Reactive waste (Environmental Engineering) A waste which; 1) reacts violently with water, 2) forms potentially explosive mixtures with water, 3) is normally unstable, 4) contains cyanide or sulfide in sufficient quantity to evolve toxic fumes at high or low pH, 5) is capable of exploding if heated under pressure, or 6) is an explosive compound listed in Department of Transportation (DoT) regulations. One of EPA's four hazardous waste properties.
Secured landfill (Environmental Engineering) A landfill which has containment measures such as liners and a leachate collection system so that materials placed in the landfill will not migrate into the surrounding soil, air and water.
Shock load (Environmental Engineering) Influent wastewater entering the plant which has an unusually high organic content and/or high flow rate.
Surface water (Environmental Engineering) Water which is contained in lakes, rivers, and oceans.
Thiols (Environmental Engineering) Organic compounds which contain the "-SH" functional group. Also called mercaptans.
Total solids (Environmental Engineering) (TS) is the amount of organic and inorganic matter which is contained in a water.
Toxicity (Environmental Engineering) A U.S. EPA hazardous waste characteristic defined with a rigorous test procedure, the TCLP (for Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure). In the procedure, a waste is extracted for 24 hours with an acetic acid solution. The acid extract is then analyzed for the presence of any of the contaminants listed in the procedure.
Trace contaminants (Environmental Engineering) Contamination found in trace (very low) levels.
Troposphere (Environmental Engineering) The lower atmosphere, from the earth's surface to approximately 12 km. This portion of the earth's atmosphere contains about 95 percent of the atmospheric gases. The temperature gradually declines through this region.
Wastewater (Environmental Engineering) Consumed or used water from a municipality or industry that contains dissolved and/or suspended matter.
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