PARTICULATE ORGANIC MATTER (POM)

Material of plant or animal origin that is suspended in water. The amount of this type of material suspended in water can be estimated by first removing the suspended material from the water by filtration, followed by either a direct measurement of the amount of carbon retained on the filter or by estimating the amount of carbon present from the weight lost upon heating the filter in excess of 500°C (932°F). Generally, the greater the amount of particulate matter present, the more severe the water pollution problem.