Carbon and Microorganisms Working Together

Carbon and Microorganisms Working Together

The microorganisms found in the soil are responsible for breaking down organic matter of all kinds (e.g., grass roots, plant parts, animal tissues, stolon, etc.) in a process known as biodegradation. As this degraded organic material (known as humus) is being formed, microorganisms consume a large portion of the decomposed carbon to receive vital energy for growth, and they release the remaining carbon into the atmosphere in the form of CO2.