boue

Boue is the French word for mud, describing a soft, wet mixture of soil, water, and organic matter. In geotechnical and environmental contexts, boue refers to a paste-like material with a substantial solid content, distinct from both dry soil and clear water.

Boue forms when soil is disturbed or water-saturated, such as during heavy rainfall, floods, riverbank erosion, or near construction sites. Its texture can range from clay-rich, sticky mud to more fluid suspensions containing silt and sand. The composition and water content determine its rheology, cohesion, and how readily it can flow or settle.

In nature, boue can transport sediments, nutrients, and contaminants, and may deposit as mud layers in rivers, wetlands, and estuaries. It often exhibits non-Newtonian behavior: thick at rest but flowing under shear, with viscosity that depends on stress, temperature, and composition. Excessive boue deposition can reduce water clarity, lower oxygen levels, and smother benthic habitats.

Ecological and engineering considerations are central to boue management. In rivers and harbors, sedimentation from boue can alter channels and affect navigation. In construction and mining areas, boue handling includes dredging, sedimentation basins, and dewatering. Understanding its properties helps predict flow, deposition, slope stability, and the potential impact on infrastructure.

Etymology-wise, boue is the standard French term for mud, reflecting its widespread use in French-language science and environmental discourse.