No chemicals are used in the decomposition process, just pure natural bacterial action. The bacteria break down dead plant material by slowly oxidizing the plant material into simpler sugars and amino acids, as well as aliphatic acid and phenolic organic acids, which then further break down into microbial humus. This broken-down organic plant material is in a much simpler absorbable form for living plants and, in addition, improves moisture absorption in the soil, which provides capillary water for plant roots. It also improves the cation exchange capacity of the soil, allowing much better absorption of nutrients via plant roots due to chelation. Due to the biochemical nature of Humus, it also regulates the soil pH, in other words, it acts as a buffer that keeps the soil pH within a homeostatic range that plants are most familiar with. Interestingly, compost can hold 80 – 93% of its weight as moisture, which drastically buffers plants from droughts. Organic Compost also adds a significant amount of healthy bacteria that helps your plants assimilate nitrogen on their roots. Organic compost also contains mucilages, which improve aeration in the soil, supporting root health and plant growth.