Glossary

Terms

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).

Related Terms

See also: Extraction well, Groundwater, Primary Containment Area (PCA)

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.

Related Terms

See also: Air stripping (unit), Biological aerated filter (BAF), Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) , GTP, Reverse osmosis (RO)