oligotrophic
adjective
ol·i·go·tro·phic
ˈä-li-gō-ˈtrō-fik 
ˈō-;
ə-ˈli-gə-
: having a deficiency of plant nutrients that is usually accompanied by an abundance of dissolved oxygen
clear oligotrophic lakes
Examples of oligotrophic in a Sentence
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In lakes that are clear, such as the Great Lakes and natural oligotrophic lakes of the north, baits that emulate the natural color of the baitfish in the system should be tried first.
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David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Because few rivers flow into the Mediterranean, the sea is considered nutrient-starved and described as containing little phytoplanktonic life—oligotrophic in scientific parlance.
—Paul Greenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2022
Luisa Falcón, a microbial ecologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, has studied oligotrophic microbes all over the world.
—Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 12 July 2021
Mashapaug Lake is oligotrophic — largely free of nutrients — so the water is very clear and paddlers can see down about 20 feet.
—Frank Cohen, courant.com, 18 May 2017
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David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Because few rivers flow into the Mediterranean, the sea is considered nutrient-starved and described as containing little phytoplanktonic life—oligotrophic in scientific parlance.
—Paul Greenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2022
Luisa Falcón, a microbial ecologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, has studied oligotrophic microbes all over the world.
—Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 12 July 2021
Mashapaug Lake is oligotrophic — largely free of nutrients — so the water is very clear and paddlers can see down about 20 feet.
—Frank Cohen, courant.com, 18 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Oligotrophic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oligotrophic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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