Definition

A type of mud that is rich in organic material and forms at the bottom of lakes or swamps, often as a result of decaying plants and animals.

Example

The researchers collected samples of sapropel from the lake to study its nutrient content.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about sapropel?

No, what is it?

It's this rich mud that forms at the bottom of swamps and lakes, full of organic matter.

That sounds interesting! I didn't know such a thing existed.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sapropel is formed from "sapro-" (from Greek "sapros", meaning rotten or decayed) and "pel" (from Greek "pelos", meaning mud or sediment). The word describes a type of mud that is rich in organic matter, often resulting from the decay of plant and animal material.

Memory Tip

Think of 'rotten' ('sapro-') material that has turned into 'mud' ('pel') — that's why sapropel refers to organic-rich sediment.

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