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sapropel

(sap′rə pel′)

noun

black, decaying, organic bottom deposits in some lakes, rivers, etc. that lack oxygen and are rich in hydrogen sulfide

Origin: < sapro- + Gr pēlos, mud, slime

Related Forms:

sapropelic adjective

See sapropel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A mud rich in organic matter formed at the bottom of a body of water.
A fluid slime found in swamps as a product of putrefaction.

Origin:

Origin: sapro-

Origin: + Greek pēlos, mud

.

Related Forms:

sapˌro·pelˈic (-pĕlˈĭk, -pēˈlĭk) adjective

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