accumulation

accumulation [HYD] The quantity of snow or other solid form of water added to a glacier
or snowfield mainly by snowfall. { ə·kyü·myə lā·shən }
accumulation area [HYD] The portion of a glacier above the firn line, where the
accumulation exceeds ablation. Also known as firn field; zone of accumulation.
{ ə·kyü·myə lā·shən er· ē·ə }
accumulation zone [GEOL] The area where the bulk of the snow contributing to an
avalanche was originally deposited. { ə·kyü·myə lā·shən zōn }
accumulator plant [BOT] A plant or tree that grows in a metal-bearing soil and
accumulates an abnormal content of the metal. { ə kyü·myə lād·ər plant }
accustomization [ENG] The process of learning the techniques of living with a
minimum of discomfort in an extreme or new environment. { ə kəs·tə·mə zā·shən }
acephate [CHEM] C4 H10 NO3 PS A white solid with a melting point of 72–80˚C; very
soluble in water; used as an insecticide for a wide range of aphids and foliage pests.
{ as·ə·fāt }
acephatemet [CHEM] CH3 OCH3 SPONH2 A white, crystalline solid with a melting point
of 39–41˚C; limited solubility in water; used as an insecticide to control cutworms and
borers on vegetables. { as·ə fāt·mət }
acervate [BIOL] Growing in heaps or dense clusters. { a·sər vāt }
acetoclastis [MICROBIO] The process, carried out by some methanogens, of splitting
acetate into methane and carbon dioxide. { a·sə·tō klas·təs }
acetogenic bacteria [BIOL] Anaerobic bacteria capable of reducing carbon dioxide to
acetic acid or converting sugars into acetate. { a·sə·tō jen·ik bak tir· ē·ə }
acetone cyanohydrin [CHEM] (CH3 )2 COHCN A colorless liquid obtained from conden-
sation of acetone with hydrocyanic acid; used as an insecticide or as an organic
chemical intermediate. { as·ə tōn sı̄ ə·nō hı̄d·rən }
acetylacetone [CHEM] CH3 COCH2 OCCH3 A colorless liquid with a pleasant odor and a
boiling point of 140.5˚C; soluble in water; used as a solvent, lubricant additive, paint
drier, and pesticide. { ə sed·əl as·ə tōn }
acetyl benzoyl peroxide [CHEM] C6 H5 CO·O2 ·OCCH3 White crystals with a melting
point of 36.6˚C; moderately soluble in ether, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and
water; used as a germicide and disinfectant. { ə sed·əl ben·zȯil pə räk sı̄d }
acetyl-CoA pathway [BIOL] A pathway of autotrophic carbon dioxide fixation. { a sed·
əl kō ā path wā }
acheb [ECOL] Short-lived vegetation regions of the Sahara composed principally of
mustards (Cruciferae) and grasses (Gramineae). { ə cheb }
acicular ice [HYD] Fresh-water ice composed of many long crystals and layered hollow
tubes of varying shape containing air bubbles. Also known as fibrous ice; satin ice.
{ ə sik·yə·lər ı̄s }
acid clay [GEOL] A type of clay that gives off hydrogen ions when it dissolves in water.
{ as·əd klā }
acid gases [CHEM ENG] The hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide found in natural and
refinery gases which, when combined with moisture, form corrosive acids; known as
sour gases when hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are present. { as·əd gas·əz }
acidity coefficient [GEOCHEM] The ratio of the oxygen content of the bases in a
rock to the oxygen content in the silica. Also known as oxygen ratio. { ə sid·ə·t ē
kō·ə fish·ənt }
acidophile [BIOL] 1. Any substance, tissue, or organism having an affinity for acid stains.
2. An organism having a preference for an acid environment. { ə sid·ə fil }
acidotrophic [BIOL] Having an acid nutrient requirement. { ə sid·ə trōf·ik }