(1) Denotes the absence of oxygen, as in a body of water (2) Of, relating to, or affected with anoxia; greatly deficient in oxygen; oxygenless as with water ADVANCE\x 540
Deficient in oxygen Anoxic areas are sometimes found a few inches down in silt and muds, where organic matter has settles and has been broken down the bacteria The upper layers of silt act as a barrier against oxygen transfer to the lower layers and so the muds become devoid of oxygen Such situations can often occur in the bottom of heavily stocked ponds with a poor water turnover rate or beneath cages The build up of such anoxic areas can lead to the production, and release into the water of Hydrogen Sulphide which is toxic to fish See also Azoic zone