Glossary
Glossary of Terms
- Ecotone
- The transition zone between two major ecological communities where one does not merge gradually into the other; for example, that between grassland and woodland.
- EIS
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Electronic Blasting
- A method of detonating a mine blast that using sequencing to reduce instantaneous energy release.
- Electrowinning (Electrometallurgy)
- Process by which direct electrical current is passed through the aqueous solutions from the solvent extraction process causing the metal ions to migrate to a cathode. The metal ions deposit on the cathode creating a salable, almost pure product.
- Emission
- Effluent discharge into the atmosphere, usually specified by mass per unit time.
- Endangered Species
- Any animal or plant species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- A document prepared to analyze the impacts on the environment of a proposed action and released to the public for review and comment. An EIS must meet the requirements of NEPA, CEQ, and the directives of the lead federal agency responsible for the proposed action. A detailed statement of a federal project's environmental consequences, including adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided, alternatives to the proposed action, the relationship between local short-term uses and long-term productivity, and any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources.
- Ephemeral Stream
- A stream or portion of a stream that flows briefly in direct response to precipitation in the immediate vicinity, and whose channel is at all times above the water table.
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