Navy Human Health Risk Assessment Web Site

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Glossary

Select a letter from the list below to view other definitions.

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V W

Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP)
Defines what data are to be sought, why the data are needed, where are how the data will be collected, and how the data will be analyzed and interpreted. It also specifies the DQOs and quality assurance plan for the study indicating the levels of precision and accuracy that are expected in data collection and analysis, and describes how the expected precision and accuracy will be maintained.

Scientific/Management Decision Points (SMDPs)
A point during the risk assessment process when the risk assessor communicates results of the assessment at that stage to a risk manager. At this point the risk manager determines whether the information is sufficient to arrive at a decision regarding risk management strategies and/or the need for additional information to characterize risk (EPA 1997).

Screening Ecotoxicity Values (SEVs)
Represent a no-observed-adverse-effect-level for long-term (chronic) exposure to a contaminant (EPA 1997).

Screening Evaluation
An initial evaluation of a site to determine if an ecological risk assessment is required for the site.

Screening Risk Assessment (SRA)
Preliminary risk assessment that can be conducted with limited data by assuming values for which data are lacking. Assumed values should be biased in the direction of overestimating risks (EPA 1997). The results of the SRA should indicate which contaminants can be eliminated from further consideration and which ones should be evaluated further.

Sediment Transport
Movement of soils, risk material, and plant debris by water.

Services
The physical and biological functions performed by a natural resource for the benefit of another natural resource or the public.

Site Inspection (SI)
A technical phase of the Superfund process, following the PA, during which EPA gathers information (including sampling data) from a site that is needed to score the site using the hazard ranking system to determine whether the site should be placed on the NPL (EPA 1999).

Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU)
A component of contiguous land, structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on land used for treating, storing, or disposing of solid wastes (e.g., landfill or impoundment).

Source Control
Control of the release rate of hazardous agents from a facility or activity (ORNL 1999).

Species Diversity Index
A mathematical expression of the species of plants and animals that live in particular community; a wide variety of such indices have been developed for use in evaluating ecological communities.

Statement of Work (SOW)
A written description of the scope of work to be conducted for the ecological risk assessment. The SOW should clearly state the which studies are needed for the assessment; why, when, and where they will be conducted, what data will be collected; how the data will be collected handled, and analyzed; what reports will be produced; and an associated timeline.

Stressor
Any physical, chemical, or biological entity that can induce an adverse response. Only chemical and physical stressors are subject to risk management decisions at Superfund sites (EPA 1997).

Subchronic
Of intermediate duration, usually used to describe studies or levels of exposure between 5 and 90 days (ORNL 1999a).

Superfund
See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
Enacted in 1986 to revise and extend CERCLA. SARA and CERCLA framed the program to carry out the EPA solid waste emergency and long-term removal/remediation activities (ORNL 1999a).

Surface Runoff
Precipitation, snow melt, or irrigation in excess of what can infiltrate the soil surface or be stored in small surface depressions. Surface runoff is a major transporter of nonpoint sources of contaminants (ORNL 1999a).

Last Modified: 02/27/2003

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