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Leach
01
the process by which liquid passes through a material, dissolving and carrying away soluble components
Examples
After each heavy rain, technicians measured soil leach to evaluate fertilizer runoff.
Intensive irrigation accelerated the leach of nitrates into the aquifer.
to leach
01
to extract or wash out soluble substances from a material by passing a liquid through it
Examples
Acid rain can leach calcium from concrete structures over time.
Manufacturers leach metals from ore using chemical solutions.
02
to gradually penetrate, often carrying dissolved substances
Examples
Moisture leached into the basement walls after the foundation crack formed.
Tannins from the oak barrel leached into the aging wine.
03
to cause a liquid to percolate through a substance, dissolving or carrying components
Examples
The chemist leached the soil sample with acid to test for heavy metals.
Gardeners leach compost heaps with water to collect nutrient-rich runoff.
