Lexikon

an extraction technique of solids in which the sample is repeatedly contacted with solvent over several hours, increasing the extraction efficiency. Soxhlet extraction is a purification technique developed by Franz von Soxhlet in 1879. The solid is put into a paper "thimble" which is then placed into the main chamber of the Soxhlet extractor. The solvent is heated to reflux and then travels up the distillation arm and floods into the main chamber with the thimble. The chamber then slowly fills and some of the pure compound will dissolve into the solvent. The chamber is emptied with the help of the side arm and the cycle repeats. See also http://chemistry.hull.ac.uk/labweb/glossary_soxhlet.php#

space debris, also known as orbital debris, space junk and space waste, is the collection of objects in orbit around Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages and defunct satellites to explosion and collision fragments. The debris can include slag and dust from solid rocket motors, surface degradation products such as paint flakes, coolant released by RORSAT nuclear powered satellites, clusters of small needles, and objects released due to the impact of micrometeoroids or fairly small debris onto spacecraft.^[1] As the orbits of these objects often overlap the trajectories of spacecraft, debris is a potential collision risk.

The vast majority of the estimated tens of millions of pieces of space debris are small particles, like paint flakes and solid rocket fuel slag. Impacts of these particles cause erosive damage, similar to sandblasting. The majority of this damage can be mitigated through the use of a technique originally developed to protect spacecraft from micrometeorites, by adding a thin layer of metal foil outside of the main spacecraft body. Impacts take place at such high velocities that the debris is vaporized when it collides with the foil, and the resulting plasma spreads out quickly enough that it does not cause serious damage to the inner wall. However, not all parts of a spacecraft may be protected in this manner, i.e. solar panels and optical devices (such as telescopes, or star trackers), and these components are subject to constant wear by debris and micrometeorites.

The present means for spacecraft shielding, such as those used for the manned modules of the International Space Station, are only capable of protecting against debris with diameters below about 1 centimetre (0.39 in). The only remaining means of protection would be to maneuver the spacecraft in order to avoid a collision. This, however, requires that the orbit of the respective object be precisely known. The current equipment used to gather such information is only capable of tracking objects down to about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) diameter in low Earth orbit, and about 50 centimetres (20 in) in geosynchronous orbit. Out of the estimated 600,000 objects^[1] above 1 centimetre (0.39 in) diameter, only 19,000 can be tracked as of today. This leads to wide uncertainties in the estimated quantities of debris, and the predicted path of their orbits.

If a collision with larger debris does occur, many of the resulting fragments from the damaged spacecraft will also be in the 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) mass range, and these objects become an additional collision risk. As the chance of collision is a function of the number of objects in space, there is a critical density where the creation of new debris occurs faster than the various natural forces that remove these objects from orbit. Beyond this point a runaway chain reaction can occur that quickly reduces all objects in orbit to debris in a period of years or months. This possibility is known as the "Kessler Syndrome", and there is debate as to whether or not this critical density has already been reached in certain orbital bands.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_debris

species of Community interest means species which, within the territory referred to in Article 2, are:

(i) endangered, except those species whose natural range is marginal in that territory and which are not endangered or vulnerable in the western palearctic region; or

(ii) vulnerable, i.e. believed likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the causal factors continue operating; or

(iii) rare, i.e. with small populations that are not at present endangered or vulnerable, but are at risk. The species are located within restricted geographical areas or are thinly scattered over a more extensive range; or

(iv) endemic and requiring particular attention by reason of the specific nature of their habitat and/or the potential impact of their exploitation on their habitat and/or the potential impact of their exploitation on their conservation status.

Such species are listed or may be listed in Annex II and/or Annex IV or V;

Source: Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31992L0043:EN:html

Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) method is based on statistical extrapolation and aims to determine the predicted no effect concentration of a chemical substance, which does not effect the ecosystem.

If a large data set with No Observed Effects Concentrations, NOECs from long-term experiments for different taxonomic groups is available, these values can be used to draw the distribution curve. This distribution that describes the variability of hazard of a substance to organisms is called a Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD). This distribution can be presented as a frequency distribution (cumulative normal distribution curves or other similar distribution curves) of NOEC values for species. From this curve we can read Xm, the mean toxicity expressed as the mean NOEC value of a substance. The Sm represents the toxicity range or variation in sensitivity of a substance.

The main assumption on the use of SSDs in risk assessment is that the distribution based on a selection of species (tested in laboratory experiments) are representative for all species (in the field).

See also Predicted No Effects Concentration (PNEC).

a starter culture is a microbiological culture which actually performs a biotechnological process (fermentation). These starters usually consist of a cultivation medium, colonized by the microorganisms used in the biotechnology.

in chromatography, the porous solid or liquid phase through which an introduced sample passes. The different affinities the stationary phase has for a sample allow the components in the sample to be separated or resolved.

a branch of mathematics that deals with collecting, reviewing, summarizing, and interpreting data or information. Statistics are used to determine whether differences between study groups are meaningful.

unceasing prolonged noise, without interruption.

unceasing prolonged noise, without interruption. It is a constant noise, when the deviation in the decibel is not more than 5 dB.

steam heating of the soil is one specific method where soil or solid wastes are heated by means of stream and is a category within the umbrella term of “thermally enhanced recovery”. It mens the enhanced recovery of volatile or volatilized contaminants from contaminated soil. I can be applied ex situ or in situ.

Sewage Treatment Plant

Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) adopted on 6 February 2006 in Dubai.

SAICM supports the achievement of the goal agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development of ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

Source: http://www.saicm.org/index.php?ql=h&content=home

a Streckeinsen or QAPF diagram is a double triangle diagram used to classify igneous rock based on mineralogic composition. The diagram is based on the fundamental work of many petrologists which was fully summarised by Strekeisen in 1973 and 1976. The QAPF diagram was completed and recommended by the International Union of Geological Sciences, IUGS. Geologists use it worldwide as a classification of igneous, especially plutonic igneous rocks. The QAPF by acronym, stands for "Quartz, Alkali feldspar, Plagioclase, Feldspathoid (Foid)". The mineral groups used for classification of igneous rocks are the following: Q = Quartz, A = Alkali feldspar, P = Plagioclase, F = Feldspathoid (Foid), M = Mafic (silicate mineral rich in magnesium and iron). Groups Q, A, P, F comprise the felsic minerals. The sum of Q+A+P+F+M must be 100%. However there can never be more than four non-zero values, as the minerals in groups Q and F are mutually exclusive i.e. if Q is present F must be absent and viceversa. The classification is divided into two parts: If mafic minerals (M) are less than 90% (M<90) the rock is classified according to its felsic minerals in the QAPF double triangle diagram. The basic idea of classification is that minerals belonging to the Q and F mineral groups do not occur simultaneously as primary minerals in the same igneous rock, because the SiO2 surplus in the melt reacts with the Feldspathoids resulting feldspars. For this reason maximum three of the Q, A, P, F mineral groups may occur in an igneous rock type. If mafic minerals make up more than 90% of the rock composition (M≥90), it is an ultramafic rock and it is classified according to its mafic minerals. In this case two triangle diagrams are used (olivine–orthopiroxene–clinopyroxene, olivine–pyroxene–amphibole).

a change in chromosome structure detectable by microscopic examination of the metaphase stage of cell division, observed as deletions and fragments, intrachanges or interchanges. This fenomenon used in genotoxicity tests, where the experimental unit is the cell, and therefore the percentage of cells with structural chromosome aberration(s) should be evaluated. Different types of structural chromosome aberrationsshould be listed with their numbers and frequencies for experimental and control cultures.

sound that travels over at least part of its path by means of the vibration of a solid structure.

the area of land from which all surface run-off flows through a series of streams, rivers and, possibly, lakes to a particular point in a water course (normally a lake or a river confluence).

The information required to identify a substance is defined in Annex VI, 2, of REACH, and is reproduced in the table below.

If it is not technically possible, or does not appear scientifically necessary to provide certain information, the reasons should be stated.

If you are involved in a joint registration, it is very important that you have agreed ‘sameness’ of your substances, and the information you each provide here should support this. There is no legal definition of "sameness" but any inconsistencies identified by ECHA or MSCAs that suggest your substances are significantly different could lead to requests for further information, or rejection of registration dossiers.

ECHA Technical Guidance: Guidance for identification and naming of substances under REACH 

Source: http://www.reach-serv.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid=64

A SIEF is a forum, formed after the pre-registration phase, to share data on a given phase-in substance.
The principal aims of a SIEF are to:
i) facilitate data sharing for the purposes of registration
ii) agree on the classification and labelling of the substance where there is a difference of interpretation between the potential registrants. Source: REACH Glossary.

data sharing is one of the core principles in the REACH Regulation. By submitting dossiers jointly and sharing information on substances, companies increase the efficiency of the registration system, reduce costs and avoid unnecessary testing on vertebrate animals.

A potential registrant can choose to request data which does not involve testing on vertebrate animals. However, the potential registrant must request data which involves testing on vertebrate animals.

Indeed, studies involving testing on vertebrate animals have to be shared in any case.

This means that new studies involving vertebrate animals can only be conducted if the data cannot be generated by any other means. This principle is valid for both phase-in and non- phase-in substances.

Source: http://echa.europa.eu/datasharing_en.asp

sub-surface water, is fresh water located in the pore space of soil and rocks. It is also water that is flowing within aquifers below the water table. Sometimes it is useful to make a distinction between sub-surface water that is closely associated with surface water groundwater and deep sub-surface water in an aquifer sometimes called "fossil water".

Subsurface waters are generally polluted from the unsaturated soil layer beyond. Pipelines, underground containers, surface land-uses are the most frequent pollution sources. The contaminants in the subsurface waters may naturally attenuate due to dilution, chemical reactions or biodegradation. As the redoxpotential in the subsurface waters is relative low anoxic or anaerobic conditions, the biodegradation of pollutants is generally low, needs some enhancement by engineering/biotechnological tools to increase efficiency.

remediation technology for contaminated soil and groundwater, an innovative version of pump and treat technology applying a sugar, a cyclodextrin (hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin) for the enhancement of the solubility of organic contaminants. It was developed in the USA and applied with success for remediation of military sites contaminated by e.g. trichloroethylene. Injecting the cyclodextrin solution into the injection wells, the ground water containing the contaminant in enhanced concentration is extracted from the extraction wells and treated by activated carbon or by distillation. The regenerated cyclodextrin solution is re-injected into the ground water. (see MOKKA database sheet No. 183) Further literature: Boving, T.B. and Brusseau, M.L. (2000) Solubilization and removal of residual trichloroethene from porous media: comparison of several solubilization agents. J. Contam. Hydrol., 42(1), 51-67; Boving, T.B., Barnett, S.M., Perez, G., Blanford, W.J. and McCray, J.E. (2007) remediation with cyclodextrin: recovery of the remedial agent by membrane filtration. Remed. J., 17, 21-36.