Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Ch15
Ch15
16
Geology
Undergraduate 2
04/26/2011

Additional Geology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
attenuation (waste disposal):
Definition
To dilute or spread out the waste material.
Term
biological oxygen demand (B.O.D):
Definition
Indicator of organic pollutants (microbial) in an effluent measured as the amount of oxygen required to support them. The greater the B.O.D. (ppm or mg/liter) the greater the pollution and less oxygen available for higher aquatic organisms
Term
composting:
Definition
Bacterial recycling of organic material.
Term
deep-well injection
Definition
The disposal reservoir may be sandstone or fractured limes and are capped by impermeable rock and isolated so as not to contaminate ground water.
Term
EPA
Definition
Abbreviation for Environmental Protection Agency.
Term
eutrophication:
Definition
The increase in nitrogen, phosphorous, and other plant nutrients in the aging of an aquatic system. Blooms of algae develop, preventing light penetration and causing reduction of oxygen needed in a healthy system.
Term
isolation (waste disposal):
Definition
Buried or otherwise sequestered waste
Term
leachate
Definition
The noxious fluids that percolate through sanitary landfills. If released to the surface or underground environment, leachate can pollute surface and underground water.
Term
NEPA
Definition
National Environmental Policy Act. Specifies that an environmental impact statement should include a description of the proposed action, a discussion of various alternatives (including proposed action), an indication of the environment to be affected, lists of preparers of the statement and those agencies, organizations, or persons to whom copies of the statement are to be sent.
Term
RCRA
Definition
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976; established to regulate the disposal of hazardous waste, both liquid and solid.
Term
recycling:
Definition
The recovery and reprocessing or reuse of material already used previously in construction and manufacturing. Minimizes the need for the development of new resources.
Term
resource recovery
Definition
The removal of certain materials from the waste stream for the purpose of recycling or composing them. Saves materials and energy.
Term
sanitary landfill
Definition
A method of burying waste where each day’s dumping is covered with soil to protect the surrounding area. This is also monitored to ensure protection of local underground water.
Term
secure landfill
Definition
Landfills designed to totally isolate the received waste from the environment.
Term
Superfund:
Definition
: A spin-off of CERCLA insuring financial accountability for environmental polluters.
Term
waste management
Definition
The disposal of waste, but also includes reducing the amount of waste at its sources, promoting waste recovery and recycling where possible.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!