Enzymes digest the organic matter outside their cells. This is known as extracellular digestion as it happens outside the cells. The products of digestion are absorbed by the bacteria and fungi.

(B) The transformations of organic to inorganic carbon through decomposition and photosynthesis continue in rivers; here, CO2 will re-exchange with the atmosphere (degassing), or be converted to ...

A study from our group spanning 18 months found no significant differences in the extent of decomposition between ... over the longer term would be that carbon would be held up in soils for ...