In
biology,
detritus is non-living 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, which is referred to as
marine snow.