Arrange the following steps of decomposition in correct order of thei…

The correct answer is Option (3) → (B), (C), (A), (D)

(B) Fecal Matter — first. Decomposition starts with detritus: dead leaves, bark, flowers and dead animal remains, including fecal matter. Detritivores such as the earthworm break this detritus into smaller particles (fragmentation).

(C) Leaching — second. In leaching, water-soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.

(A) Humification — third. After bacterial and fungal enzymes break the detritus down (catabolism), a dark, amorphous substance called humus builds up. Humus resists microbes and decomposes very slowly.

(D) Mineralisation — last. The humus is further degraded by some microbes, and inorganic nutrients are released.

NCERT Extract:
Decomposition – “You may have heard of the earthworm being referred to as the farmer’s ‘friend’. This is so because they help in the breakdown of complex organic matter as well as in loosening of the soil. Similarly, decomposers break down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and nutrients and the process is called decomposition. Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark, flowers and dead remains of animals, including fecal matter, constitute detritus, which is the raw material for decomposition. The important steps in the process of decomposition are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralisation.”