435table can be termed either a metal or a nonmetal. A few elements with intermediate properties
are, however, referred to as metalloids. (In Greek metallon = metal and eidos = sort)
METHANE: Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4. It is the simplest
alkane, and the principal component of natural gas. Methane's bond angles are 109.5 degrees.
Burning methane in the presence of oxygen produces carbon dioxide and water. The relative
abundance of methane and its clean burning process makes it a very attractive fuel. However,
because it is a gas at normal temperature and pressure, methane is difficult to transport from its
source. In its natural gas form, it is generally transported in bulk by pipeline or LNG carriers; few
countries still transport it by truck.
METHLENE BLUE: A heterocyclic aromatic chemical compound with the molecular formula
C16H18N3SCl.
Mg/L: Stands for "milligrams per liter." A common unit of chemical concentration. It expresses the
mass of a chemical that is present in a given volume of water. A milligram (one one-thousandth of
a gram) is equivalent to about 18 grains of table salt. A liter is equivalent to about one quart.
MICROBE OR MICROBIAL: Any minute, simple, single-celled form of life, especially one that
causes disease.
MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS: Microscopic organisms present in untreated water that can cause
waterborne diseases.
MICROBIOLOGICAL: Is a type of analysis in which a composite sample unacceptable.
MICROCENTRIFUGE: A small plastic container that is used to store small amounts of liquid.
MICROORGANISMS: Very small animals and plants that are too small to be seen by the naked
eye and must be observed using a microscope. Microorganisms in water include algae, bacteria,
viruses, and protozoa. Algae growing in surface waters can cause off-taste and odor by
producing the chemicals MIB and geosmin. Certain types of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa can
cause disease in humans. Bacteria are the most common microorganisms found in treated
drinking water. The great majority of bacteria are not harmful. In fact, humans would not be able
to live without the bacteria that inhabit the intestines. However, certain types of bacteria called
coliform bacteria can signal the presence of possible drinking water contamination.
MILLILITER: One one-thousandth of a liter. A liter is a little more than a quart. A milliliter is about
two drops from an eye dropper.
MOISTURE AND POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE: The combination of moisture and potassium
permanganate produces heat.
MOISTURE: If a material is hygroscopic, it must it be protected from water.
MOLE: Abbreviated mol : a measurement of an amount of substance; a single mole contains
approximately 6.022×1023 units or entities .A mole of water contains 6.022×1023 H2O
molecules.
MOLECULAR ORBITAL: Region where an electron can be found in a molecule (as opposed to
an atom).
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: The molecular mass (abbreviated Mr) of a substance, formerly also
called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the mass of one molecule of that substance,
relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). This
is distinct from the relative molecular mass of a molecule, which is the ratio of the mass of that
molecule to 1/12 of the mass of carbon 12 and is a dimensionless number. Relative molecular
mass is abbreviated to Mr.
MOLECULE: A chemically bonded number of atoms that are electrically neutral.
MOTTLING: High levels of fluoride may stain the teeth of humans.
MUD BALLS IN FILTER MEDIA: Is a possible result of an ineffective or inadequate filter
backwash.
Mud Cake: A film of mud drilling fluid that builds up on borehole walls adding to borehole stability
and limits the groundwater’s ability to enter the borehole while drilling.
Mud Caking: The process of building up the mud cake.
Mud Engineer: A specially trained individual who’s responsible for maintaining proper drilling fluid
densities and viscosity.
Mud Pit: Single or multiple subsurface or surface containment system used for settling cuttings
out of drilling fluid and for recirculation of drilling fluid.
MURIATIC ACID: An acid used to reduce pH and alkalinity. Also used to remove stain and scale.