Water Quality and Groundwater Contamination Flashcards
Adsorption
The attraction and adhesion of ions or molecules in solution onto the surface of a solid
Advection
The process by which solutes are transported by flowing groundwater
Diffusion
The process of movement of solutes from areas of higher concentrations to areas of lower concentrations
Dispersion
The spreading and mixing of a solute in groundwater because water containing the solute is traveling at a different velocity than the groundwater. The result is a dilution of the solute at the advancing edge of the flow
Effluent
Liquid waste discharge to the environment from a treatment or manufacturing facility. It could be untreated, partially treated, or completely treated
Equivalent Weight
The formula atomic weight of a dissolved inimical species divided by the electrical charge
Hardness
A property of water in which evaporation produces a scale and in combination with soap produces an insoluble residue. Hardness is caused principally by the pretense of calcium and magnesium ions although other ions may be present like manganese and iron
Hardpan
A hard, impervious near-surface soil layer, usually in clayey soils, formed by cement action from precipitation of insoluble materials such as silica, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, and organic matter
Infiltration
The downward flow of water from the surface into and through soils and porous rock
Leachate
Water that has percolated through solid waste and has accumulated a high amount of dissolved solids
MCL (maximum contaminate level)
The maximum level of contaminants permitted in water which enters the distribution system of a public water system. MCLs are enforceable standards and are based on health risks
Milliequivalent Per Liter
A measure of the chemical equivalence of the concentration of all solutes present in solution. The units are obtained by dividing the concentration (in mg/l) bu the equivalent weight
ppb (parts per billion)
A measure of the solute concentration in a solution that represents mass of the solute per total mass of the solution x 10^-9. One ppb is equivalent to 1 microgram (10^-6 gram) of solute per liter (ug/l)
ppm (parts per million)
A measure of the solute concentration in a solution that represents mass of the solute per total mass of the solution x 10^-6. One ppm has 1 gram of substance for every million grams of solution. Because the density of water is 1 gram per ml, and there is a very small amount of solute, the density of a solution at this low concentration is approximately 1 gram per ml. Therefore, the density of a 1 ppm solution is appropriate to 1 milligram per liter (mg/l)
PicoCuries per liter (pCi/l)
A unit of radioactive decay rate; the quantity of radioactive material producing 2.22 nuclear transformations per minute.
