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Detritus
In
biology
,
detritus
is dead particulate
organic material
(as opposed to
dissolved organic material
). It typically includes the bodies or fragments of dead
organisms
as well as
fecal
material. Detritus is typically colonized by communities of
microorganisms
which act to
decompose
(or
remineralize
) the material. In terrestrial
ecosystems
, it is encountered as
leaf litter
and other organic matter intermixed with
soil
, which is referred to as
humus
. Detritus of
aquatic ecosystems
is organic material suspended in
water
and piles up on seabed floors which is referred to as
marine snow
.
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