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The three-stage decomposition process of organic matter: How do they become new life?
In our environment, countless amounts of organic matter are broken down every day by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. This process, called biodegradation, is often viewed as natural and spontaneous, rather than human-driven. The process of biodegradation can be divided into three main stages: biodegradation, biofragmentation and assimilation. These stages are interconnected, ultimately transforming organic matter into new life forms.
The key to biodegradation is the time factor. Some organic matter can decompose in a matter of days, while some plastics may take thousands of years.
The first stage is biodeterioration, which usually refers to the mechanical damage of the material structure. The process begins when the material is exposed to abiotic factors from the external environment, such as sunlight, temperature, and chemicals. These factors can weaken the material's structure and create conditions for further degradation.
The next second stage is biofragmentation, which refers to the breakdown of materials by microorganisms. This process can take place in both aerobic and anaerobic environments, and due to the presence of oxygen, the microorganisms convert the organic matter into smaller molecules or polymer fragments. The products generated in the future will further enter the next stage.
As shown in the biofracture process, the presence or absence of oxygen will affect the rate of microbial degradation and the types of gases produced.
Finally, in the assimilation phase, the products from the biosynthesis are incorporated into the interior of the microbial cell. These products help microorganisms grow and reproduce, allowing them to continue driving the cycle of life in the ecosystem. The products of microbial transformation may participate in the construction of cell structures and may even be further converted into ATP required for energy supply.
The overall process shows how matter in nature plays an important role in the cycle and is transformed into new life.
While all compounds have the potential to undergo biodegradation, the actual rate of biodegradation is affected by several factors, such as light, moisture, oxygen, and temperature. Each material has a different biodegradability, for example vegetables decompose within a few days, while glass and some plastics may take thousands of years. In the 1990s, the European Union set a standard requiring that more than 90% of raw materials must be converted into carbon dioxide, water and minerals within six months.
The emergence of biodegradable technology means that plastic degradation is no longer limited to traditional landfills. Biodegradable plastics are an important advance because they break down into low molecular weight, non-toxic byproducts after use. This type of material can be decomposed by microorganisms, which makes it possible to include it in the ranks of environmentally friendly materials.
Such technology not only improves the recycling rate of resources, but also provides protection for our environment.
In addition to plastics, biodegradable technology is also widely used in the medical field, such as biodegradable polymers are used in drug packaging and transportation. These polymers, such as lactic acid, slowly degrade in the body and do not need to be re-harvested, avoiding the need for a second surgery.
However, it is important to note that the difference between biodegradation and composting is that biodegradation is a spontaneous process in nature, whereas composting is an organized process driven by humans. Composting not only creates healthy soil, but also releases beneficial microorganisms. Widespread misunderstandings about the biodegradability of plastics have influenced many social behaviors, such as incorrect waste sorting, thereby reducing effective resource recycling.
Understanding these processes is vital because they directly impact our environmental policies and our population's ability to deal with waste.
In terms of environment and society, plastic pollution has caused health risks and ecological crises. Biodegradation technology can address this problem to a certain extent, but current technology still faces challenges, including the balance between time efficiency and product performance. Currently, the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products has also promoted the advancement of these technologies, and different countries and companies must be responsible for their production and use.
With the continuous advancement of technology, can biodegradable materials in the future successfully replace traditional plastics and return to nature?
