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Diaphragm Strut
The element of a diaphragm parallel to the ap-
plied load that collects and transfers diaphragm
shear to vertical resisting elements or distributes
loads within the diaphragm. Such members may
take axial tension or compression.
Diapositive
A positive photograph on a transparent medium.
Diatom
A species descriptor that refers to minute unicel-
lular or colonial (living in colonies) algae having
siliceous cell walls consisting of two overlapping
symmetrical parts.
Diatomaceous Earth (Diatomite)
A chalklike material (fossilized diatoms) used to
filter out a solid waste in wastewater treatment
plants, also used as an active ingredient in some
powdered pesticides.
Diatomaceous Earth Filtration
A process resulting in substantial particulate re-
moval in which a) a precoat cake of diatoma-
ceous earth filter media is deposited on a support
membrane (septum); and b) while the water is
filtered by passing through the cake on the sep-
tum, additional filter media known as body food
is continuously added to the feed water to main-
tain permeability.
Diazinon
An insecticide. In 1986, EPA banned its use on
open areas such as sod farms and golf courses
because it posed a danger to migratory birds who
gathered on them in large numbers. The ban did
not apply to its use in agriculture, or on lawns of
homes and commercial establishments.
Dichasium
A species descriptor that refers to a flat-topped
flower cluster having two lateral stems branching
from the main axis.
Dichromatize
A species descriptor that means to become di-
vided into parts or branches.
Dicofol
A pesticide used on citrus fruits.
Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
A reference published by the U.S. Employment
Service, that alphabetically lists and defines over
20,000 job categories. It is the most referred to
reference of its kind, and is used extensively by
government agencies.
Dielectric Materials
Materials that do not conduct direct electrical cur-
rent. Dielectric coatings are used to electrically
isolate UST (Underground Storage Tank) systems
from the surrounding soils. Dielectric bushings
are used to electrically isolate portions of the UST
system (e.g., tank from piping).
Diesel Oil
The oil fraction left after petroleum and kerosene
have been distilled from crude oil.
Differential Cost Benefit Analysis (DCBA)
A procedure for optimization of radiation protec-
tion used to determine the point at which expo-
sures have been decreased so far that any further
decrease is considered less important than the ad-
ditional necessary effort required to achieve it.
Differential Pressure
The difference in pressure between two points of
a system, such as between the inlet and outlet of a
pump.
Differential Settlement
Nonuniform settlement of land or the uneven
lowering of it. A principal cause of damage and
casualties resulting from earthquakes.
Differentiation
The process by which single cells grow into par-
ticular forms of specialized tissue, e.g., root, stem,
leaf.
Diffraction Loading
The total force that is exerted on the sides of a
structure by the advancing shock front of a nu-
clear explosion.
Diffuse Reflection
Reflection that takes place when different parts of
a beam incident on a surface are reflected over a
wide range of angles in accordance with Lam-
bert's Law. The intensity will fall off as the in-
verse of the square of the distance away from the
surface and also obey a Cosine Law of reflection.
Diffused-Air Aeration
Aeration produced in a liquid by air passing
through a diffuser.
Diffused Air Process
A type of aeration that forces oxygen into sewage
by pumping air through perforated pipes inside a
holding tank and bubbling through the sewage.
Diffuser
A porous plate, tube, or other device through
which air is forced and divided into minute bub-
bles for diffusion in liquids. Commonly made of
carborundum, alundum, metal, or plastic.
Diffuser Plate
A porous plate used in aeration tanks to diffuse air
or other gases in various water and wastewater
treatment processes. See Diffuser.
Diffuser Thbe
An air tube used in aeration tanks to diffuse air or
other gases in various water and wastewater treat-
ment processes. See Diffuser.
Diffusion
Movement of a chemical substance from areas of
high concentration to areas of low concentration.
Biologically, diffusion is an important means for
toxicant deposition for gases and very small parti-
cles in the pulmonary region of the lungs.
Diffusion Coefficient
See Molecular Diffusion.
Diffusivity
In soil and water, the hydraulic conductivity di-
vided by the differential water capacity, or the
flux of water per unit gradient of moisture con-
tent, when other force fields are not present.
Digester
1) A tank in which sludge is placed to permit
digestion to occur. 2) In wastewater treatment, a
closed tank; in solid waste conversion, a unit in
which bacterial action is induced and accelerated
in order to break down organic matter and estab-
lish the proper- carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Also
known as sludge digestion tank.
Digestion
1) The biochemical decomposition of organic
matter in sludge, resulting in partial gasification,
liquefaction, and mineralization of pollutants. 2)
The process carried out in a digester.
Digitigrade
A species descriptor that means walking so that
only the toes touch the ground.
DIH
An acronym for Differential in Hours.
Dike
I ) A low wall that can act as a barrier to prevent a
spill from spreading. 2) A concrete, metal, or
compacted earth structure used to confine an acci-
dental spill within an impounding area. 3) An
embankment or ridge of either natural or man-
made materials used to prevent the movement of
liquids, sludges, solids, or other materials.
DIL
See Daily Instruction Logs.
Dilution
1) Disposal of wastewater or treated effluent by
discharging it into a stream or body of water. 2)
The use of water to lower the concentration or
amount of a contaminant.
Dilution Ratio
The relationship between the volume of water in a
stream and the volume of incoming water. It af-
fects the ability of the stream to assimilate waste.
DIMIG
An acronym for Disintegrations per minute per
gram.
Dimorphism
I ) A species descriptor that means the occurrence
of two distinct forms of the same parts, such as
leaves, flowers, or stamens, in a single plant or in
plants of the same kind. 2) In zoology, differing
characteristics between male and female.
Dinocap
A fungicide used primarily by apple growers to
control summer diseases. In 1986, EPA proposed
restrictions on its use when laboratory tests found
it caused birth defects in rabbits.
Dinoseb
A herbicide that is also used as a fungicide and
insecticide. It was banned by EPA in 1986 be-
cause it posed the risk of birth defects and steril-
ity.
Dioecious
A species descriptor that means having male and
female flowers borne on separate plants.
Dioxins
Any of a family of compounds known chemically
as dibenzo-p-dioxins. Concern about them arises
from their potential toxicity and contamination in
commercial products. Tests on laboratory ani-
mals indicate that they are one of the more toxic
manmade chemicals known.
Dip-Sup
A type of surface faulting, the component of
which is movement or slip that is parallel to the
dip of the fault. The faulting may be normal or
reverse displacement.
Diploid
1) The chromosome state in which each homolo-
gous chromosome is present in pairs. Normal hu-
man somatic (nonreproductive) cells are diploid
(i.e., they have 46 chromosomes), whereas repro-
ductive cells, with 23 chromosomes, are haploid.
2) A species descriptor that means having a ho-
mologous (genetically the same) pair of chromo-
somes for each characteristic except sex.
Diplopia
Double vision.
Direct Absorption Unit
A unit in which the refrigerant evaporator is in
direct contact with the air to be conditioned.
Direct Bioassays
Assessments of radioactive material deposited in
the body by detection of radiation emitted by the
material in the body (in vivo measurement).
Direct Current (DC)
An electric current, such as that produced by a
battery, in which the electrical potential does not
change its sign and the voltage is often invariant
with time. In direct currents, energy is carried by
a continuous, unidirectional flow of electrons
through a conductor.
Direct Discharger
A municipal or industrial facility that introduces
pollution through a defined conveyance or sys-
tem; a point source.
Direct Filtration
A series of processes including coagulation and
filtration but excluding sedimentation resulting in
substantial particulate removal.
Direct Precipitation
The water that falls directly into a lake or stream
without passing through any land phase of the
runoff cycle.
Direct Service Contract
A contract, wherein the contractor agrees to pro-
vide services directly to the public or to persons
who are eligible for programs administered or
supported by a government agency or department.
Directed Energy
An umbrella term covering technologies that re-
late to the production of a beam of concentrated
electromagnetic energy or atomic or subatomic
particles. Also called DE. See Directed-Energy
Device; Directed-Energy Weapon.
Directed-Energy Device
A system using directed energy primarily for a
purpose other than as a weapon. These devices
may produce effects that could allow the device to
be used as a weapon against certain threats, for
example, laser range finders and designators used
against sensors that are sensitive to light.
Directive
1) Generally, any communication that initiates or
governs action, conduct, or procedure. 2) A mili-
tary communication in which policy is estab-
lished or a specific action is ordered. 3) A plan
issued with a view to putting it into effect when
directed, or in the event that a stated contingency
arises.
Directly Ionizing Particles
Charged particles (electrons, protons, alpha parti-
cles, etc.) having sufficient kinetic energy to pro-
duce ionization by collision.
Director of Emergency Operations
The official with responsibility to coordinate the
planning, development, and implementation of an
overall, comprehensive, Emergency Management
System.
Director
The Regional Administrator or the state Director,
or an authorized representative. When there is no
approved state program, and there is an EPA ad-
ministered program, Director means the Regional
Administrator. When there is an approved state
program, Director normally means the state Di-
rector. In some circumstances, however, EPA re-
tains the authority to take certain actions even
when there is an approved state program. In such
cases, the term Director means the Regional Ad-
ministrator and not the state Director. The Direc-
tor of the National Marine Fisheries Service,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion, Department of Commerce, or his/her author-
ized designee.
Disabling Injuries
Injuries that prevent a person from performing
his/her regularly established job for one full day
beyond the day of the accident; also called a lost-
time injury.
Disaffected Person
A person who is alienated or estranged from those
in authority or lacks loyalty to the government; a
state of mind.
Disaster Control
Measures taken before, during, or after hostile
action or natural or manmade disasters to reduce
the probability of damage, minimize its effects,
and initiate recovery. See Area Damage Control;
Damage Control.
Discarded Materials
Solid waste materials that a) are not excluded by
40 CFR Part 261.4(a) or that are not excluded by
variance granted under Parts 260.30 and 260.31;
b) are abandoned; c) are recycled; or d) are con-
sidered inherently wastelike, as explained in 40
CFR Part 261.2(d).
Discharge
1) The release of any waste into the environment
from a point source. Usually refers to the release
of a liquid waste into a body of water through an
outlet such as a pipe, but also refers to air emis-
sions. 2) As defined by Section 31 l(a)(2) the of
Clean Water Act, includes, but is not limited to,
any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
emptying, or dumping of oil. 3) Substantial
threats of discharge.
Discharge Area
An area of land where there is a net annual trans-
fer of water from the ground water to surface
water, such as to streams, springs, lakes, and wet-
lands.
Discharge of Dredged Material
Any addition of dredged material into the waters
of the United States. The term includes, without
limitation, the addition of dredged material to a
specified discharge site located in waters of the
United States and the runoff or overflow from a
contained land or water disposal area.
Discharges of pollutants into waters of the United
States resulting from the onshore subsequent
processing of dredged material that is extracted
for any commercial use (other than fill) are not
included within this term are subject to Section
402 of Clean Water Act even though the extrac-
tion and deposit of such material may require a
permit from the Corps of Engineers. The term
does not include plowing, cultivating, seeding
and harvesting for the production of food, fiber,
and forest products {See 40 CFR 323.4 for the
definition of these terms). The term also does not
include de minimis, incidental soil movement oc-
curring during normal dredging operations.
Discharge of Fill Material
The addition of fill material into waters of the
United States. The term generally includes, with-
out limitation, the following activities: placement
of fill that is necessary for the construction of any
structure in a water of the United States; the
building of any structure or impoundment requir-
ing rock, sand, dirt, or other material for its con-
struction; site development fills for recreational,
industrial, commercial, residential, and other
uses; causeways or road fills; dams and dikes;
artificial islands; property protection and/or recla-
mation devices such as riprap, groins, seawalls,
breakwaters, and revetments; beach nourishment;
levees; fill for structures such as sewage treatment
facilities, intake and outfall pipes associated with
power plants, and subaqueous utility lines; and
artificial reefs. The term does not include plow-
ing, cultivating, seeding and harvesting for the
production of food, fiber, and forest products {See
40 CFR 323.4 for the definition of these terms).
Discharge of Pollutants
1) The addition of pollutants to navigable waters
from any point source. 2) Any addition of pollut-
ants to the waters of the contiguous zone or the
ocean from any point source, other than from a
vessel or other floating craft being used as a
means of transportation. The term discharge in-
cludes either the discharge of a single pollutant or
the discharge of multiple pollutants.
Discharge or Hazardous Waste Discharge
As defined by Section 311(a)(2) of the Clean
Water Act, includes, but is not limited to, any
accidental or intentional spilling, leaking, pump-
ing, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of
oil or other hazardous substances into, or on, any
land or water.
Discharge or Release to Water or Land
The direct or indirect transfer by any person in the
course of doing business of any listed chemical to
land or water in a manner that, if committed by
the transferor, would pose a threat to public health
and welfare. Discharge or release into water or
onto land does not include the following: a) the
sale, exchange or other transfer of a chemical to a
solid waste disposal facility, or a hazardous waste
facility provided that the disposal to such facility
complies with all applicable state and federal stat-
utes, rules, regulations, permits, requirements,
and orders; b) the sale, exchange or other transfer
of a chemical to any treatment works as defined in
33 United States Code Section 1292 provided that
the discharge or release to such treatment works
complies with all applicable standards and limita-
tions imposed, and permits required, under fed-
eral law or an approved state program.
Discharge Point
The point within a disposal site at which dredged
or fill material is released.
Discretionary Authority
The authority delegated to agency engineers to
override provisions of nationwide permits, to add
 regional conditions, or to require individual per-
mit applications.
Discrimination
Discharge, demotion, reduction in pay, coercion,
restraint, threats, or other negative actions taken
against an individual, or group, as a result of the
individual's, or group's a)exercise of occupa-
tional safety and health rights; or b) race, creed,
economic level, or color.
Dishonesty
1) The disposition, and intent, to deceive, cheat,
steal or defraud. 2) An absence of integrity. 3) A
lack of honesty; or 4) a crime resulting from dis-
honest conduct.
Disinfectant Contact Time
The time (T) in minutes that it takes for water to
move from the point of disinfectant applications
or the previous point of disinfectant residual
measurement to a point before or at the point
where residual disinfectant concentration (C) is
measured (T in CT calculations). Refer to 40
CFR 141.2.
Disinfectants
Chemical or physical agents that kill pathogenic
organisms in water. Chlorine is often used to dis-
infect sewage treatment effluent, water supplies,
wells, and swimming pools.
Disinfected Wastewater
Wastewater in which chlorine or other disinfect-
ing agents have been added to, during or after
treatment, to destroy pathogenic organisms.
Disinfection
1) The process of killing the larger portion of
microorganisms in, or on, a substance with a large
probability that all pathogenic bacteria will be de-
stroyed by the disinfecting agent used. 2) A proc-
ess that inactivates pathogenic organisms in water
by chemical oxidants or equivalent agents.
Disk
A species descriptor that means the round center
of a ray flower, such as a daisy, around which
petals are arranged.
Dispensing Unit
1) For natural gas, a stationary natural gas instal-
lation other than a bulk plant from which com-
pressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid petroleum
gas (LNG) is dispensed into fuel tanks or portable
cylinders from a storage tank, bank of cylinders,
compressor, or a distribution gas pipeline. 2) For
LPG a stationary LPG installation other than a
bulk plant from which a product is dispensed, for
final utilization, into mobile fuel tanks or portable
cylinders.
Dispersal
A species descriptor that refers to the migration of
individuals from their home range.
Dispersants
1) Chemical agents used to break up concentra-
tions of organic material such as spilled oil. 2)
Chemical agents that emulsify, disperse, or solu-
bilize oil into the water column or promote the
surface spreading of oil slicks to facilitate disper-
sal of the oil into the water column.
Dispersed Site
A site selected to reduce concentration and vul-
nerability by its separation from other target
sources or a recognized hazard area.
Dispersion
1) In chemical and biological operations, the
spreading and mixing of chemical constituents in
groundwater caused by diffusion and mixing due
to microscopic variations in velocities within and
between pores. 2) The dissemination of agents in
liquid or aerosol form. 3) In airdrop operations,
the scatter of personnel and/or cargo on a drop
zone. 4) In shipping operations, the reberthing of
a ship in the periphery of the port area or in the
vicinity of the port for its own protection in order
to minimize the risk of damage.
Dispersion Coefficient
A measure of the spreading of a flowing sub-
stance due to the nature of the porous medium
and the specific substance or fluid properties,
when interconnected channels are distributed at
random in all directions. Also, the sum of the
coefficients of mechanical dispersion and mo-
lecular diffusion in a porous medium.
Dispersion Error
The distance from the point of impact or burst of
a round to the mean point of impact or burst.
Dispersion Model
A mathematical prediction of how pollutants from
a discharge or emission source will be distributed
in the surrounding environment under given con-
ditions of wind, temperature, humidity, and other
environmental factors. Models take into account
a variety of mixing mechanisms that dilute efflu-
ents and transport them away from the point of
emission.
Dispersion Resins
Resins manufactured in such a way as to form
fluid dispersions when dispersed in a plasticizer
or plasticizer/diluent mixtures.
Dispersion Technique
1) Any intermittent or supplemental control of air
pollutants varying with atmospheric conditions.
2) Techniques that attempt to affect the concentra-
tion of a pollutant in the ambient air by a) using
that portion of a stack that exceeds good engineer-
ing practice stack height; b) varying the rate of
emission of a pollutant according to atmospheric
conditions or ambient concentrations of that pol-
lutant; or c) increasing final exhaust gas plume
rise by manipulating source process parameters,
exhaust gas parameters, stack parameters, or com-
bining exhaust gases from several existing stacks
into one stack, or other selective handling of ex-
haust gas streams so as to increase the exhaust gas
plume rise. Refer to 40 CFR 61.100.
Dispersivity
The property of a porous medium and the specific
substance or fluid that determines the dispersion
characteristics of the contaminant in that medium
by relating the components of pore velocity to
dispersion coefficient. See Dispersion Coeffi-
cient.
Disposal
1) The discharge, deposit, injection, dumping,
spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid waste or
hazardous waste into or on any land or water so
that such solid waste or hazardous waste or any
constituent thereof may enter the environment or
be emitted into the air or discharged into any wa-
ters, including ground waters. 2) Waste emplace-
ment designed to ensure isolation of waste from
the biosphere, with no intention of retrieval for
the foreseeable future, and that requires deliberate
action to regain access to the waste. 3) Final
placement or destruction of toxic, radioactive, or
other wastes; surplus or banned pesticides or
other chemicals; polluted soils; and drums con-
taining hazardous materials from removal actions
or accidental releases. Disposal may be accom-
plished through use of approved secure landfills,
surface impoundments, land farming, deep well
injection, ocean dumping, or incineration. 4) To
intentionally or accidentally discard, throw away,
or otherwise complete or terminate the useful life
of PCBs and PCB items.
Disposal includes spills, leaks, and other uncon-
trolled discharges of PCBs as well as actions re-
lated to containing, transporting, destroying,
degrading, decontaminating, or confining PCBs
and PCB items.
Disposal Areas
The regions within the perimeter of impound-
ments containing uranium by-product materials to
which the post-closure requirements apply. Refer
to 40 CFR 192.31 (f).
Disposal Facility
I ) A facility or part of a facility at which hazard-
ous waste is intentionally placed into, or on, any
land or water, and at which waste will remain
after closure. 2) A landfill, incinerator, or other
facility, that receives waste for disposal. The fa-
cility may have one or many disposal methods
 available for use. Does not include wastewater
treatment.
Disposal Package
The primary container that holds, and is in contact
with, solidified high-level radioactive waste,
spent nuclear fuel, or other radioactive materials,
and any overpacks that are emplaced at a reposi-
tory.
Disposal Sites
Those portions of the waters of the United States
where specific disposal activities are permitted
and consist of a bottom surface area and any over-
lying volume of water. In the case of wetlands on
which surface water is not present, the disposal
site consists of the wetland surface area.
Disposal Systems, Nuclear
Any combination of engineered and natural barri-
ers that isolate spent nuclear fuel or radioactive
wastes after disposal.
Disposal Units
A discrete portion of the disposal site into which
waste is placed for disposal. For near-surface dis-
posal operations the unit is usually a trench.
Disposal Wells
Wells used for the disposal of waste into a subsur-
face stratum.
Disposer of PCB Waste
Any person who owns or operates a facility ap-
proved by the EPA for the disposal of PCB waste
that is regulated for disposal under the require-
ments of 40 CFR 761, Subpart D.
Disposition
The movement and fate of chemicals in the body,
including absorption, distribution, biotransforma-
tion, and excretion.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Oxygen that is freely available in water to sustain
the lives of fish and other aquatic organisms, and
for the prevention of odors. Traditionally, the
level of dissolved oxygen has been accepted as
the single most important indicator of a water
body's ability to support desirable aquatic life.
Dissolved Solids
Disintegrated organic and inorganic materials
contained in water. Excessive amounts make
water unfit to drink or use in industrial processes.
Distal
A species descriptor that means anatomically lo-
cated far from the origin or line of attachment.
Distillation
The act of purifying liquids through boiling, so
that the steam condenses to a pure liquid and the
pollutants remain in a concentrated residue.
Distribute/Distribution in Commerce
To sell, import, introduce, or deliver for introduc-
tion into commerce, or to hold for sale or distribu-
tion after introduction.
Distribution
1) The transport of a substance through the body
by physical means (e.g., active transport or diffu-
sion). Distribution is dependent on the chemical
properties of the toxicant or its metabolites and, to
some extent, the route of exposure as well as
physiologic variables. 2) In statistics, the fre-
quency or manner in which observations of differ-
ent value are distributed over the range of values.
These values can be numbers, frequency, size,
cost, etc.
Distribution Coefficient
The quantity of a solute absorbed per unit weight
of a solid divided by the quantity dissolved in
water per unit volume of water.
Distribution Reservoir
A reservoir, directly connected with the distribu-
tion system of the domestic water supply project,
used primarily to care for fluctuations in demand
that occur over short periods of from several
hours to several days, or as local storage in case
 of emergency such as a break in a main supply
line or failure of pumping plant.
Distributor
A device used to apply liquid to the surface of a
filter or contact bed. There are generally two
types of distributors, fixed and movable. Fixed
types may consist of perforated pipes, notched
troughs, sloping boards, or sprinkler nozzles;
movable types consist of rotating, reciprocating,
or traveling perforated pipes or troughs applying
a spray or a thin sheet of liquid.
Ditch Drain
A drainage structure or facility that will move
water from an inside road ditch to an outside area.
Diurnal
A species descriptor for plants that open during
daylight and close at night, or animals that are
active during the day and sleep at night.
Divergent Windstorms
Includes downbursts, gust fronts, and downslope
winds, and are characterized predominantly by a
divergent flow field.
Diversity
A species descriptor that refers to the number of
differing species in a habitat.
Divert
To change or turn the flow of a contaminant or
spill; to alter course, mission, or destination; an
illegal change or alteration of a water course to
the detriment of downstream ecosystems.
Diving Chamber
See Hyperbaric Chamber.
Division
1) An organizational level having responsibility
for operations within a defined geographic area.
2) In botany, a taxonomic grouping of organisms
belonging to similar classes; the equivalent of
phylum.
DMA
An acronym for Diagnosis of Multiple Alarms
System.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
The molecule in which the genetic information
for most living cells is encoded. The molecule is
double stranded, with a "backbone" of phosphate
and sugar (deoxyribose) to which the nucleotide
bases are attached. The nucleotides form a lad-
derlike structure by hydrogen bonds such that
adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and guanine
(G) pairs with cytosine (C). The specific se-
quence of nucleotide bases defines the gene. Vi-
ruses, too, can contain DNA.
DNAAdduct
A lesion in the DNA formed by the covalent bind-
ing of an erogenous chemical to one of the nu-
cleotide bases. DNA adducts are frequently the
precursors to changes in the sequence of nucleo-
tides (mutations). See DNA Crosslink.
DNA Crosslink
A lesion in the DNA formed by the covalent bind-
ing of an erogenous chemical to two nucleotide
bases, one each on opposing strands of the DNA.
DNA crosslinks usually prevent DNA replication
and are lethal to cells attempting to divide. See
DNAAdduct.
DNA Hybridization
Use of a segment of DNA, called a DNA probe, to
identity its complementary DNA; used to detect
specific genes. This process takes advantage of
the ability of a single strand of DNA to combine
with a complementary strand.
DNO
An acronym for Do Not Operate.
Doctrine
Fundamental principles by which the military
forces or elements thereof guide their actions in
support of national objectives. It is authoritative
but requires judgment in application. See Joint
Doctrine.
Documentation
Measured drawings, photographs, histories, or
other media that depict historic sites, structures,
or objects.
DOD Internal Audit Organizations
The following DOD organizations: the Army
Audit Agency; Naval Audit Service; Air Force
Audit Agency; and the Office of the Assistant
Inspector General for Auditing, Office of the In-
spector General, DOD.
DOE Accident Response Group Team
Leaders
DOE senior officials who are responsible for all
DOE field operations involved in responding to a
nuclear weapon accident or significant incident in
which the Department of Defense is the cognizant
federal agency and a military person is the on-
scene commander.
DOE Alternative
An administrative relief from DOE regulations
that meets and provides equivalent health and
safety protection.
DOE Contractors
Includes any prime contractors or subcontractors
subject to the contractual provisions of 48 CFR
923.70, 48 CFR 970.23, or other contractual pro-
visions where DOE has elected to enforce envi-
ronment, safety, and health requirements by
specific negotiated contract provisions.
DOE Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The center located at DOE headquarters through
which DOE's emergency management team coor-
dinates the departmental response to an emer-
gency.
DOE Factor Relationship and Sequence of
Events (FRASE)
1) FRASE Categories — categories under which
FRASE terms and phrases are grouped according
to broader concepts. 2) FRASE Vocabulary — a
controlled vocabulary designed for searching the
narrative description fields of records on the
SPMS.
DOE Offices
The various offices of the DOE, including, but not
limited to, the following:
• Grand Junction Projects Office;
• NRS Office for Analysis and Evaluation of Opera-
tional Data;
• NRS Office of Inspection and Enforcement;
• Office of Defense Waste and Transportation Man-
agement;
• Office of Weapons Production;
• Albuquerque Operations Office;
• Chicago Operations Office;
• Idaho Operations Office;
• Nevada Operations Office;
• Oak Ridge Operations Office;
• Rich land Operations Office;
• San Francisco Operations Office;
• Savannah River Operations Office;
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear En-
ergy;
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy;
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Defense Pro-
grams;
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Conservation
and Renewable Resources;
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Environment,
Safety, and Health;
• Office of Special Projects;
• Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste
Management;
• Office of New Production Reactors;
• Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management;
• Office of Energy Research;
• Office of Basic Energy Sciences;
• Office of Health and Environmental Research;
• Program Enrichment Office;
• Regional Coordinating Offices;
• Sample Management Offices; etc.
DOE Operations
Those activities funded by DOE for which DOE
has authority to enforce for environmental protec-
tion, safety, and health protection requirements.
DOE Programs
Organized sets of activities within a resource area
having common objectives based on strategy set
forth to meet assigned goals. It may include one
 or more projects and research and development
activities in support of new, improved, or more
efficient supply, or conservation systems or pro-
cedures.
DOE Property
All land, buildings, and structures (real property)
and equipment, records, and supplies (personnel
property) owned, or rented and leased from com-
mercial sources by the U.S. government and sub-
ject to the administrative custody or jurisdiction
ofDOE.
DOE Representatives
Employees approved by the DOE Designating
Official to a) work on standards committee as-
signments by reason of individual, professional,
or technical expertise to further technical pro-
grammatic objectives of the department; b) serve
as official spokespersons for the department on
boards of directors governing as policy-develop-
ing bodies, including, for example, management
boards of standards developing organizations.
DOE Sites
Either tracts owned by DOE or tracts leased or
otherwise made available to the federal govern-
ment under terms that afford to the Department of
Energy rights of access and control substantially
equal to those that the Department of Energy
would possess if it were the holder of the fee (or
pertinent interest therein) as agent of and on be-
half of the government.
DOE Specification Packaging
General packaging designed to meet requirements
established by DOT for hazardous materials.
DOJ
See U.S. Department of Justice.
DOMB
An acronym for Director of the Office of Man-
agement and Budget.
Domestic Crude Oil
I ) A mixture of hydrocarbons that existed in liq-
uid phase in underground reservoirs and remains
liquid at atmospheric pressure after passing
through surface separating facilities. 2) Petro-
leum produced in the 50 states or the outer conti-
nental shelf. Domestic crude includes synthetic
hydrocarbons such as shale oil, tar sands oil, or
heavy oil. Also, lease condensate moving to a
refinery is included. Lease condensate is defined
as natural gas liquid recovered from well gas (as-
sociated and nonassociated) in lease separators or
field facilities. Drips are also included but topped
crude oil and other unfinished oils are excluded.
Natural gas liquids produced at natural gas proc-
essing plants and mixed with crude oil are like-
wise excluded where identifiable.
Domestic Emergencies
Emergencies affecting the public welfare and oc-
curring within the 50 states, District of Columbia,
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. possessions
and territories, or any political subdivision
thereof, as a result of enemy attack, insurrection,
civil disturbance, earthquake, fire, flood, or other
public disasters or equivalent emergencies that
endanger life and property or disrupt the usual
process of government. The term "domestic
emergency" includes any or all of the following
emergency conditions:
• a) Civil Defense Emergencies — domestic
emergency disaster situations resulting from
devastation created by an enemy attack and
requiring emergency operations during and
following that attack. It may be proclaimed by
appropriate authority in anticipation of an attack;
• b) Civil Disturbances — riots, acts of violence,
insurrections, unlawful obstructions or
assemblages, or other disorders prejudicial to
public law and order. The term civil disturbance
includes all domestic conditions requiring or
likely to require the use of federal Armed Forces
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 15 of Title
10, United States Code;
• c) Major Disasters — any flood, fire, hurricane,
tornado, earthquake, or other catastrophe that, in
the determination of the president, is or threatens
to be of sufficient severity and magnitude to
warrant disaster assistance by the federal
 government under Public Law 606, 91st
Congress (42 United States Code 58) to
supplement the efforts and available resources of
state and local governments in alleviating the
damage, hardship, or suffering caused thereby;
and,
• d) Natural Disasters — all domestic emergencies
except those created as a result of enemy attack
or civil disturbance.
Domestic Water Supply Reservoir
A reservoir used to impound or store water in-
tended solely or primarily for domestic purposes.
Dominant
1) The species controlling an environment or eco-
system. 2) Trees with crowns extending above
the general level of the crown cover and receiving
full light from above and partly from the sides;
crowns well developed bu^ possibly somewhat
crowded on the sides.
DOP
See Detailed Operating Procedures.
Doppler Radar
A radar system that differentiates between fixed
and moving targets by detecting the apparent
change in frequency of the reflected wave due to
motion of target or the observer.
Doppler Effect
The phenomenon evidenced by the change in the
observed frequency of a sound or radio wave
caused by a time rate of change in the effective
length of the path of travel between the source
and the point of observation.
Dormant Season
That portion of the year when frosts occur. Refer
to U.S. Department of Interior, National Atlas
1970:110-111 for regional breakdowns.
Dorsal
A species descriptor that means situated at the
rear of an animal, such as the dorsal fin in a fish.
Dorsoventral
A species descriptor that means extending from a
dorsal (rear) to a ventral (front) surface.
Dorsum
A species descriptor referring to a part of an organ
analogous to the back.
DOS
Term meaning Disk Operating System, refers spe-
cifically to the Microsoft computer operating sys-
tems marketed as IBM DOS, PC DOS, and
MS-DOS. A program and group of utilities used
to control a computer's disk drives, for informa-
tion storage and retrieval, disk formatting, system
configuration, automatic execution, etc.
Dose
I ) A general term denoting the quantity of radia-
tion or energy absorbed in a specified mass. 2) In
terms of monitoring exposure levels, the amount
of a toxic substance taken into the body over a
given period of time. 3) In radiology, the quantity
of energy or radiation absorbed. The amount of
substances penetrating the exchange boundaries
of organisms after contact. Doses are calculated
from the intake and the absorption efficiency, and
are usually expressed as mass of a substance ab-
sorbed into the body per unit body weight per unit
time (e.g., mg/kg per day). Also, in radiology, the
quantity of energy or radiation absorbed. See Ab-
sorbed Dose.
Dose Equivalents
1) Dose equivalent received by specified organs
during a period of 1 calendar year that was the
result of an uptake of a radionuclide by a person
occupationally exposed. 2) The product of ab-
sorbed dose (D) in red (or gray) in tissue, a qual-
ity factor (Q), and other modifying factors (N) to
account for differences in biological effectiveness
due to the quality of radiation and its distribution
in the body. Dose equivalent is expressed in units
of rem(or sievert).
Dose Equivalent Index
For the purposes of radiation protection either the
deep dose equivalent index, shallow dose equiva-
lent index, or unrestricted dose equivalent index.
Dose Limit
The value of a quantity of radiation, or toxicity,
that must not be exceeded.
Dose Rate Contour Line
A line on a map, diagram, or overlay joining all
points at which the radiation, or toxicity, dose rate
at a given time is the same.
Dose Rate Meters
Devices, instruments, or systems that can be used
to measure or evaluate any quantity that can be
related to the determination of either absorbed
dose rate or dose equivalent rate.
Dose Response
A term referring to how an organism's response to
a toxic substance changes as its overall exposure
to the substance changes. For example, a small
dose of carbon monoxide may cause drowsiness;
a large dose may result in fatality.
Dose Upper Bounds
Dose levels established by a competent authority
to constrain the optimization of protection for a
given source or source type.
Dose-Response Evaluation
The process of quantitatively evaluating the toxic-
ity information and characterizing the relationship
between the dose of a contaminant administered
or received and the incidence of adverse health
effects in the exposed population. From the quan-
titative dose-response relationship, toxicity values
are derived that are used in the risk charac-
terization step to estimate the likelihood of ad-
verse effects occurring in humans at different
exposure levels.
Dose-Response Relationship
A relationship between a) the dose, often actually
based on "administered dose" (i.e., exposure)
rather than absorbed dose; b) the extent of toxic
injury produced by that chemical. Response can
be expressed either as the severity of injury or
proportion of exposed subjects affected. A dose-
response assessment is one of the four steps in a
risk assessment.
DOSEM
A master computer program to calculate offsite
doses from accidental releases of plutonium, criti-
cality products, depleted uranium, americium, or
nonradioactive material.
Dosimeter
An instrument that measures exposure to radia-
tion.
Dosimetry
1) In general, the measurement or modeling of the
amount, rate, and distribution of a drug or toxi-
cant especially as it pertains to producing a par-
ticular biological effect. 2) The measurement of
radiation doses. 3) The theory and application of
the principles and techniques involved in measur-
ing and recording doses.
Dosimetry Processors
An individual or an organization that processes
and evaluates personnel monitoring equipment in
order to determine the radiation dose delivered to
the equipment.
Dosing Tank
Any tank used in applying a dose; specifically
used for intermittent application of wastewater to
subsequent processes.
DOT
See U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT Specifications
Regulations of the federal Department of Trans-
portation published in 49 CFR Part 100-199.
DOT (Tank) Service
Service in which a pressure vessel is used, in-
spected and maintained in accordance with DOT
regulations.
Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
An assembly of at least two independently acting
check valves including tightly closing shut-off
valves on each side of the check valve assembly
and test cocks available for testing the watertight-
ness of each check valve.
Double Wash/Rinse
A minimum requirement to cleanse solid surfaces
(both impervious and nonimpervious) two times
with an appropriate solvent or other material in
which PCBs are at least 5% soluble (by weight).
The wash/rinse requirement does not mean the
mere spreading of solvent or other aid over the
surface, nor does the requirement mean a once-
over wipe with a soaked cloth. Precautions must
be taken to contain any runoff resulting from the
cleansing and to properly dispose of wastes gen-
erated during the cleansing.
Downbursts
A strong downward current of air that induces an
outward burst of damaging wind on or near the
ground. Practically all downbursts occur beneath
cumulonimbus clouds during their precipitation
stages. Downburst winds are highly divergent,
covering an area up to 30 miles long and 10 miles
wide. The peak windspeed of downbursts is less
than 180 mph. Due to a rapidly striking motion,
the descending air successively hits the surface to
burst out. Most downbursts are highly divergent
but irrotational. However, some downbursts are
rotational with a curved airflow identified as the
"twisting downburst." Small tornadoes fre-
quently form on the edge of a twisting downburst.
Downslope Wind
A hot (warm), dry downslope wind descending
from its source region at high elevations. Usually
downslope winds are nondivergent and irrota-
tional. Can form over ice and/or snow.
Draft Hood
A device built into an appliance, or made a part of
the vent connector from an appliance, that is de-
signed to a) ensure the ready escape of the flue
gases in the event of no draft, back draft, or stop-
page beyond the draft hood; b) prevent a back
draft from entering the appliance; and, c) neutral-
ize the effect of stack action of the chimney or gas
vent upon the operation of the appliance.
Draft Permits
Documents prepared under 40 CFR 124.6 indicat-
ing a tentative decision to issue or deny, modify,
revoke and reissue, terminate, or reissue a permit.
A notice of intent to terminate a permit and a
notice of intent to deny a permit as discussed in
40 CFR 124.5, are types of draft permits. A de-
nial of a request for modification, revocation, and
reissuance or termination, as discussed in Part
124.5, is not a draft permit.
Drafting Break
The transferral of a whole section of an analytical
diagram or tree to another location, in a technical
document, for space convenience.
Drag Loading
The force on an object or structure due to tran-
sient winds accompanying the passage of a blast
wave. The drag pressure is the product of the
dynamic pressure and the drag coefficient that is
dependent upon the shape (or geometry) of the
structure or object. See Dynamic Pressure.
Drainage Basin
The land area from which water drains into a river
or lake.
Drainage Facilities
Facilities constructed to control water, including,
but not limited to, forks, inside ditches, water-
breaks, outsloping and rolling dips.
Drainage Structure
A structure installed to control, divert or to cross
over water, including, but not limited to, culverts,
bridges, and ditch drains.
Drainage System
Includes all the piping within or attached to the
structure that conveys sewage or other liquid
wastes to a drain outlet(s).
Drawdown
1) The vertical distance groundwater elevation is
lowered, or the amount pressure head is reduced,
due to the removal of groundwater. Also the de-
cline in potentiometric surface caused by the
withdrawal of water from a hydrogeologic unit.
2) Distance between the static water level and the
surface of the cone of depression. 3) Lowering of
the water table of an unconfined aquifer or the
potentiometric surface of a confined aquifer
caused by pumping of groundwater from wells.
Dredge and Fill Permit (404 Permit)
A regulatory permit issued by the Army Corp of
Engineers (ACOE), required under Section 404 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amend-
ments of 1972 for all dredge and fill activities in
any "navigable waters of the U.S."
Drinking Water Supply
As defined by Section 107(7) of CERCLA, means
any raw or finished water source that is, or may
be, used by a public water system (as defined in
the Safe Drinking Water Act) or as drinking water
by one or more individuals.
DRE
See Destruction and Removal Efficiency.
Dredged Materials
Materials that are excavated or dredged from wa-
ters of the United States.
Dredged Ocean Material
Any material excavated or dredged from the navi-
gable waters of the United States.
Dredging
Removal of mud from the bottom of water bodies
using a scooping machine. This disturbs the eco-
system and causes silting that can kill aquatic life.
Dredging of contaminated muds can expose
aquatic life to heavy metals and other toxins.
Dredging activities may be subject to regulation
under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Drift
1) The movement of a pesticide during or imme-
diately after application or use through air to a site
other than the intended site of application or use.
2) In ballistics, a shift in projectile direction due
to gyroscopic action that results from gravita-
tional and atmospherically induced torques on the
spinning projectile.
Drill Report
A report on the results and conclusions from the
evaluation of the building emergency response
will be prepared. A drill report clarifies which
objectives were satisfactorily demonstrated and
identifies issues or deficiencies.
Drills
1) Activities, either announced or unannounced,
that test limited portions of an emergency plan.
2) Supervised, hands-on instruction periods in-
tended to test, develop, and/or maintain a specific
emergency response capability. Drills limit ac-
tivities to specific components of emergency re-
sponse and are often a component of a larger
site-wide exercise.
Drinking Water Supplies
As defined by Section 101 (7) of CERCLA, any
raw or finished water source that is or may be
used by a public water system (as defined in the
Safe Drinking Water Act) or as drinking water by
one or more individuals.
Drive Power
The energy source or sources for the robot actua-
tors.
Drone
A land, sea, or air vehicle that is remotely or
automatically controlled. See Remotely Piloted
Vehicle; Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
Drop Zone
A specific area upon which airborne materials,
fire suppressants and chemicals, equipment, or
supplies are airdropped, to help contain a hazard.
Drums
Hollow, cylindrical containers. Typically, a metal
cylindrical shipping container with a capacity of
12-110 gallons (45-416 liters) of liquid. Within
the context of chemical engineering, drums are
towers or vessels in a refinery into which heated
products are conducted so that volatile portions
can separate.
Drupe
A species descriptor for a fleshy fruit, such as a
peach or plum, that usually has a single, hard
seed.
Dry Caves
Long-term storage areas for irradiated elements
that do not require cooling.
Dual Systems
Combinations of special or intermediate moment
resisting space frames and shear walls or braced
frames.
Dual Warning Phenomenology
Deriving warning information from two systems
observing separate physical phenomena (e.g., ra-
dar/infrared or visible light/X-ray) associated
with the same events to attain high credibility
while being less susceptible to error.
Duct
A tube or conduit for conveying air to or from air
conditioning or comfort-cooling equipment.
Class 0 Air Ducts — air duct materials and con-
nectors having a fire-hazard classification of zero.
Class 1 Air Ducts — ducts of materials and con-
nectors having a flame-spread rating of not over
25 without evidence of continued progressive
combustion and a smoke-developed rating of not
over 50. Class 2 Air Ducts — ducts of materials
and connectors having a flame-spread rating of
not over 50 without evidence of continued pro-
gressive combustion and a smoke-developed rat-
ing of not over 50 for the inside surface and not
over 100 for the outside surface.
Duds
Bombs, grenades, or shells that fail to explode.
Due Process
In environmental issues, procedural due process
relates to the methods that the government may
use to enforce its laws; carry out its powers; in
general, it provides all individuals and organiza-
tions with the right to receive notice of noncom-
pliance and a reasonable opportunity to present
objections or bring the situation into compliance.
The legal right of due process is given to all per-
sons by the U.S. Constitution.
Dump
1) Generally, a site used to dispose of solid wastes
without environmental controls. Uncontrolled
dumping is an illegal form of waste disposal,
often resulting in the multiplication of disease-
carrying organisms and pests, fires, air and water
pollution, unsightliness, loss of habitat, and/or
fines imposed upon the responsible parties. 2) In
military terms, a temporary storage area, usually
in the open, for bombs, ammunition, equipment,
or supplies.
Dunning's Classification
A system of tree classification based on maturity
of trees, age, position of tree crown in stand,
shape of top, diameter, density of foliage and risk
or susceptibility of tree to insect and other mortal-
ity where trees are classed as follows:
• Class 1 — Tree immature, 60 to 150 years of age,
crown dominant or extending above general
level of the crown cover, top pointed, d.b.h. up
to 30 inches (76.2 cm), foliage dense and risk
good;
• Class 2 — Tree immature, 60 to 150 years of age,
crown codominant or equal to general level of
the crown cover, top pointed, d.b.h. up to 24
inches (61.0 cm), foliage dense and risk good;
• Class 3 — Tree mature, 150 to 300 years of age,
crown dominant or extending above general
 level of the crown cover, top rounded, d.b.h. 18
inches (45.7 cm) to 40 inches (101.6 cm), foliage
moderately dense and risk fair to good;
• Class 4 — Tree mature, 150 to 300 years of age,
crown codominant or equal to general level of
the crown cover, top rounded and risk poor to
fair;
• Class 5 — Tree overmature, over 300 years of
age, crown dominant or extending above the
general level of the crown cover, top flat, foliage
thin, and risk poor;
• Class 6—Tree immature, 60 to 150 years of age,
crown intermediate to or suppressed by the
general level of the crown cover, top pointed,
d.b.h. 12 inches (30.5 cm) to 15 inches (38.1
cm), foliage moderately dense and risk fair to
good; and
• Class 7 — Tree mature or overmature, over 150
years of age, crown intermediate or suppressed
by the general level of the crown cover, top flat,
d.b.h. rarely over 18 inches (45.7 cm), foliage
sparse and risk poor.
Duress Systems
Systems that can covertly communicate a situ-
ation of duress to a security control center or other
personnel who can notify a security control cen-
ter.
Dust
1) Minute wind-blown soils and/or solid particu-
lates resulting from human activities that are car-
ried into the atmosphere, eventually settling due
to gravity. 2) Mechanically produced solid parti-
cles in the air usually ranging in size from 0.1
microns to 25 microns. 3) Particles light enough
to be suspended in air.
Dust Control
The control of dust by use of water or other mate-
rials.
Dust Devils
Rotating columns of air that form over dry ground
heated by strong solar radiation. The direction of
rotation is not unique, affected by the environ-
mental flow field during the formation stage.
Most dust devils are 72 mph or weaker. Occa-
sionally 73 to 112 mph dust devils damage out-
buildings or garages. The central region of a dust
devil is characterized by a descending motion and
relatively clear air. Can form over ice and/or
snow with snow rotating (snow devils).
Dustfall Jar
An open container used to collect large particles
from the air for measurement and analysis.
Duty Officers, Emergency
Personnel with appropriate knowledge of emer-
gency procedures to act as an intermediate crisis
manager. Duty officers generally have a pro-
scribed period of assigned duties.
DUVAS
An acronym for Derivative Ultraviolet Ab-
sorbtion Spectroscopy.
Dwelling Unit
One or more habitable rooms that are designed to
be occupied by one family with facilities for liv-
ing, sleeping, cooking, eating, and sanitation.
DWGNRA
An acronym for Delaware Water Gap National
Recreation Area (WSRA).
Dynamic Equilibrium
A condition in which the amount of recharge to an
aquifer equals the amount of natural discharge.
Dynamic Pressure
Pressure resulting from some medium in motion,
such as the air following the shock front of a blast
wave.
Dyscrasia
A blood disorder.
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing.
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath; difficult or labored breathing.
 Next page

Dysuria Dystrophic Lakes

Painful or difficult urination. Shallow bodies of water that contain much humus
and/or organic matter; or contain many plants, but
few fish, and are highly acidic.