sapropel

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English

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Etymology

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From German Sapropel, corresponding to sapro- + Ancient Greek πηλός (pēlós, mud, clay).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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sapropel (countable and uncountable, plural sapropels)

  1. (geology) An aquatic sludge-like sediment rich in organic matter formed in oxygen-free areas at the bottom of lakes, seas etc.
    • 2011, Chris Stringer, The Origin of Our Species, Penguin, published 2012, page 47:
      Another instance in which Mediterranean sapropels have provided clues about events deep within the African continent is the ‘greening’ of the Sahara about 120,000 years ago.

Derived terms

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Anagrams

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Romanian

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French sapropel.

Noun

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sapropel n (plural sapropeluri)

  1. sapropel

Declension

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