Soils

Step 1: Decomposition rates depend on the composition of organic matter in the soil. Sugar decomposes the fastest, followed by chitin, and lignin decomposes the slowest. Nitrogen content also enhances microbial activity, speeding up decomposition.
Step 2: Soil A has 40% lignin (slow to decompose), 0% sugar (fast to decompose), 45% chitin, and 5% nitrogen. The high lignin and low nitrogen suggest a slower decomposition rate.
Step 3: Soil B has 5% lignin, 35% sugar (fast to decompose), 15% chitin, and 45% nitrogen. The high sugar and nitrogen content indicate a faster decomposition rate.
Step 4: Comparing the two, Soil A, with more lignin and less sugar/nitrogen, will decompose more slowly than Soil B, which has more sugar and nitrogen to support faster microbial activity.
Thus, Soil A has a slower rate of decomposition than Soil B.