organic matter
Decomposing biological stuff
Organic matter is material derived from living organisms—plants, animals, microbes—or their decomposition products.
In soil science, organic matter includes decaying leaves, dead roots, and humus that enriches fertility: The compost added organic matter to the garden.
In broader contexts, it refers to carbon-based biological material as distinct from rocks, minerals, or synthetic substances.
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
fermentation · breakdown · humus · detritus · decomposers · worms · maggots · leaf litter
Decayed organic soil matter
- topsoilNutrient-rich surface earth
- loamFertile soil mixture
- peatWaterlogged decomposed vegetation
- vermicompostWorm-digested organic material
soil amendment · earthworms · substrate · soil fertility · soil structure · aeration · humification · compost
Carbon-hydrogen organic compounds
- carbon compoundsMolecules containing carbon atoms
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
bitumen · coal · peat · charcoal · carbon cycle · carbon sequestration · graphite · biochar
Living material in aggregate
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- food webInterconnected predator-prey relationships
- carbon cycleBiogeochemical element circulation process
- nitrogen cycleBiogeochemical element circulation
energy flow · producer · consumer · detritivore · biotic · eutrophication · productivity
Soil nutrient supplement
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- mineralizationConversion to mineral form
micronutrients · trace elements · guano · bone meal · blood meal · fish meal · seaweed · green manure
Chemicals composing living matter
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- nucleic acidsBiopolymers carrying genetic code
lipids · carbohydrates · cellulose · lignin · chitin · flora · fauna · microorganisms
decay
Gradual organic breakdown
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
biodegradation · fermentation · breakdown · humus · detritus · decomposers · worms · maggots · leaf litter · mulch
humus
Decayed organic soil matter
vermicompost · soil amendment · earthworms · substrate · soil fertility · soil structure · aeration · humification · compost · manure
hydrocarbons
Carbon-hydrogen organic compounds
- carbon compoundsMolecules containing carbon atoms
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- fossil fuelsCombustible prehistoric organic deposits
petroleum · bitumen · coal · peat · charcoal · carbon cycle · carbon sequestration · graphite · biochar · tar
biomass
Living material in aggregate
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- food webInterconnected predator-prey relationships
- carbon cycleBiogeochemical element circulation process
nitrogen cycle · energy flow · producer · consumer · detritivore · biotic · eutrophication · productivity
fertilizer
Soil nutrient supplement
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
mineralization · micronutrients · trace elements · guano · bone meal · blood meal · fish meal · seaweed · green manure · cover crop
biomolecules
Chemicals composing living matter
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
nucleic acids · lipids · carbohydrates · cellulose · lignin · chitin · flora · fauna · microorganisms · bacteria
- land restorationreforestation, ecosystem restoration, revegetation, rewilding, land reclamation
- soil sciencesoil, topsoil, subsoil, clay, sand
- biotreatmentaeration, biofilter, bioreactor, wastewater treatment, nitrification
- seafloor sedimentssediment layers, seafloor, substrate, detritus, mud flats
- soil biologysoil bacteria, soil fungi, decomposers, mycorrhizae, soil health
- matteratoms, molecules, atom, molecule, element
organic matterminerals
Inorganic natural solids
rocks · mineral deposits · silicates · metals · mineral content
organic mattersynthetic material
Human-made substance, not natural
petrochemicals · plastics · industrial chemicals · synthetic fibers · nylon
organic mattermicroplastics
Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
heavy metals · glass · ceramics · concrete · asbestos
matter, material, organ, organic, matters, organism, inorganic, organisms, organically