Dirt on Dirt

Microbes are organisms too small to see with our naked eye. Soil is full of microbes – both good and bad. The main role of microbes in soil is to recycle nutrients, specifically carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur through a process called decomposition. Decomposition is the breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones. Soil microbes play an important role in soil decomposition and soil health. In this activity, learners will examine soil microbes by growing them until the colonies are large enough to see with the naked eye.