ACNCG
Acronym for the Altona Complex Neighbourhood Consultative Group, a group formed in 1989 comprising the Altona Chemical Complex companies, residents, EPA, WorkCover, and Hobsons Bay City Council to facilitate communication on health, safety and environmental issues.

Anion
An ion having a negative charge.

Aquifer
A zone of rock or soil which is saturated with water and through which water can easily move. An aquifer is created when all the cracks and voids in soil and rock are filled with water.

- B -

Basalt rock
A dark, fine-grained, volcanic rock with a low silica content and generally rich in iron, magnesium, and calcium, produced when hot molten rock (magma) exits and cools outside of, or very near, the Earth's surface. It is the most abundant volcanic rock in the Earth’s crust; most of the ocean floor is made up of basalt.

Benzene
Aromatic compound found in gasoline, also an indicator of light-hydrocarbon contamination.

- C -

Cation
An ion having a positive charge (usually metals).

Chlorinated hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon compound containing one or more chlorine atoms. VCM and EDC are both chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Cl
Symbol for the ionic form of chlorine.

Contamination
A change in water quality that produces a noticable or measurable change in its characteristics.

Cr
Symbol for the metal, chromium.

Cu
Symbol for the metal, copper.

 

 

- D -

Dissolved oxygen
The amount of oxygen freely available in water.

- E -

EDC
An acronym for ethylene dichloride (or more correctly, 1,2-dichloroethane), a chemical used as an intermediate in various processes, including VCM manufacturing. EDC is heavier than water and leaches readily through soil.

Electrical conductivity
Estimate of the amount of total dissolved salts, or the total amount of dissolved ions in water.

Ethyl-benzene
Aromatic compound found in gasoline, also an indicator of light-hydrocarbon contamination.

- G -

Groundwater
Any water contained below the earth's surface. It includes moisture contained inside soil and rock, and water accumulating in gaps between soil particles and in cracks in the rock

- H -

Hg
Symbol for the metal, mercury.

Hot-spots
Areas of very high contamination.

- I -

ion
An atom, molecule or radical that has lost or gained one or more electrons and has thus acquired an electric charge.

- M -

Mg
Symbol for the metal, magnesium.

mg/kg or mg/L
Total amount in milligrams of solid material either mixed into another solid (eg. soil) or dissolved in another liquid (eg. groundwater). One mg/kg or one mg/L is equivalent to one part per million.

Microbes
Living organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye; including bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and microscopic algae; also includes viruses.

Mo
Symbol for the metal, molybdenum.

Monitoring
Process of sampling and measuring certain environmental parameters on a real-time basis for spatial and time variations.

- N -

Natural degredation
Process by which chemical compounds are transformed into new resources by microbes.

Ni
Symbol for the metal, nickel.

- O -

Oxidised
Process by which harmful compounds are reconfigured into CO₂ and H₂O

- P -

PACIA
Abbreviated title of the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association, Australian industry's peak body for companies manufacturing, importing and distributing plastics and chemicals.

Pb
Symbol for the metal, lead.

Petroleum compounds
By-products of the refining of crude oil, usually divided into groups according to boiling point. Low boiling, or light petroleum distillates, are highly volatile mixtures of hydrocarbons used as copier fluid, and as solvents. Medium boiling petroleum distillates are sometimes known as mineral spirits, and are used as paint thinners, and as solvents for insecticides and other products. High boiling or heavy petroleum distillates are combustible liquids such as kerosene and diesel fuel.

pH
A numerical measure of acidity, or hydrogen ion activity, used to express acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 7.0 is neutral, values below 7.0 are acid, and above 7.0 are alkaline.

Phenolics
Compounds with a distinct odour, used in disinfectants, deodorizers, paints, and as anaesthetic for skin.

Plume
Area of groundwater in which contaminants are moving with the general flow of groundwater.

PVC
Acronym for polyvinyl chloride, a plastic made from many molecules of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). It is a plastic made from many molecules of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). PVC is manufactured into a range of products including cling-wrap film, computer housings, garden hose, pressure pipes, cosmetic jars and floor coverings.

- R -

Responsible care
An initiative of the chemical industry to improve the health, safety and environmental performance of its operations and to increase community involvement and awareness of the industry.

Redox potential
A measurement of water purity and of a system's ability to break down organic compounds.

- S -

Soil & Groundwater Review Group
A group of local residents and other interested parties, EPA officers and Altona Properties employees formed by Altona Properties to review the company's plans and activities concerning the soil and groundwater contamination problems at its Altona Plant.

- T -

Tar residues
Heavy tar-like chlorinated and non-chlorinated hydrocarbons produced during the conversion of EDC to VCM.

Tar storage area
Area at Altona site where tar residues from the plant which converted EDC to VCM were stored

Toluene
Aromatic compound found in gasoline, also an indicator of light-hydrocarbon contamination.

Total dissolved solids
The total amount in milligrams of solid material dissolved in one litre of water (mg/L).

- V -

VCM
An acronym for vinyl chloride monomer, molecules of which are polymerised to form PVC. At normal temperatures it is a clear, flammable gas. When polymerised, VCM molecules join together to form PVC.

Volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon
A chlorinated hydrocarbon that readily evaporates on exposure to the atmosphere. Both EDC and VCM are volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons.

- X -

Xylene
Aromatic compound found in gasoline, also an indicator of light-hydrocarbon contamination.

- Z -

Zn
Symbol for the metal, zinc.

Altona Properties Pty Ltd.
Copyright © 2002 Altona Properties, except where indicated.
URL: www.altonagroundwater.info
last modified:07-05-2007 | next update due August 2007
Send comments or suggestions to Shane Dennis, info@altonagroundwater.info