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Terms

Adsorption / adsorb / sorbed

Adsorption / adsorb / sorbed

Definition

The attraction and adhesion of a layer of molecules from a liquid or gas to the solid surface with which it is in contact.
Air stripping (unit)

Air stripping (unit)

Definition

Air is blown upwards through a falling column of contaminated water. The air 'drives off' the contaminants from the water, producing a dilute air stream containing organic vapours. This occurs in a structure called a stripping column. (Air stripping unit = the component in the Groundwater Treatment Plant that strips the volatile contaminants from water)
Ambient air

Ambient air

Definition

Outdoor air
ANZECC

ANZECC

Definition

Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council. An Australian and New Zealand government forum that developed guidelines for national and international environmental issues such as marine and freshwater discharge (e.g. ANZECC Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality [2000]) or management of hazardous wastes such as HCB (e.g. HCB Waste Management Plan). The group was disbanded in 2001 and was replaced by a number of different councils between 2001 and 2013. The federal government is currently working on how the work in these forums will be handled in the future. The guidelines remain current.
ANZECC (2000) trigger values

ANZECC (2000) trigger values

Definition

Values established by ANZECC on its Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) where, if these values are exceeded, they may be used to trigger an investigation or initiate a management response. These values are specific or detailed targets that are aimed to meet in order to protect the agreed environmental value of the water body.
Aquifer

Aquifer

Definition

An underground geological formation that contains water and is capable of yielding water to a well or spring; a water-bearing formation.
Background levels

Background levels

Definition

Levels of substances or chemicals that are commonly found in the local environment.
Basel Convention

Basel Convention

Definition

An international environmental convention, which Australia ratified, for the control of trans-border movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
View Basel Convention website.
Benthic organisms (benthos)

Benthic organisms (benthos)

Definition

Plants and animals that dwell on or in the sediment at the bottom of a water body (ocean, lake, river, etc.)
Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation

Definition

The build-up of a substance in the body of living organisms.
Bioaugmentation

Bioaugmentation

Definition

A remediation method in which a group of natural or genetically engineered variant microorganisms is introduced (injected) to treat the contaminated soil or water.
Bioculture

Bioculture

Definition

A strain or line of cells (often of microorganisms) grown and maintained in an artificial environment.
Biodegradation

Biodegradation

Definition

The breaking down of compounds by biological processes including activity by microorganisms.
Biofouling

Biofouling

Definition

A build-up of biologically derived material - e.g. bacteria or fungal matter - leading to a restriction in flow.
Biological aerated filter (BAF)

Biological aerated filter (BAF)

Definition

A combination of filtration with biological carbon reduction (i.e., biodegradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons and other organic compounds). BAF usually includes a reactor filled with filter media. The dual purpose of the media is to support highly active biomass that is attached to it and to filter suspended solids.
Biological barrier

Biological barrier

Definition

In the context of groundwater contamination remediation, it is an area where soil amendments have been injected or placed into the aquifer creating a flow-through bio active zone or barrier. These amendments could include nutrients, biological cultures and other supplements to foster biological degradation of the target contaminants dissolved in the groundwater flowing through the zone or barrier.
Biomass

Biomass

Definition

Total mass of all living material in a specific area, habitat or region.
Biome

Biome

Definition

A community of plants or animals extending over a large natural area.
Bioremediation

Bioremediation

Definition

Removal of organic contamination utilising naturally occurring or specifically engineered or introduced bacteria.
Biota

Biota

Definition

Any living organisms (flora and fauna).
BIP
BIP containment line

BIP containment line

Definition

Groundwater containment line comprising a line of extraction wells installed near the western boundary of Botany Industrial Park (BIP), NSW, Australia.

Related Terms

See also: Botany Industrial Park (BIP)
Bore

Bore

Definition

A narrow, usually vertical hole drilled in soil/rock. Often bores may have wells installed in them to monitor or withdraw groundwater from an aquifer.

Related Terms

See also: Aquifer
Botany Industrial Park (BIP)

Botany Industrial Park (BIP)

Definition

The Botany Industrial Park (BIP) is situated in Sydney, NSW, Australia. It is occupied by three companies, Orica, Qenos and Huntsman, that have manufacturing facilities or operations onsite.
BP
Brine solution

Brine solution

Definition

Dissolved at Orica Botany and used for production of chlorine and hydrogen.
Bund (bunded area)

Bund (bunded area)

Definition

A structure consisting of an impervious base and walls designed to contain spillage/leakage from stored liquid materials, typically installed around storage tanks.

Related Terms

See also: Impervious
Bundle piezometer

Bundle piezometer

Definition

A piezometer is a well with a short-slotted screen for measuring a potentiometric surface or elevation of the water table. Also used for collecting groundwater samples at a discrete depth. Piezometers are often installed in a bundle with wells installed at incremental depths.
Byproduct

Byproduct

Definition

Waste or extraneous material that is generated as a consequence of an industrial process.
Calibration

Calibration

Definition

A method to validate specific measurement techniques, equipment or a model by measuring values whose true values are known.
CAP

CAP

Definition

ChlorAlkali plant at Orica Botany
Capillary pressure

Capillary pressure

Definition

Forces acting on soil moisture in the unsaturated zone attributable to molecular attraction between soil particles and water.

Related Terms

See also: Unsaturated zone
Carbon tetrachloride (CTC)

Carbon tetrachloride (CTC)

Definition

Also known as tetrachloromethane. A chlorinated hydrocarbon manufactured at the former solvents plant at the BIP until closure in 1991.
Carcinogen

Carcinogen

Definition

Substance that can cause or aggravate cancer.
Caustic soda (NaOH)

Caustic soda (NaOH)

Definition

Manufactured at Orica Botany and sold for industrial purposes.
CFM
CHAZOP

CHAZOP

Definition

A control hazard and operability study – a technical meeting facilitated with flip cards of key words and phrases to assess the hazards and operational aspects of a proposed automated process control system.
CHC
CHHRA

CHHRA

Definition

Consolidated Human Health Risk Assessment. A report consolidating all of the human health risk assessments first produced for the Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project in 2005 and updated in 2010. Subsequent environmental data is checked against the CHHRA to determine whether a revision of the calculations or the conclusions is required.

Related Terms

See also: Human health risk assessment (HHRA)
Chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC)

Chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC)

Definition

A generic term given to a range of chemical compounds composed of chlorine, hydrogen and carbon. The groundwater below the BIP and nearby areas has been contaminated with CHCs. The main CHC contaminants in the Botany groundwater are EDC, CTC, PCE, TCE and VC.
Chlorine (Cl2)

Chlorine (Cl2)

Definition

Manufactured at Orica Botany and used for production of hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite and ferric chloride.
Chloroform (CFM)

Chloroform (CFM)

Definition

Also known as trichloromethane. A chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC) that historically was generated as a byproduct in the production of other CHCs on the BIP. It can also be generated in the aquifer by the degradation of CTC as well as by the reaction of chlorine derived from the degradation of other volatile CHCs with naturally-occurring organic matter within the aquifer.
Commissioning

Commissioning

Definition

The final stage of the construction phase, comprising a series of tests and adjustments to demonstrate the required performance of equipment prior to handover to the operator.
Conceptual model

Conceptual model

Definition

A model that describes essential features of a phenomenon and identifies its principal processes taking place.
Confined aquifer

Confined aquifer

Definition

An aquifer whose upper and/or lower boundaries are confined by an impermeable geologic information, such as clay layer; an aquifer in which groundwater is under pressure.

Related Terms

See also: Aquifer
Contamination hot spot

Contamination hot spot

Definition

An area where the concentration of contaminant is significantly higher than background levels.
Contour line

Contour line

Definition

A line on a map/figure that traces locations where the value of a variable is the same.
CPRC
CPWE

CPWE

Definition

Car Park Waste Encapsulation. A former polymer-lined cell containing sand and ash contaminated with hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) and associated chlorinated hydrocarbons. The former CPWE was remediated in 2012 using directly-heated thermal desorption (DTD).
CTC
Decommissioning

Decommissioning

Definition

The final stage of a development, involving the ceasing of operations, and the dismantling, removal and disposal of its component parts.
Delineation

Delineation

Definition

To draw or trace the outline/contour of a matter: e.g. in a DNAPL delineation study, investigation outcomes try to depict and draw where DNAPL is located.
Dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL)

Dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL)

Definition

DNAPLs are denser-than-water liquids, such as CHCs, that may exist in the ground as discrete or interconnected droplets or shallow pools on low-permeability layers. These substances are not very soluble in groundwater, so may exist for a long time, slowly dissolving and contaminating passing groundwater.

Related Terms

See also: Chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC), Groundwater
Deposition

Deposition

Definition

The build-up, over time, of particulate material in the air or a liquid as it settles out of the air or that liquid.
Desorption

Desorption

Definition

A process in which a substance is released from or through a solid surface into another medium such as groundwater or air (opposite of sorption).
Diffusion

Diffusion

Definition

The movement of a substance through a solid, liquid or gas from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration.
Dioxins

Dioxins

Definition

Dioxins and furans are halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (compounds with carbons and hydrogen bound in a ring-format that has chlorine atoms attached to it). There are 75 different dioxins and 135 different furans. They are persistent organic pollutants, which can bioaccumulate in the body, potentially leading to cancer.

Related Terms

See also: Persistent organic pollutant (POP)
Directly-heated thermal desorption (DTD)

Directly-heated thermal desorption (DTD)

Definition

The technology used for the remediation of the CPWE. Contaminated soil is heated to high temperatures to volatilise and drive off the contaminants. The treated soil is cooled. The off gases are destroyed in a thermal oxidiser.

Related Terms

See also: CPWE, Off-gas
Dissolution

Dissolution

Definition

A process where a solid or separate-phase liquid substance is dissolved into a solvent to create a solution (e.g., like sugar or honey into a cup of tea).
Dissolved phase mass

Dissolved phase mass

Definition

A mass that is in a dissolved state in a liquid.
DNAPL
DNAPL source area

DNAPL source area

Definition

Area where residual or free phase DNAPL is present.

Related Terms

See also: Dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL)
Drawdown

Drawdown

Definition

A lowering of the water table of an unconfined aquifer or the potentiometric surface of a confined aquifer caused by pumping from wells.

Related Terms

See also: Aquifer
Environment Protection Licence (EPL)

Environment Protection Licence (EPL)

Definition

A regulatory instrument administered by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in NSW, Australia, that permits an organisation/person to discharge, emit, or deposit wastes into the environment subject to a variety of conditions relating to control measures, monitoring, volume, timeline, nature, and composition of waste. It can be varied or revoked. Breaches of licence conditions may result in penalties and prosecutions.
Environmental Assessment (EA)

Environmental Assessment (EA)

Definition

A document prepared for planned works under the NSW EP&A Act. For a major project, an EA addresses key issues raised by the Director-General of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. The Director-General's requirements are specifically tailored in response to work being proposed, outline consultation requirements, and may require a statement of commitments in relation to environmental management and mitigation measures for the proposed project. A simpler EA may occur for smaller development applications determined by the relevant local Council.

Related Terms

See also: EP&A Act
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Definition

A document prepared by an applicant that describes the proposed project, alternatives to the proposal, and measures to be adopted to protect the environment. It is a form of EIA. Under NSW law (EP&A Act), an EIS is prepared for certain categories of projects that are likely to significantly affect the environment.
EP&A Act

EP&A Act

Definition

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (NSW, Australia) 1979
EPBC Act

EPBC Act

Definition

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Cth Aust) 1999
ESB

ESB

Definition

Excavated soil building (a component of CPWE Remediation Project).

Related Terms

See also: CPWE
Ethylene dichloride (EDC)

Ethylene dichloride (EDC)

Definition

Also known as 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA). The most common contaminant in the Botany groundwater. A manufactured chemical that is used commonly as a solvent and also used to make vinyl chloride from which one type of common plastic (PVC) is made. Manufacture of EDC at BIP ceased in 1998.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
Ex situ

Ex situ

Definition

External to or separate from a location.
Extraction pump

Extraction pump

Definition

Pump associated with a groundwater extraction well system.

Related Terms

See also: Extraction well, Groundwater
Extraction well

Extraction well

Definition

A well installed in an aquifer to extract groundwater.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
FeCl2

FeCl2

Definition

Ferrous chloride.
FeCl3

FeCl3

Definition

Ferric chloride.
Ferric chloride (FeCl3)

Ferric chloride (FeCl3)

Definition

Manufactured at Orica Botany and sold for industrial purposes.
Fill

Fill

Definition

Material used to level off a low-lying or uneven land surface.
Flocculation

Flocculation

Definition

A process in which fine particles are separated from a liquid by causing them to clump together into flakes, or flocs.
Former ChlorAlkali Plant (FCAP)

Former ChlorAlkali Plant (FCAP)

Definition

Demolished in late 2006, this plant was one of the original plants in BIP that produced chlorine gas, caustic soda and hydrogen gas from common salt using mercury cell technology. The new ChlorAlkali Plant uses cleaner membrane cell technology.

Related Terms

See also: Botany Industrial Park (BIP)
GCP

GCP

Definition

Groundwater Cleanup Plan.
Geology

Geology

Definition

The study of the earth, including its composition, structure, physical properties and history.
Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC)

Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC)

Definition

Charcoal-like material used to adsorb contaminants from an aqueous or vapour phase. GAC is one of the groundwater treatment methods used at the GTP.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater, GTP
Groundwater

Groundwater

Definition

Groundwater is the general term for water in the ground. Underground water bodies are known as aquifers. The Botany Sands Aquifer flows slowly from Centennial Park to Botany Bay.
Groundwater Extraction Exclusion Area (GEEA)

Groundwater Extraction Exclusion Area (GEEA)

Definition

Also known as Zone 1 of Botany Sands Aquifer Management Area as set out by the NSW Office of Water. Further information about GEEA.
Groundwater Extraction Exclusion Area (GEEA)

Groundwater Extraction Exclusion Area (GEEA)

Definition

Also known as Zone 1 of the Botany Sands Aquifer Management Area as set out by the NSW Office of Water. Further information about GEEA.
Groundwater Injection and Recovery System (GIRS)

Groundwater Injection and Recovery System (GIRS)

Definition

A system installed on the BIP that be used in the unlikely event that the Groundwater Treatment Plant can not operate for an extended period (e.g. three months or more). It entails re-injection of groundwater extracted from secondary containment area in to the aquifer up hydraulic gradient of the BIP extraction line to ensure later recovery of the injected water.

Related Terms

See also: Aquifer, BIP containment line, Groundwater, GTP, Secondary Containment Area (SCA)
Groundwater recharge

Groundwater recharge

Definition

The rate at which infiltrated water (e.g. from rain, irrigation and ponds) reaches the underground water table.
GTP
HAZOP

HAZOP

Definition

A hazard and operability study – a technical meeting facilitated with flip cards of key words and phrases to assess the hazards and functional aspects of a proposed operating system.

Related Terms

See also: CHAZOP
HCB
HCBD
HCl

HCl

Definition

Hydrochloric acid. Manufactured at Botany and sold for industrial purposes.
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)

Definition

A byproduct from manufacture of CTC and PCE at the former Solvents Plant. This waste is stored on BIP in licensed storage depots whilst a destruction solution is identified.
Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)

Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)

Definition

The main contaminant of a volume of soil encapsulated under a carpark in north-eastern BIP . Orica proposes to remediate HCBD contaminated soil by building a treatment facility on site.

Related Terms

See also: BIP
HHRA
Human health risk assessment (HHRA)

Human health risk assessment (HHRA)

Definition

A formal method of reviewing population groups, their potential exposure to chemicals of concerns, and the potential health impacts of those chemicals. The calculated risks are the product of probability and consequence of health impacts, and are compared with target levels of risk to evaluate whether further action is required.
Hydraulic containment

Hydraulic containment

Definition

Measures taken to lower the potentiometric surface and/or water table and to effect hydraulic capture of the contaminant plume. The use of a line of extraction wells pumping water out of the ground to form an effective barrier. This stops the groundwater - and the dissolved phase contaminants - moving past the barrier and thus contains the plume.
Hydraulic gradient

Hydraulic gradient

Definition

The difference in water pressures at two or more points. The difference causes water to flow from high to low pressure points.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Definition

Manufactured at Orica Botany and sold for industrial purposes.
Hydrogen (H2)

Hydrogen (H2)

Definition

Manufactured at Orica Botany and used for production of hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology

Definition

Scientific considerations relating to geological formations, soil, surface water, and especially groundwater.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
Hydrographs

Hydrographs

Definition

Graphs that show the change of water levels or potentiometric surfaces over time.

Related Terms

See also: Potentiometric surface
Hydrology

Hydrology

Definition

The study of the behaviour of water in the atmosphere, on the surface of earth, and underground.
ICI

ICI

Definition

Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI Australia is now Orica).
IMC

IMC

Definition

Independent Monitoring Committee. A Committee of independent experts established to provide community advice for the Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project.
Impermeable layer

Impermeable layer

Definition

A layer of rock, sediment or soil that does not allow water to pass through (e.g. in an aquifer).

Related Terms

See also: Aquifer
Impervious

Impervious

Definition

Not permitting penetration or passage; impenetrable.
In situ

In situ

Definition

Within the location; onsite.
Infiltration

Infiltration

Definition

The process of water entering the soil.
Littoral zone

Littoral zone

Definition

A specific sea floor zone that lies between high and low tide levels.
Local environmental plan (LEP)

Local environmental plan (LEP)

Definition

An environmental planning instrument prepared by local council to guide land use and development at local government level. The LEP indicates what kind of activities are permitted or restricted in a particular zoning land.
LOPA

LOPA

Definition

Layer of protection analysis.
mg/L

mg/L

Definition

Milligram per litre (also known as parts per million or ppm) – a measure of concentration.
MHF

MHF

Definition

Major hazard facility.
Microorganism

Microorganism

Definition

An organism that is too small to be seen by the unaided human eye (e.g., bacteria, fungi).
NaCl

NaCl

Definition

Sodium chloride, also known as salt.
Nanoscale

Nanoscale

Definition

Describes a particle or item that is less than a thousandth of a millimetre in size.
OCS
Octachlorostyrene (OCS)

Octachlorostyrene (OCS)

Definition

A byproduct from manufacture of CTC and PCE at the former Solvents Plant at BIP.
Off-gas

Off-gas

Definition

In the Botany Treatment Plant it refers to the gas containing volatile organic compounds generated by the air-stripping process, which is then treated in the thermal oxidiser.

Related Terms

See also: GTP, Thermal oxidation (TO)
Oxidation

Oxidation

Definition

The loss of one or more electrons by an atom, molecule or ion. This changes the physical and chemical characteristics of the atom, molecule or ion.
PCA
PCE
Peat

Peat

Definition

An organic material found in marshy or damp regions, composed of partially decayed vegetable matter. Peat forms part of the soil profile at Botany.
Penrhyn Estuary

Penrhyn Estuary

Definition

The man-made estuary located in Botany/Banksmeadow on Botany Bay, adjacent to Port Botany. Its tributaries are two stormwater drains, Floodvale Drain and Springvale Drain, that run through industrial estates in the area. The estuary was created in the 1970s following land reclamation works for Brotherson Docks at Port Botany.
Perchloroethylene (PCE)

Perchloroethylene (PCE)

Definition

Also known as tetrachloroethene - dry cleaning fluid. A chlorinated hydrocarbon manufactured at the former Solvents Plant at the BIP until closure in 1991.

Related Terms

See also: Chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC)
Percolate

Percolate

Definition

To cause a matter (often water) to pass through a porous material or small holes.
Permeability

Permeability

Definition

Rate at which fluid can be transmitted through a porous medium.
Persistent chemical

Persistent chemical

Definition

A chemical which doesn't break down in the environment into less harmful substances.
Persistent organic pollutant (POP)

Persistent organic pollutant (POP)

Definition

Carbon-based or organic compounds that include synthesised substances (e.g. pesticides and PCBs) and by-products generated as a result of both human and natural activity (e.g. dioxins and furan, and hexachlorobenzene [HCB]). POPs are characteristically toxic, environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative in fatty tissues, and semi-volatile. To address global concerns about POPs, an international convention, the Stockholm Convention, was established to reduce/eliminate their production, use, and/or release under the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UNEP acts as the secretariat body for the convention.

Related Terms

See also: Dioxins, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
pH

pH

Definition

A measure of how acidic or basic a liquid is. The pH scale starts at 1 and ends at 14. A pH of 1 indicates a very acidic solution (e.g., Coca Cola has a pH of around 2). A pH of 14 indicates something that is very alkaline (e.g. liquid caustic soda and bicarbonate of soda are also examples of alkaline materials).
Piezometer

Piezometer

Definition

A well with a short slotted screen for measuring a potentiometric surface or elevation of the water table. Also used for collecting groundwater samples at a discrete depth.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater, Potentiometric surface
Plume

Plume

Definition

In the groundwater context it is a mass of contaminated water extending outward from the source of the contamination, (similar to plume of smoke being emitted to air from a smoke stack).

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
POP
Pore

Pore

Definition

A space in soil not filled by solid particles, but with air or water.
Potentiometric surface

Potentiometric surface

Definition

An imaginary surface representing the total head/pressure of groundwater and defined by the level to which water will rise in a well.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
ppm

ppm

Definition

Parts per million – a measure of concentration.
Precipitation

Precipitation

Definition

A process where a dissolved substance is converted into insoluble form by chemical reaction to separate it from a solution. In a meteorological sense it is also used to describe rain, hail, snow, sleet, etc.
Primary Containment Area (PCA)

Primary Containment Area (PCA)

Definition

The groundwater containment area located on Orica property at McPherson Street, Banksmeadow.
Pump and treat

Pump and treat

Definition

Remediation process where groundwater is pumped to the surface and treated to remove contamination.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
Quenching

Quenching

Definition

In the context of the thermal oxidiser (at the Botany GTP), the rapid reduction in the temperature of the combustion gases exiting the thermal oxidiser by spraying them with large quantities of liquid. The cooling primarily occurs through the evaporation of the liquid.

Related Terms

See also: GTP, Thermal oxidation (TO)
RAP
Reactive iron barrier

Reactive iron barrier

Definition

A remediation process used to break down chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC) in the groundwater . The flow-through barrier is created by backfilling a trench excavated into the aquifer with granules of iron or by injecting very small iron particles (typically in a paste or solution) into the aquifer through a line of injection wells. The barrier is constructed perpendicular (at 90º angles) to the groundwater flow direction, so the groundwater must flow through the barrier. As this happens the contaminants in the groundwater react with the iron and are destroyed.
Recharge

Recharge

Definition

The addition of water to an aquifer by a natural process such as addition of water at the ground surface, or by an artificial system such as addition through a well.

Related Terms

See also: Aquifer
Remediation Action Plan (RAP)

Remediation Action Plan (RAP)

Definition

A formal document that describes the contamination of a site and the means in which it is planned for that contamination to be treated or managed, and the means in which the remedial work will be validated to ensure the treatment goals are achieved.
Residue

Residue

Definition

Material that remains in the spaces between soil particles (pore spaces) or attached to the surface of the soil particles.
Reverse osmosis (RO)

Reverse osmosis (RO)

Definition

A process for the removal of dissolved ions from water in which pressure is used to force the water through a semi-permeable membrane which will transmit the water but filter our most other dissolved materials. RO is one of the water treatment processes used in the Botany GTP.

Related Terms

See also: GTP
Risk assessment

Risk assessment

Definition

An evaluation of risk which estimates the relationship between exposure to a harmful substance and the likelihood that harm will result from that exposure. Risk assessments are generally expressed as the estimated chance per million that a person, exposed over some period of time (e.g. a 70 year lifetime) and some specified concentration of exposure, will experience a certain effect.
RO
Runoff

Runoff

Definition

Water that moves over the land surface/ground (e.g. streams, channels) that does not evaporate or infiltrate.
Saltwater intrusion

Saltwater intrusion

Definition

The inland movement of saltwater into an aquifer (e.g., driven by extraction of fresh groundwater).

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
Saturated zone

Saturated zone

Definition

The area beneath the underground water table through which groundwater flows.
Secondary Containment Area (SCA)

Secondary Containment Area (SCA)

Definition

The groundwater containment area southwest (down hydraulic gradient) of the PCA and up hydraulic gradient of Penrhyn Estuary and Botany Bay. The NCUA requires Orica is required to intercept and contain contaminant plumes that may have migrated or may migrate beyond the PCA. Groundwater is captured in a row of extraction wells along the median strip of Foreshore Road (for about 700 m west of the intersection with Botany Road).
Separate-phase liquid

Separate-phase liquid

Definition

A liquid that does not dissolve or mix easily in water, forming a separate phase or layer in the water (e.g. oil in water).
Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)

Definition

Manufactured at Orica Botany and sold for use as bleach, and swimming pool chlorine.
Solubility

Solubility

Definition

A physical property of a substance; the ability to dissolve the substance in a liquid solvent.
Solubility limit

Solubility limit

Definition

The solubility limit is the point at which further addition of the substance into the solution no longer dissolves the substance because the solution has reached equilibrium, or saturation.
Solute

Solute

Definition

A substance dissolved in a solvent to make a solution.
Sorbed phase mass

Sorbed phase mass

Definition

A mass that has been incorporated into a material of a different state and adhering to the surface of another substance. In the case of the Botany aquifer, this could include chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) dissolved in groundwater that attach themselves to soil or peat particles as the groundwater flows through the aquifer.
Stack

Stack

Definition

A vertical exhaust pipe; a chimney, smokestack.
Stockholm Convention

Stockholm Convention

Definition

An international convention established to address global concerns about persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It aims to reduce/eliminate production, use, and/or release of key POPs under the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UNEP acts as the secretariat body for the convention. Visit Stockholm Convention website.

Related Terms

See also: Persistent organic pollutant (POP)
Stripped Water Treatment Plant

Stripped Water Treatment Plant

Definition

A section of the Botany GTP that treats the groundwater after the volatile contaminants have been removed by air stripping. It consists of a set of filters, activated carbon absorbers, biological aerated filters and reverse osmosis units.
TCE
'The Grid'

'The Grid'

Definition

Water recycling grid. A NSW government initiative to transport recycled water through a network of pipes across inner city areas and southern Sydney.
Thermal oxidation (TO)

Thermal oxidation (TO)

Definition

Process used to destroy chemicals by reacting them with oxygen (oxidation) at high temperature for sufficient time to complete a reaction to yield carbon dioxide and water, and hydrochloric acid where CHCs are present in the gas stream. (TO forms part of the Botany GTP.)

Related Terms

See also: Chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC), GTP
Time weighted average (TWA)

Time weighted average (TWA)

Definition

This term can be used to assess the exposure to a chemical when both the chemical concentration and time for exposure varies over time. It is usually averaged over eight hours, which is used as the standard daily work shift.
Trichloroethene (TCE)

Trichloroethene (TCE)

Definition

A commonly used degreaser that was manufactured in the former TCE plant at the BIP. The TCE plant shut down in 1973. TCE can also be formed in the aquifer by the degradation of PCE.

Related Terms

See also: Perchloroethylene (PCE)
Unconfined aquifer

Unconfined aquifer

Definition

An aquifer whose upper level can extend to ground surface.

Related Terms

See also: Aquifer
Unsaturated zone

Unsaturated zone

Definition

The area between ground surface and the underground water table, which contains moisture and air.
Vadose zone

Vadose zone

Definition

Unsaturated zone.
Vapour

Vapour

Definition

The gaseous phase of a substance.
VC
Vinyl chloride (VC)

Vinyl chloride (VC)

Definition

Also known as chloroethene and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), it is an intermediate compound manufactured in the former vinyls plant at the BIP that was reacted to make polyvinylchloride (PVC). VC can also be formed in the aquifer by the degradation of PCE and TCE.
Volatile organic compound (VOC)

Volatile organic compound (VOC)

Definition

Organic chemical with sufficiently low vapour pressure to become a gas at room temperature.
Voluntary management proposal (VMP)

Voluntary management proposal (VMP)

Definition

A remediation proposal submitted and approved by the NSW Environment Protection Authority under the Contaminated Land Management Amendement Act 1997.
Water column

Water column

Definition

A hypothetical cylinder of water from the surface of a water body to the bottom and within which physical and chemical properties can be measured.
Water table

Water table

Definition

The top of the saturated zone where unconfined groundwater is under atmospheric pressure.

Related Terms

See also: Groundwater
Zone 1 Botany Sands Aquifer Management Area
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