The process of physical and chemical breakdown of complex organic *** into inorganic raw materials (CO2, H2O, minerals) for recycling is called decomposition. It is carried out by organism remain are called detritus.
There are types decomposition process occurs.
(a) Fragmentation
(b) leaching
(c) Catabolism
(a) Fragmentation of Detritus:-
Small invertebrates animals called detritivores comes out in highly pulverised state in their **.
(b) Leaching:-
Part of soluble substances present in the fragmented and decomposing detritus get leached to upper layers of soil by percolating water.
(c) Catabolism:-
It is carried out by saprotrophic bacteria. They secrete digestive enzymes over the fragmented detritus. The enzymes change the complex organic compounds into Simple compounds.
Catabolic action forms two types of products-
humus and inorganic the process involved in formation of these products are respectively called humification and mineralisation.
