WATER TERMS

term	description
MATTER	Anything which is solid, liquid or gas, and has mass.
MEDIAN STREAM FLOW (MEDIAN HYDRO)	The rate of discharge of a stream for which there are equal numbers of greater and lesser flow occurrences during a specified period.
MELTING	The changing of a solid into a liquid.
MELTWATER	Water that comes from the melting ice of a glacier or a snowbank.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOO)	An interagency agreement defining which agency has a responsibility.
METEORIC WATER	New water derived from the atmosphere.
METEOROLOGY	The science of the atmosphere; the study of atmospheric phenomena.
METHANE (CH4)	An odorless, colorless, flammable gas that is a major constituent of natural gas. It is a more powerful global warming agent than carbon dioxide.
Mg/L	See CONCENTRATION.
mg/L	Milligrams per liter.
MIGRATION	The movement of oil, gas, contaminants, water, or other liquids through porous and permeable rock.
MINERAL	Any naturally occurring inorganic element or chemical compound. Rocks are a compound of minerals.
MINIMUM STREAMFLOW	The specific amount of water reserved to support aquatic life, to minimize pollution, or for recreation. It is subject to the priority system and does not affect water rights established prior to its institution.
MITIGATION	When used in the context of environmental assessments, it refers to an action designed to lessen or reduce adverse impacts.
Mn	Manganese.
MOISTURE	Water diffused in the atmosphere or the ground.
MOLECULE	A very small bit of matter. The smallest amount of a compound which has all the properties of the compound.
MUNICIPAL SEWAGE	Sewage from a community which may be composed of domestic sewage, industrial wastes or both.
MAGMATlC WATER	Water driven out of magma during crystallization.

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