General Glossary

Plants or animals living in water.

An underground layer of sand,
gravel or rock that stores or
conveys water below the surface of
the soil.

An underground bed or layer of
soil, rock or clay that is too
dense to allow easy passage of
water.

Applicable, relevant and
appropriate requirements --
federal, state and local
regulations that apply to cleanup
options.

In combusion, solid residue that
remains after waste has been
completely burned.

A tract of land in which the
ground is broadly tilted toward a
common point. Water that falls
onto any portion of the basin is
carried toward the common point by
a single river system.

The solid rock found on the
surface of the land or just below
the soil

Build up of toxic substances in
fish flesh. Toxic effects may be
passed on to humans eating the
fish.

Able to be broken down into
simpler products by microscopic
plants and animals.

The amount of oxygen required by
aerobic microorganisms to
decompose the organic matter in
sample of water. Used as a measure
of the degree of water pollution.