TERMIUM Plus®

From: Translation Bureau

On social media

Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.

MICROBIAL DECOMPOSITION [7 records]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2016-02-24

English

Subject field(s)
  • Microbiology and Parasitology
  • Ecology (General)
  • Effects of Pollution
DEF

The uncontrolled decomposition of organic matter due to anaerobic microbial action, with the production of offensive odour.

CONT

The anaerobic decomposition of sugars and other carbohydrates is called fermentation, and that of proteins is called putrefaction. ... Putrefaction ... makes water bubble with foul smells and makes it unlivable for fish or other oxygen-breathing animals. It may be regarded as the worst condition of bacterial pollution.

OBS

putrefaction: term and definition standardized by ISO.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Microbiologie et parasitologie
  • Écologie (Généralités)
  • Effets de la pollution
DEF

Décomposition incontrôlée des matières organiques due à l'action microbienne anaérobie, avec production d'une odeur nauséabonde.

OBS

putréfaction : terme et définition normalisés par l'ISO.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Microbiología y parasitología
  • Ecología (Generalidades)
  • Efectos de la polución
DEF

Descomposición incontrolada de la materia orgánica debido a la acción microbiana anaeróbica con producción de un olor nauseabundo.

Save record 1

Record 2 2014-11-04

English

Subject field(s)
  • Animal Anatomy
  • Birds
CONT

The ceca are a pair of blind-ended projections from the intestine at the point of transition from the ileum to the large intestine. This is the site of absorption of water, microbial decomposition of cellulose and digestion of proteins and carbohydrates.

OBS

Plural form : ceca.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Anatomie animale
  • Oiseaux
CONT

Deux tubes en cul-de-sac, les cæcums, s'ouvrent à la limite du gros intestin; ils sont très petits ou, au contraire de grande taille. C'est l'endroit de résorption pour l'eau et les protéines et le champ d'activité de la flore bactérienne.

OBS

Pluriel : cæcums.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Anatomía animal
  • Aves
Save record 2

Record 3 2011-12-12

English

Subject field(s)
  • Peat and Peat Bogs
  • Biogeography
  • Soil Science
DEF

The partial decomposition of vegetable matter under waterlogged and oxygen-deficient conditions.

CONT

Coal forms when plants are deposited in swamps, then submerged rapidly enough to limit oxidation but allow microbial decomposition. In the Pocahontas Formation, these conditions were met in fluvial settings as base level rise resulted in flooding and the formation of backswamps on extensive braided river floodplains. These backswamps were shallow and of a constant depth to allow enough plant mass and its covering of sediment to accumulate as undisturbed peat. This process, known as peatification, continued as decomposing plants were progressively covered with sediments...

OBS

peat formation: term used at Natural Resources Canada - Earth Sciences Sector.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Tourbières
  • Biogéographie
  • Science du sol
DEF

Processus de constitution d'une tourbière.

CONT

La formation de la tourbe, au cours de l'existence de la tourbière, peut être appelée turbigenèse, turfigenèse, turbification ou tourbification. C'est l'élément fondamental de l'existence de la tourbière. C'est l'accumulation progressive de matière organique non décomposée (essentiellement végétale) et son tassement qui contribue au fil du temps à former la tourbe. La tourbe se développe en général dans un milieu presque constamment gorgé d'eau, sous un climat frais et humide, conditions très défavorables à la décomposition de la matière organique.

OBS

turbification : terme en usage à Ressources naturelles Canada - Secteur des sciences de la Terre.

Spanish

Save record 3

Record 4 2008-05-28

English

Subject field(s)
  • Plant Biology
CONT

After microbial decomposition, plant detritus was rapidly incorporated into sediment.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Biologie végétale
DEF

Résidu provenant de la désagrégation des végétaux.

OBS

Terme habituellement utilisé au pluriel.

Key term(s)
  • détritus végétaux

Spanish

Save record 4

Record 5 2006-06-01

English

Subject field(s)
  • Geochemistry
  • Soil Science
  • Mineralogy
DEF

The conversion of an element from an organic form to an inorganic state as a result of microbial decomposition.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Géochimie
  • Science du sol
  • Minéralogie
DEF

Conversion, à l'intérieur du sol, de substances organiques en substances minérales sous l'effet de la décomposition microbienne.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Geoquímica
  • Ciencia del suelo
  • Mineralogía
DEF

Proceso edáfico, fundamentalmente biológico, de transformación de residuos animales y vegetales en sustancias minerales inorgánicas sencillas y solubles.

Save record 5

Record 6 1992-03-12

English

Subject field(s)
  • Soil Science
CONT

Soil organic matters consist of plants, animals, and microbial residue at various stages of decomposition, the microorganisms themselves and the more resistant soil humate.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Science du sol

Spanish

Save record 6

Record 7 1985-05-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • Air Pollution
CONT

The decomposition of fixed carbon, both allochthonous and autochthonous organic matter, is in large part determined by microbial processes in the water column and in the surface layers of sediment.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Pollution de l'air

Spanish

Save record 7

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Display options

Change the order of display of the official languages of Canada
Option to display the non-official languages (Spanish or Portuguese)
Display definitions, contexts, etc., on records

Features

GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)

Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: