WATER TERMS

term	description
OCEANOGRAPHY	The science relating to the study of the ocean.
OCEANS	The great bodies of salt water which cover more than two-thirds of the earth's surface.
OLD-GROWTH	Wood from trees found in mature forests. In many cases, the trees have never been exposed to logging operations. In the Northwest U.S., only about 10% of these biologically rich areas are left. It is difficult to know which wood is from old-growth areas when buying wood locally.
OPERABLE UNIT	Term for each of a number of separate activities undertaken as part of a Superfund site cleanup. A typical operable unit would be the removal of drums and tanks from the surface of a site.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE	1. Activities conducted at a site after a Superfund site action is completed to ensure that the action is effective and operating properly. 2. Actions taken after construction to assure that facilities constructed to treat waste water will be properly operated, maintained, and managed to achieve efficiency levels and prescribed effluent limitations in an optimum manner.
ORGANIC CHEMICALS/COMPOUNDS	Animal or plant- produced substances containing mainly carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, such as benzene and toluene.
ORGANIC WASTE	Natural materials, such as food and yard waste, that decompose naturally.
ORGANISM	Any living thing; either plant or animal.
ORIFlCE	As used in water studies may flow. An orifice is used for the measurement or control of water.
OUTFALL	A designated outfall pursuant to a commission issued discharge permit or NPDES permit.
OUTWASH	A deposit of sand and gravel formed by streams of meltwater flowing from a glacier.
OCEAN THERMAL GRADIENTS	The temperature difference between deep and surface water in the oceans.
OUTGAS	The emitting of fumes into the air.

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