Which one of the following processes during decomposition is correctly described?
leaching-Water soluble inorganic nutrients rise to the top layers of soil
Fragmentation - Carried out by organisms such as earthworm
Humification - Leads to the accumulation of a dark coloured substance humus which undergoes microbial action at a very fast
rate
Catabolism - Last step in the decomposition under fully anaerobic condition
Detritus is broken down into smaller particles by detrivores, such as earthworms. The term for this process is fragmentation.
Humification results in the accumulation of humus, a substance with a dark colour and a very slow rate of microbial activity.
Catabolism is the third stage of decomposition, and it takes place in anaerobic conditions through the action of fungi and bacteria.
Through the process of leaching, water-soluble inorganic nutrients precipitate as inaccessible salts into the soil horizon.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.