👉 The Kentucky Fluid, also known as "Kentucky Jacket" or "Kentucky Sludge," is a complex mixture of organic compounds and inorganic salts found in the sediment of the Kentucky River and its tributaries. It is primarily composed of humic substances, which are large, complex organic molecules derived from the decomposition of plant and animal matter. These compounds give the fluid its distinctive dark, viscous appearance and contribute to its high concentration of dissolved organic carbon. Additionally, the fluid contains various inorganic salts, including sulfates, chlorides, and phosphates, which play roles in nutrient cycling and microbial activity in the aquatic environment. The Kentucky Fluid is significant in limnology and environmental science due to its impact on water quality, sediment chemistry, and the overall ecosystem dynamics of the Kentucky River basin.
