Decomposition

Introduction

Decomposition is a natural procedure in which a dead organic substance breaks itself down into simple inorganic or organic matter. It is the most popular aspect of our nutrient cycle. Moreover, it is very important to recycle physical substances that take up physical space in the biosphere. The most common matters include simple sugars, carbon dioxide, mineral salts, and water. 

As per taphonomy, the study of the decomposition of the dead, the body goes through numerous processes and stages before getting completely decomposed. The process involves decomposers such as certain worms. Interestingly every living organism has its way of decomposing, but the stages they go through are the same. So let us look into the process and stages of decomposition in this article. 

The Processes of Decomposition

When an organism dies, these are the two factors that trigger the beginning of the decomposition process: 

Autolysis: In this process, the body’s inherent enzymes and chemicals break down the tissues.

Putrefaction: In this process, bacteria has a role in breaking down the tissues.

In putrefaction, compounds like putrescine and cadaverine are released, and decay of animal tissues causes putrid order.

Here fungi or bacteria are the main decomposers. Additionally, suppose the dead body is in contact with mites, insects, or other animals. In that case, bigger scavengers also help in decomposition. 

Some of the important arthropods that are important for the process are as follows: 

• Flash flies
• Carrion Beetles
• Mites
• Blowflies

Different Stages of Decomposition

There are five different stages that a complete decomposition process involves: 

Fresh

In the animals containing the heart, the new decomposition stage begins right after the heart stops beating. 

Once the animal dies, its body tries to match the surrounding temperature by warming or cooling the body temperature. This stage is known as algor mortis. 

After around 3 to 6 hours of death, muscular tissues become rigid. Furthermore, this stage is known as Rigor Mortis. As the blood stops pumping throughout the body, gravity causes the blood to accumulate to the body’s dependent parts. Thus, it starts gaining discolouration in the bluish and purple colours. This stage is known as livor mortis or lividity.

Bloat

When the body enters the bloat stage, it clearly shows that microbial proliferation is working. Anaerobic metabolism begins happening to the body in this stage. Due to this, gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and methane accumulate in the body. 

Also, liquefying tissues and natural liquids tend to get frothy. Hence, such gasses in the bodily cavity results in abdomen distension. Further, it makes the cadaver look bloated.

With the increase in gas pressure in the body, fluids tend to come out through natural orifices. This includes the anus, nose, and mouth. The combination of skin loss of integrity and increased gas pressure, the body can rupture. 

Active Decay

This is the period when the body goes through a significant weight loss. The main causes for active decay are decomposition fluid purging in the atmosphere and too much maggot feeding. 

Then the purging fluid collects in the body’s surroundings and gives rise to CDI ( cadaver decomposition island). At this period, tissue disintegration and liquefaction become more evident than before. Moreover, a strong purging odor starts to come out. When larvae migrate to pupate away from the dead body, it implies the ending of the active decay period. 

Advanced Decay

With the cadaveric material loss, the decomposition process was significantly inhibited at that stage. 

The activities by insects also slow down at this stage. If there is a carcass in the soil, its nearby area shows proof of vegetation death. The surrounding cadaver decomposition island by carcass indicates a boost in the nutrients and carbon values in the soil and a shift in PH values. 

Dry/Remains

At this stage, the process of plant growth resurgence near the surrounding CDI occurs. It is an indication that nutrition values in the soil are not back to their normal level yet. 

The remaining parts of the corpse at this phase only include bones, dried skin, and cartilage. Further, these remains show the tendency to get bleached and dried when coming in contact with elements. After removing each soft tissue from the cadaver, the body is referred to as skeletonized. However, if bone portions are the only ones in the exposure, the body will be called partially skeletonized.

Conclusion

Decomposition is a natural cycle that organisms have to go through once they die. It is a process that works to remove the elements that have no life from occupying the physical space in the system of our biosphere. Here, we discussed each process and stage that a body after death goes through to understand the reasons behind the specific traits of dead organisms.