Mafic Definition In geology, “mafic” is a term that describes an igneous rock that has an abundance of darker color minerals.

Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs) Maximum Soil Screening Levels (MSLs): MSLs are a list of risk-based hydrocarbon concentrations for soil pollution evaluations, that is developed by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. These screening levels are based on the Leaking Underground Fuel Tanks (LUFT) Manual, for cleaning up soil contamination from leaking USTs. However, MSLs…

Dilatancy “Dilatancy” is the increase in the bulk volume of a soil substance during deformation. Dilatancy is caused by the change from a close-pack structure to an open-pack structure.

“Test” Definition in Paleontology In the field of paleontology, a subsidiary of geology, the term “test” refers to the external hard part of an invertebrate.

Anion Anion: In the fields of chemistry and geochemistry, an anion is a negatively charged ion. The oppositely charged ion is a cation.    

Porosity (n) “Porosity” (n), in the geological engineering field, is a percentage value that represents the bulk volume of a rock or soil, that is occupied by the void space within. Porosity (n) Formula Porosity (n) = [(Volume of Voids ÷ Total Volume) x 100%]