What is the role of decomposition in the nutrient cycle and how do bacteria decompose organic matter?
Bacteria, fungi and a few other microorganisms initiate the process of decomposition and are known as decomposers. They feed on dead organisms to survive. The decaying and dead animals and plants serve as the raw material which, on the breakdown, produces nutrients, carbon dioxide, and water, etc. Decomposition by soil organisms is at the center of the transformation and cycling of nutrients through the environment. Decomposition liberates carbon and nutrients from the complex material making up life forms-putting them back into biological circulation so they are available to plants and other organisms. Decomposition of organic matter involves four component processes: photo-oxidation, leaching, combination, and mineralization. Arthropods are key factors influencing combination and mineralization.
@ RK, decomposition play a critical role in nutrient cycle as decomposers break apart dead organisms into simpler inorganic materials, making nutrients available to primary producers.
Bacteria are chemical decomposers because they use chemicals in their bodies to break down organic matter. Organic matter decomposition is a process, which includes mostly physical breakdown and biochemical transformation of complex organic molecules into simpler organic and inorganic molecules. Bacteria break down (or decompose) dead organisms, animal waste, and plant litter to obtain nutrients. But bacteria don't just eat nature's waste, they recycle it. The process of decomposition releases chemicals (such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) that can be used to build new plants and animals.
Decomposition by soil organisms is at the center of the transformation and cycling of nutrients through the environment. Decomposition liberates carbon and nutrients from the complex material making up life forms-putting them back into biological circulation so they are available to plants and other organisms. Decomposition of organic matter is a process, which includes mostly physical breakdown and biochemical transformation of complex organic molecules into simpler organic and inorganic molecules. During the decomposition process, microorganisms convert the carbon structures of fresh residues into transformed carbon products in the soil. There are many different types of organic molecules in soil. Some are simple molecules that have been synthesized directly from plants or other living organisms. Micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes even though they go unnoticed in your compost pile are responsible for most of the organic material breakdown. They are chemical decomposers because they use chemicals in their bodies to break down organic matter. Microbes carry out the decomposition of organic matter by utilizing carbon and nitrogen as the energy sources along with oxygen and water, ensuring the production of water, carbon dioxide, heat, and soil-enriching compost. Bacteria are a group of microorganisms that live in a wide variety of habitat in our environment. They feed on dead and decaying parts of plants and animals, therefore they are known as decomposers. The decomposers complete the cycle by returning essential molecules to the plant producers. Decomposers have the ability to break down dead organisms into smaller particles and create new compounds.
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