He lives and thrives in the dark recesses of corruption and depravity. He is clothed with treachery and deceit; and arrogantly wears a crown of bigotry atop his head. The foul stench of hypocrisy exudes from his pores, while hatred spews from his lips. Like sun to a vampire, he abhors things like honesty, virtue, and humility. If they but touched his lily-white skin they would burn him like acid.
This is such a perfect reply Shuhak. I was going for whatever anyone would come up with. Scientifically specific would have been just fine. But between thee and me? You know what I was thinking of when I asked it. It amazes me how often you read my intentions. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I don't try to be oblique or opaque. It's just how I'm wired. Spelling it out in exquisitely excruciating detail is annoying so I don't do it.
I was going write "certain species of bacteria", but Shuhak's poetic answer could suggest I am being rude to micro-organisms as a whole, as some are biologically valuable and necessary...
Still, there are also pathogens that can only thrive in anoxic conditions.
Indeed m'dear. Please see my reply to Shuhak's splendid reading of my intention. I do appreciate your scientifically oriented reply too. I read once upon a time that some life can exist in boiling waters somewhere in the world. I expect some life forms can live in ice or scum or mud. Life adapts or dies. So much about everything amazes me all the time. Keeps you ticking! Thank you for your helpful reply Durdle! :) Oh thank you for the new word. I looked up "anoxic" which kinda sounds like toxc. "An abnormally low amount of oxygen in the tissues." I'm not quite sure what that means though. Where would such creature live? In mud?
I must admit I thought you might have some politician or other in mind!
The life in boiling waters you read about might be the bacteria that live on hot springs on geological structures called spreading-ridges, on the deep ocean-floor. These micro-organisms feed off the rich cocktail of metallic minerals dissolved in the water. They in turn are eaten by tiny animals just outside the hottest water, food for larger fish and anemones. When the marine geologists first examined these springs (by remote camera) they'd assumed the structures would be devoid of life, and were amazed and delighted to see they support their own complete ecosystems.
The meaning of "anoxic" you found is clearly medical but in fact it's also used in biology and geology to mean conditions very low in oxygen, or devoid of it. Anoxic conditions are not "toxic" as such though can also hold poisons; but the important point is that contain insufficient oxygen to support life, or to support only certain, specialised types. They can be in mud, yes; and the smelly black sludge at the bottom of a stagnant pond is an example of such conditions.
I would guess the definition you found is an effect of certain diseases preventing the tissues from obtaining the oxygen they need to operate properly.
Shuhak 