biodegradation
Nature's recycling process
Biodegradation is the breakdown of materials by living organisms, typically bacteria, fungi, or other microbes.
Organic matter like food scraps biodegrades quickly in compost; synthetic materials like plastics resist biodegradation for centuries.
The term appears frequently in environmental discussions about waste management and pollution: We need packaging with faster biodegradation rates.
Decayed organic fertilizer
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- vermicompostingDecomposition using earthworms
- green wasteBiodegradable plant material
- worm castingsEarthworm digestive output
leaf mold · mulch · organic waste · soil amendment · compost heap · windrow · food scraps · yard waste
Material from living sources
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
- ligninStructural plant polymer
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
lipids · starch · animal waste · food waste · paper · cardboard · natural fibers · bioplastics
Breakdown into simpler parts
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- mineralizationConversion to mineral form
- biotransformationMetabolic chemical conversion
oxidation · enzymatic · catabolism · metabolism · digestion · fragmentation · assimilation · leaching
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- decomposersOrganisms breaking down dead material
- microbiotaResident microscopic organisms
protozoa · archaea · mycelium · detritivores · microbial · nitrogen-fixing · biofilm · aerobic
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- soil healthGround's biological vitality
- carbon cycleBiogeochemical element circulation process
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
- waste reductionDecreasing material for disposal
ecofriendly · recycling · circular economy · pollution reduction · greenhouse gas · methane · carbon sequestration · natural decay
Petroleum released into water
- toxic wasteDangerous industrial refuse
- wastewater treatmentCleaning used liquid for reuse
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
- environmental cleanupRestoring polluted areas
compost
Decayed organic fertilizer
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- vermicompostingDecomposition using earthworms
- green wasteBiodegradable plant material
worm castings · leaf mold · mulch · organic waste · soil amendment · compost heap · windrow · food scraps · yard waste · curing
organic matter
Material from living sources
carbohydrates · lipids · starch · animal waste · food waste · paper · cardboard · natural fibers · bioplastics · manure
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- mineralizationConversion to mineral form
biotransformation · oxidation · enzymatic · catabolism · metabolism · digestion · fragmentation · assimilation · leaching · respiration
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- decomposersOrganisms breaking down dead material
microbiota · protozoa · archaea · mycelium · detritivores · microbial · nitrogen-fixing · biofilm · aerobic · anaerobic
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- soil healthGround's biological vitality
- carbon cycleBiogeochemical element circulation process
- sustainabilityCapacity to endure indefinitely
waste reduction · ecofriendly · recycling · circular economy · pollution reduction · greenhouse gas · methane · carbon sequestration · natural decay · environmental impact
oil spill
Petroleum released into water
- toxic wasteDangerous industrial refuse
- wastewater treatmentCleaning used liquid for reuse
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
environmental cleanup · industrial waste · landfill · sewage treatment
- environmental scienceecology, air quality, ecosystem, water quality, ecosystems
- Natural Processesphotosynthesis, decomposition, evaporation, erosion, carbon cycle
- deterioratedecay, rot, deteriorate, decompose, corrode
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, deterioration, corrosion, rotting
- sustainabilityreduce, reuse, recycle, sustainable yield, recycling programs
- decomposersfungi, decomposers, decomposer, mushrooms, earthworms
biodegradationincineration
Burning waste to ash
combustion · pyrolysis · burning · photodegradation · oxidation
biodegradationpersistence
Continuing despite difficulty
permanence · bioaccumulation · accumulation · durability · stability
biodegradationbiosynthesis
Living production of molecules
growth · anabolism · formation · synthesis · biogenesis
degrade, degradation, biodegradable, biodegrade, biodegrades, biodegradables, biodegraded, biodegrading, biodegradability