2008 Site Environmental Report for Pantex Plant

2008 Site Environmental Report for Pantex Plant
and remediation of Solid Waste Management
Units.
Environmental Surveillance - The collection and
analysis of samples, or direct measurements of air,
water, soil, foodstuff, and other media for the
purpose of determining compliance with
applicable standards and permit requirements,
assessing radiation exposures of members of the
public, and assessing the effects, if any, on the
local environment.
Ephemeral - Lasting only a short period of time.
Used in this document to describe water bodies
that often do not have water year round.
Typically, these water bodies have water
following the wet seasons and then are dry during
the dry seasons.
Evapotranspiration - The sum of evaporation,
the process by which water passes from the liquid
to the vapor state, and transpiration, the process by
which plants give off water vapor through their
leaves.
Fauna - Animal life, or animals as a whole,
especially those that are characteristic of a region.
Fecal coliform bacteria - Simple organisms
associated with the intestine of warm-blooded
animals that are commonly used to indicate the
presence of fecal material and the potential
presence of organisms capable of causing human
disease.
Flora - Plant life or plants as a whole, especially
those that are characteristic of a region.
Gamma ray (gamma radiation) – High-energy,
short wavelength electromagnetic radiation (a
packet of energy) emitted from the nucleus.
(Gamma radiation frequently accompanies alpha
and beta emissions and always accompanies
fission.) Gamma rays are very penetrating and can
be stopped or shielded against by dense materials
such as lead or uranium. Gamma rays are similar
to X-rays, but are usually more energetic.
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Grab sample - A single sample, collected at one
time and place.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome - The
hantavirus is found in saliva, urine, or feces of
various rodent species and is transmitted to
humans by inhalation. It causes rapidly
progressive pulmonary symptoms that result in
serious illness. Human-to-human transmission has
not been demonstrated.
Hazardous material - A material, including a
hazardous substance, as defined by 49 CFR 171.8
that poses a risk to health, safety, and property
when handled or transported.
Hazardous waste - Defined by 40 CFR Part 261,
as any material that a) is a solid waste, and b) is a
listed hazardous waste (Subpart D), or c) exhibits
any of the characteristics of ignitibility,
corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity (Subpart C).
Hemoglobin - A protein found in red blood cells
that transports oxygen.
Herpesvirus - Any virus belonging to the family
Herpesviridae. It is basically a wildlife disease,
and offers possible implications to research on
human viruses.
Herbicide - A substance (usually chemical) used
to destroy undesirable plants.
Herpetofauna - Reptiles (snakes, turtles, lizards,
etc.) and amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders).
High explosives (HE) - Any chemical compound
or mechanical mixture which, when subjected to
heat, impact, friction, shock, or other suitable
initiation stimulus undergoes a very rapid
chemical change with the evolution of large
volumes of highly heated gases that exert pressure
in the surrounding medium.
Histopathology - The science or study of dealing
with the structure of abnormal or diseased tissue;
examination of the tissue changes that accompany
a disease.