What happens to the decomposition rate when detritus is rich in lignin and chitin?

The correct answer is It is slower.

Key Points:

• The following variables influence the rate of decomposition:
  • Chemical make-up of detritus,
  • pH,
  • Temperature,
  • Moisture, and
  • Aeration of the soil.
• Decomposition proceeds more quickly when the soil is rich in nitrogen.
• The rate of decomposition is accelerated by the presence of water-soluble carbohydrates.
• The degradation process is slowed down by the presence of big complex polymers in the debris, like lignin and chitin.

Additional Information:

• The breakdown of dead organic matter into more fundamental organic or inorganic components including carbon dioxide, water, simple sugars, and mineral salts is known as decomposition, also referred to as rot.
• The process, which is a part of the nutrient cycle, is essential for recycling the scant material that occupies space in the biosphere.
• When a living organism passes away, the body begins to decompose.
• Animals like worms also contribute to the breakdown of the chemical molecules.
• Organisms that carry out this process are known as decomposers or detritivores.