sapropel

American  

[sap-ruh-pel] / ˈsæp rəˌpɛl /

noun

1. mud consisting chiefly of decomposed organic matter formed at the bottom of a stagnant sea or lake.

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sapropel British  

/ ˈsæprəˌpɛl /

noun

1. an unconsolidated sludge consisting of the decomposed remains of aquatic organisms, esp algae, that accumulates at the bottoms of lakes and oceans

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sapropel Scientific  

/ săp′rə-pĕl′ /

1. An unconsolidated ooze consisting mainly of putrefied plant remains and found in anaerobic areas at the bottom of swamps, lakes, and shallow seas.

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Other Word Forms

• sapropelic adjective

Etymology

Origin of sapropel

1905–10; sapro- + -pel < Greek pēlós mud