Alaska Science Center Glossary | U.S. Geological Survey

A

Acid mine drainage

Acid mine drainage is the outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines that often contains elevated concentrations of copper, iron, and/or zinc.

B

Base metals

Base metals are any metals not containing iron that are neither precious metals nor noble metals. The most common base metals are copper, lead, nickel, tin, aluminum, and zinc.

Baseline study

A baseline study is the analysis of the current conditions at a location.

Biological sampling

A biological sample can be any type of sample from a living organism and includes plants and animals.

C

Commercial fishery

A for-profit enterprise where the catch is sold to a buyer. Commercial fisheries in Alaska are highly regulated in order to maintain sustainability of this resource for the future.

Customary and traditional practices

Customary and traditional practices include activities done by Native Alaskans for multiple generations to provide food for themselves, their families, and their communities. Hunting, fishing, and berry picking are examples of customary and traditional practices.

D

Discrete samples

Discrete samples are taken to represent conditions at a particular site at a specific moment in time. A date, time, and location are associated with the sample.

G

Geologic study

A geologic study involves researching the Earth’s surface and/or subsurface to determine characteristics such as the mineral content and rock types of specific sites or areas.

Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is a 300-mile long belt of mineralization stretching from south of Atlin in northern British Columbia near the border with the Yukon, to Kitsault, just southeast of Stewart, British Columbia.

Groundwater

Includes all water below the Earth’s surface. Groundwater is a source of water to rivers and the component of river flow originating from groundwater is called baseflow. Some bodies of groundwater, called aquifers, contain water that is thousands, or more, of years old.

P

Precious metals

Precious metals are rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value.

R

Recreational fishery

: A recreational fishery, also known as a sports fishery, is for pleasure or competition. Charter fishing is considered recreational fishing.

Retrospective analysis

A retrospective analysis looks back in time to examine and summarize existing data for a given topic or location.

S

Super Gage

A super gage is a conventional stream gage equipped with continuous water-quality monitors.

Surface water

Surface waters include lakes, stream, and any other water in direct contact with the Earth's atmosphere.

T

Traditional lands

The traditional lands of indigenous people in Alaska are the lands historically occupied by a specific group. In Alaska, these groups are called Alaska Native Tribes; in Canada, they are called First Nations.

Transboundary watersheds

Watersheds that flow from one country into another. In this case, the watersheds have their headwaters in Canada and flow to the ocean through Alaska, USA.