humic shale

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Word: Humic Shale

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Humic shale is a type of rock that is rich in humic acids. Humic acids are natural substances that come from the decomposition of organic matter, like plants and animals. This type of shale is often dark in color and can be found in places where there has been a lot of organic material over a long period of time.

Usage Instructions:

• When to Use: You would typically use "humic shale" when discussing geology, soil science, or environmental studies.
• How to Use: It is used as a noun in sentences.

Example Sentence:

"The farmers were excited to discover that their land was underlain by humic shale, which would improve the soil quality and help their crops grow better."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might talk about the importance of humic shale in carbon sequestration, soil fertility, or its role in the formation of certain types of fossil fuels.

Word Variants:

• Humic (adjective): Pertaining to humic substances, such as humic acids.
• Shale (noun): A type of sedimentary rock that is formed from compacted mud and clay.

Different Meanings:

• Humic: Can refer to any substance that contains humic acids, not just shale.
• Shale: Can refer to other types of shale that do not contain humic acids.

Synonyms:

• Organic shale: A more general term that can include humic shale but also refers to other types of shale that contain organic matter.
• Coal shale: A specific type of shale that is often rich in organic materials and can lead to coal formation.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "humic shale," but you might encounter phrases like "to dig deep" in discussions about geological studies, which metaphorically implies looking for deeper understanding.

Summary:

In summary, "humic shale" is a specific type of rock important in agriculture and environmental science due to its richness in humic acids.

Academic

Noun

1. shale that is rich in humic acids