Decay & Recycling:1. Why do things decay?
Materials decay because they are broken down and digested by
microorganisms. In warm and moist conditions, microorganisms can
digest quicker, however, if it is TOO hot, the decomposition
(digestion) process will stop. Many of these microorganisms need
oxygen to decompose materials and the more there is available, the
faster it will decompose. Bacteria and fungi are the main groups of
decomposer.
Therefore, the Main Factors that affect decaying:
Moisture Temperature Amount of Oxygen available
Decomposers are a group of microorganisms that include fungi and
bacteria. They feed on waste droppings and dead organisms. They
digest them and use some of the nutrients. They also release waste
products which include carbon dioxide and water, which plants can
use.
2. Why are decay processes so important?
Decay is an essential life process that digests food or waste
matter and recycles materials. Materials from living things decay
because they are digested (broken down) by microorganisms. These
microorganisms cause decay by releasing enzymes that break down
compounds to be absorbed by their cells. This leads to a very
stable community of organisms.
The Process:
Many trees shed leaves, each year, and most animals produce
droppings at least once a day. Animals die as well. A group of
organisms known as the decomposers then break down the waste and
the dead animals and the plants. Detritus feeders, such as maggots
and some types of worms, often start the process of decaying. They
use some of the nutrients to grow and reproduce. They also produce
waste that is useful to plants, such as carbon dioxide and water,
that can be used to make food (photosynthesis) converting these
into oxygen and glucose (sugar). In this process decomposers return
the nutrients and other materials to the environment. The same
material is recycled over and over again and through this the
decomposers clean up the environment by removing all the bodies of
all dead organisms.
The process is extremely important because this process recycles
our waste and is used in many recycling processes such as sewage
treatment. They use microorganisms to break down the waste we
produce. This makes it safe to release into rivers or the sea. They
are also used in gardens as fertilisers.
3. How are materials recycled?
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19751004&id=WwgqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JCkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6663,1725584
http://www.technologystudent.com/prddes1/recyc3.html
http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/139077-how-are-materials-recycled/
http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/garbage-recycling/yardwaste.asp
http://www.recyclenow.com/what_can_i_do_today/can_it_be_recycled/diy_and_garden/garden_waste.html
