Compost is made through the controlled microbiological decomposition of organic materials.

Acid rain may suppress microbiological decomposition and nitrification processes, thus influencing the nutrient status of soils.

Phenolics are produced during the coking of coal, the distillation of wood, and the operation of gas works and oil refineries, from human and animal wastes, and from the microbiological decomposition of organic matter (Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channels Study, Management Committee 1988). phytoplankton: