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L
- lagoon
- A shallow sound, pond, or lake generally near but separated from or communicating with the open sea. A shallow freshwater pond or lake generally near or communicating with a larger body of fresh water.
- latitude
- The location of a place on earth north or south of the Equator. Latitude is a measurement in degrees ranging from 0° at the Equator (low latitude) to 90° at the poles (90° N for the North Pole or 90° S for the South Pole; high latitude). Each degree of latitude is further sub-divided into 60 minutes, each of which is divided into 60 seconds. A latitude is thus specified as 13° 19' 43" N. Contrast with longitude.
- LEL
- See lower explosive limit.
- level of concern (LOC)
- "Threshold concentration" of an airborne pollutant, usually the concentration above which a hazard to people is believed to exist.
- light crude
- Crude oil with a low specific gravity and high API gravity due to the presence of a high proportion of light hydrocarbon fractions and low metallic compound. Contrast with heavy crude. See also crude oil.
- lighter
- The pumping or transferring of oil from cargo compartments of a tank vessel to another vessel and/or barge.
- lipophilic
- Able to dissolve, be dissolved in, or absorb lipids (fats).
- liquefied gases
- Gases that have been changed into liquid form. Examples include butane, butylene, ethane, ethylene, propane and propylene.
- liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- Natural gas that has been liquified by cooling the gas. Liquification greatly reduces the volume of the material, making it much more cost-efficient to transport over long distances. LNG is transported by specially designed cryogenic sea vessels and road tankers, and stored in specially designed tanks. LNG is a mixture of gases; the main component is methane.
- liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
- A mixture of hydrocarbon gases that has been liquified by either pressure or refrigeration. LPG may be composed primarily of either propane or butane. LPG is transported over long distances by specially designed sea vessels and road tankers, either under pressure, semi-pressurized, or fully refrigerated.
- list
- The tilt of a vessel to port or starboard, usually measured in degrees from the vertical.
- LNG
- See liquefied natural gas.
- LOC
- See level of concern.
- longitude
- The location of a place on earth east or west of a north-south line called the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England. Longitude is given as a measurement ranging from 0° at the Prime Meridian to +180° eastward and -180° westward. Each degree of longitude is further sub-divided into 60 minutes, each of which is divided into 60 seconds. A longitude is thus specified as 23° 27' 30" E. Contrast with latitude.
- LOSC
- Local On-Scene Coordinator (for example, a representative of a city, county or tribal government).
- low tide (low water)
- The lowest level reached by the water during one tidal cycle. Contrast with high tide.
- lower explosive limit (LEL)
- Or lower flammability limit. Lowest concentration of a flammable vapor in air at which explosion or combustion can occur.
- LPG
- See liquefied petroleum gas.
- LSU
- Louisiana State University.
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