hydrochloric, nitric, and performance of materials, products, systems and sulfuric are strong or highly ionized acids; acetic acid services, and the promotion of related knowledge.” It (CH3COOH) and carbonic acid (H2CO3) are weak acids. is the worlds largest source of voluntary consensus Acid rain: Precipitation which has been rendered standards. (made) acidic by airborne pollutants. Amide: Derivatives of oxoacids R(C=O)(OH) in which Action level: In Superfund, the existence of a the hydroxy group has been replaced by an amino or contaminant concentration in the environment high substituted amino group. enough to warrant action or trigger a response under Amine: Compound formally derived from ammonia SARA and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances by replacing one, two, or three hydrogen atoms by Contingency Plan. hydrocarbyl groups, and having the general structures ACZA: Ammoniacal copper zinc-arsenate RNH2 (primary amines), R2NH (secondary amines), R N (tertiary amines). Addition reaction: A reaction in which chemicals are 3 + combined to form a new compound. Ammonium: The univalent radical, NH4 , or group NH , which plays the part of a metal in the salt formed Adhesive force: Molecular force that exists in the area 4 of contact between unlike bodies and that act to unite when ammonia reacts with an acid. them. Ammonoid: Any cephalopod mollusk of the extinct Adsorption: The retention of atoms, ions, or molecules order Ammonoidea, from the Devonian to the onto the surface of another substance. Cretaceous periods, having a coiled, chambered shell. Advection: The process of transfer of fluids (vapors AMU: Atomic mass unit or liquid) through a geologic formation in response to a Anaerobic: A condition in which “free” (atmospheric) pressure gradient that may be caused by changes in or dissolved oxygen is NOT present in water. barometric pressure, water table levels, wind Analyte: The chemical for which a sample is analyzed. fluctuations, or infiltration. Anion: A negatively charged atomic or molecular Aerobic: A condition in which “free” (atmospheric) particle. or dissolved oxygen is present in water. Anisotropic: In hydrology, the conditions under which Aerosol: A suspension of liquid or solid particles in a one or more hydraulic properties of an aquifer vary from gas. a reference point. Aggregate: A collective term denoting any mixture of Anisotropy: The condition of having different such particulates as sand, gravel, crushed stone, or properties in different directions. cinders. CHEMISTRY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS PAGE 1 R8/01 Glossary Annulene: Refers to monocyclic compounds having Atomic weight: The average weight or mass of all the alternating single and double bonds. isotopes of an element as determined from the Anode: The positive pole or electrode of an electrolytic proportions in which they are present in a given element, system, such as a battery. The anode attracts negatively compared with the mass of the 12 isotope of carbon charged particles or ions (anions). (taken as precisely 12.000), which is the official standard. Anoxic: Total deprivation of oxygen. ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Anthropogenic: Caused or produced by humans. Registry Anthropogenic Background Levels: Concentrations Avogadro’s Number (Avogadro’s Constant): The of chemicals that are present in the environment due to number of atoms (6.023 ×1023) present in 12 grams of human-made, non-site sources (e.g., industry, carbon-12 isotope (one mole of carbon-12) and can be automobiles). applied to any type of chemical entity. Aqueous: Something made up of, similar to, or containing water. B Aqueous solubility: The maximum concentration of a chemical that will dissolve in pure water at a reference Background: See background level. temperature. Background level: The concentration of a substance Aquifer: A geologic formation capable of transmitting in an environmental media (air, water or soil) that occurs significant quantities of groundwater under normal naturally or is not the result of human activities. hydraulic gradients. Background sample: A sample taken from a location Aquitard: Underground geological formation that is where chemicals present in the ambient medium are slightly permeable and yields inappreciable amounts assumed due to natural source. of water when compared to an aquifer. B(a)P: Benzo(a)Pyrene Aromatic (compound): A major group of unsaturated Base: Historically, a substance that yields an OH– ion cyclic hydrocarbons containing one or more rings, when it dissociates in solution, resulting in a pH >7. typified by benzene, which has a 6-carbon ring The more general definition, due to G.N.Lewis, containing three double bonds. classifies any chemical species capable of donating an Artesian: Water held under pressure in porous rock or electron pair as a base. soil confined by impermeable geologic formations. An Base, strong/weak: A base is strong or weak according artesian well is free flowing. to the molecules which break down (ionize) into positive ASTM: The American Society for Testing and ion and hydroxyl ion in the solution. Common strong Materials. bases (alkalies) are sodium and potassium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide. Askarel: Any of the class of synthetic nonflammable, liquid dielectrics used chiefly for insulation in Bed: A bed (or beds) is the smallest formal transformers. lithostratigraphic unit of sedimentary rocks. Atm.: Atmosphere; usually referring to atmospheric Bedding plane: A planar or nearly planar bedding pressure. surface that visibly separates each successive layer of stratified rock (or the same or different lithology) from Atmospheric pressure: The pressure exerted by the the preceding or following layer. air at sea level (14.696 psi), which will support a column of mercury 760 mm HG in height (approximately 30 Bedding plane parting: A parting or surface of in.). separation between adjacent beds or a bedding plane. Atom: The smallest unit of a chemical element; Bedrock: A general term for the rock that underlies composed of protons, neutrons and electrons. unconsolidated material. Atomic mass: The mass of a nuclide, normally Belemnite: A fossil pointed like a dart, being the expressed in unified atomic mass units (u). internal shell of a cephalopod mollusc. – Atomic mass units (AMU): A unit of mass, equal to Benzyl: The univalent group C7H7 , derived from 1/12 the mass of the carbon-12 atom and used to express toluene. the mass of atomic and subatomic particles. Bias: The systematic or persistent distortion of a Atomic number (Z): The number of protons measurement process, which causes errors in one (positively charged mass units) in the nucleus of an direction (i.e., the expected sample measurement is atom, upon which its structure and properties depend. different from the sample’s true value). This number represents the location of an element in Bicarbonate: A salt containing a metal and the radical the periodic table. HCO3; also refers to the radical alone. PAGE 2 CHEMISTRY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS – APPLIED R8/01 Glossary Bioconcentration: The accumulation of a chemical in Capillary force(s): The molecular forces which cause tissues of an organism (such as a fish) to levels greater the movement of water through very small spaces. than in the surrounding medium in which the organism Capillary fringe: The zone above the water table lives. within which the porous medium is saturated by water Blank: A clean sample that has not been exposed to under less than atmospheric pressure. the analyzed sample stream in order to monitor Capillary water: Water held in, or moving through, contamination during sampling, transport, storage, or small interstices or tubes by capillarity. analysis. Carbonyl: A compound of carbon monoxide with a Block: Any large, angular mass of solid rock. metal, as in Co(CO)3. Boiling point: The temperature at which a component’s Carboxyl group: Composed of a carbonyl group and vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure. a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom. Shown as Bond, chemical: An attractive force between atoms COOH or CO2H. strong enough to permit the combined aggregate to Carboxylic acid: Any of a broad array of organic acids function as a unit.