That fraction of the soil that includes plant and animal residues at various stages of decomposition, cells and tissues of soil organisms, and substances synthesized by the soil population.

Material containing molecules based on Carbon, usually referring to soil organic matter.

The fraction of the soil that includes plant and animal residues at various stages of decomposition and substances synthesized by the soil populations of various organisms.

Mass of matter that contains living organisms or non-living material derived from organisms. Sometime refers to the organic constituents of soil. Also see soil organic matter.

Decaying plant, microbe and animal remains.

Perspiration, urine, saliva, suntan oil, cosmetics, lotions, dead skin and similar debris introduced to water by users and the environment.

Carbon-based materials of either plant or animal origin, which occur in all stages of decomposition in soils.

Perspiration, urine, saliva, suntan oil, cosmetics, lotion, dead skin, leaves, and similar debris introduced to water by swimmers and the environment.

Matter, such as humus*, which consists of organic carbon rich deposits formed by the decay of once living material, which has been buried.

dead and decaying plants, animals

The sum of all plant and animal material, living or dead, that is mixed into the soil. Living microorganisms are part of soil organic matter, and so is the humus they produce. Living and dead plant roots are also part of the soil organic matter. Organic matter promotes good soil structure, reduces compaction, improves rates of movement of air and water through the soil, increases the water storage capability for plant use and provides nitrogen and other elements needed by plants.

The part of the soil that includes the decomposing remains of plants and animals, as well as the product of complete decomposition, known as humus

The proportion of the soil that contains material derived from the products of plants and animals, which are broken down to varying degrees and provide an important source of nutrients.

Materials rich in carbon of either plant or animal origin, which exist in all stages of decomposition of soils.

material that was produced by plants but is now dead.

Compounds containing carbon often derived from living organisms.

any material derived from a living organism (such as peat moss, ground bark, compost, or manure) which can be dug into soil to improve fertility, moisture retention, and texture.

Soil particles created by the decomposition of plant tissues. Soil OM has a high adsorptive capacity (higher than clay) and offers resistance to leaching of soil water and dissolved molecules.

The fraction of the soil composed of carbon based materials often thought to be primarily responsible for the sorption of most chemicals (Lyman et al, 1982). Measured as a percentage of dry weight.

Plant and animal material that is in the process of decomposing. When it has fully decomposed, it is called “humus.” This humus is important for soil structure because it holds individual mineral particles together in clusters.

Matter containing compounds of plant or animal origin, measured by organic carbon content.

Energy rich chemical compounds containing carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and usually oxygen (O). Originally created by plants or bacteria from water and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis (using light energy) or - less commonly- by chemosynthesis (using energy from chemicals).

The matter derived from living or once-living organisms that gradually can be broken down to yield important plant nutrients composed of materials which contain carbon-to-carbon bonds and are biodegradable; includes paper, wood, food scraps, yard trimmings and leaves. Organic matter content is said to be the single most important indicator of a soil's fertility.

Soil material deriving from living material, composed of carbon containing compounds. Yard waste, food waste, manure, and woody debris; these organic materials decompose in nature to make healthy soil.

An organic soil substance that contains valuable nutrients.

A substance derived from plant or animal material.

Compounds that are or were once part of a living organism or produced by a living organism.

Soil fraction consisting of live, dead, and decomposed organisms or parts thereof.

The humus or decomposed remains, in the soil, of plants and animals. Organic matter is the food of fungi and bacteria in soil. Soils high in organic matter support large populations of micro-organisms, plants, and invertebrates.

The remains, residues, or waste products of any organism.

Substances of (dead) plant or animal matter, with a carbon-hydrogen structure.

Carbon based molecules derived from plants and animals.

The waste from homes or industry of plant or animal origin. Volatile fraction of solids.

Organic matter is all the decayed/partially decayed plant and animal material in the soil.

substances that come from living things. page top

Any substance derived from plant or animal material.

Plant material, vegetation or agricultural waste used as an energy source. Also called biomass.

Decaying animal and plant remains, such as compost, leaf mold or aged manure, used as a soil conditioner. See also humus.

Substances containing carbon compounds, usually of animal or vegetable origin.

Matter composed of living things or produced by them

decayed plant and animal material that may be used to return nutrients to the ecosystem

Carbonaceous waste contained in plant or animal matter and originating from domestic or industrial sources.

The organic fraction of the soil exclusive of undecayed plant and animal residue.

Dead plant parts or animals. While natural recruitment of organic matter is part of the energy and nutrient cycles of an aquatic ecosystem, decay of excess amounts in water depletes oxygen needed by fish and other aquatic animals. Tops and other debris can sometimes block and divert the flow of streams causing additional erosion.

(in soil)

any material originating from living organisms such as peat moss, compost or manure

Chemical substances of animal or vegetable origin, consisting of hydrocarbons and their derivatives.

Plant and animal material in various stages of decomposition that may be part of the soil.

carbon-containing plant and animal residues.

Contaminants usually derived from living organisms. Leaves and grass, urine, perspiration and other swimmer wastes as well as cosmetics and environmental debris fall under this description.

Plant and animal residues such as leaves, trimmings, and manure in various stages of decomposition.

Residual decomposition of plant or animal content in soil.

A soil component resulting from the decay of plant and animal materials.

most anything living organism, including leaves, bugs, urine, perspiration, cosmetics, etc. containing carbon in their material composition.

Matter derived from organisms, such as plants and animals.

any organic material that is or once was living or was once produced by a living organism.

any molecules containing carbon produced by plants, animals and humans

Contaminants derived from living organisms. Includes leaves, cosmetics, urine, perspiration, bugs, animals, and other bather/environmental debris. Organic compounds containing carbon.

plant and animal residues, or substances made by living organisms. All are based upon carbon compounds.

Plant and animal residue in the soil in various stages of decomposition.

the dead plants, animals and manure converted by earthworms and bacteria into humus

Vegetative material or animal manure, usually used on compost making or mulches

Decomposed material derived from plant or animal sources. An important component of topsoil often added to topdressing soil mixtures to give added water-holding capacity and exchange capacity to the soil.

elements or material containing carbon, a basic component of all living matter.

Is the excessive matter left behind due to fish waste, uneaten foods, and decaying plants.

Debris such as microorganisms, perspiration, urine and pollen that needs to be burned up or “oxidized” regularly to prevent haze, algae and chloramines.

matter which originates from a living source. It may form from plant or animal sources e.g. dead leaves, sewage

Any material that is part of or originated from living organisms. Includes soil organic matter, plant residue, mulch, compost, and other materials.

carbon-containing residues of living (or formerly living) organisms.

Generally refers to the dead or decaying residues of animals and plants in the soil.

Substances consisting of, or derived from, plant or animal matter as opposed to inorganic matter which is derived from rocks, ores, and minerals.

portion of the soil that includes microflora and microfauna (living and dead) and residual decomposition products of plant and animal tissue, any carbon assembly (exclusive of carbonates), large or small, dead or alive, inside soil space, generally consists primarily of humus.

Substances of or derived from plant or animal matter. Organic matter is characterized by its carbon-hydrogen structure.