Supernatant

Supernatant is the adjective for any liquid above non-soluble solids/precipitates and it means floating above (see http://www.answers.com/supernatant). Supernate (noun) refers to the actual liquid or the clear fluid above a sediment or precipitate. The solids may reach the bottom of a container by means of settling, sedimentation, precipitation, or centrifugation. Use of the word supernatant (adjective) in scientific papers when referring to supernate (the noun) has been a common engraved mistake.