organic decay
Biodegradation at work
Organic decay is the natural process by which dead plant and animal matter breaks down into simpler substances.
Bacteria, fungi, and other organisms decompose organic material, returning nutrients to the soil.
The term appears in biology, ecology, and discussions of composting: The forest floor was rich with organic decay.
Figuratively, it can describe gradual deterioration of institutions or values.
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- rotten fruitDecomposing edible plant matter
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- compost heapDecomposing organic material stack
mold · fungus · bacteria · humus · mulch · worms · soil · earthy · musty · breakdown · putrid · ferment · food waste · leaves · corpse · carrion · maggots · mushrooms
- decayrot, wilt, crumble, decomposition, fade
- soil sciencesoil, topsoil, subsoil, clay, sand
- chemical breakdowndecomposition, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, combustion, photolysis
- fossilizationfossilization, petrification, mineralization, carbonization, cast
organic decaypreservation
Maintaining something's condition
conservation · mummification · embalming · fossilization · curing
organic decaygrowth
Increase in size
regeneration · flourishing · vitality · biosynthesis · healing
organic decaychemical synthesis
Creating substances through reactions
polymerization · manufacturing · industrial processing · plasticization
organic, decay, organ, organs, organically, inorganic, organism, organisms, organise