<P> Decantation is a process for the separation of mixtures of immiscible liquids or of a liquid and a solid mixture such as a suspension . The layer closer to the top of the container--the less dense of the two liquids, or the liquid from which the precipitate or sediment has settled out--is poured off, leaving the other component or the more dense liquid of the mixture behind . An incomplete separation is witnessed during the separation of two immiscible liquids . </P> <P> Decantation can be used to separate immiscible liquids that have different densities . For example, when a mixture of water and oil are present in a beaker, a distinct layer between the two consistency is formed, with the oil layer floating on top of the water layer . This separation can be done by pouring oil out of the container, leaving water behind . Generally, this technique gives an incomplete separation as it is difficult to pour off all of the top layer without pouring out some parts of the bottom layer . </P>

What is meant by the terms decantation and filtration