Choose the correct statements with respect to decomposition from the following:

(A) Decomposition is an anaerobic process.
(B) Decomposition rate of detritus depends upon the chemical nature of it.
(C) Water-soluble organic nutrients go into the soil and get precipitated in the process of leaching.
(D) Humification follows mineralisation.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct option is (B) and (C) only.

Let us analyze each statement step-by-step to understand why statements (B) and (C) are correct, while statements (A) and (D) are incorrect:

Statement (A): "Decomposition is an anaerobic process."
This statement is incorrect. Decomposition is largely an oxygen-requiring (aerobic) process. Microbial activity that breaks down complex organic matter into simpler forms is highly dependent on the availability of oxygen.

Statement (B): "Decomposition rate of detritus depends upon the chemical nature of it."
This statement is correct. The rate of decomposition is highly dependent on the chemical composition of the detritus. For instance, detritus rich in nitrogen and water-soluble substances (like sugars) decomposes much faster, whereas detritus rich in lignin and chitin decomposes at a slower rate.

Statement (C): "Water-soluble organic nutrients go into the soil and get precipitated in the process of leaching."
This statement is correct. Leaching is a critical step in decomposition where water-soluble inorganic and organic nutrients move down into the soil profile with percolating water and precipitate as unavailable salts.

Statement (D): "Humification follows mineralisation."
This statement is incorrect. Humification and mineralization occur concurrently during decomposition in the soil rather than sequentially. In fact, humification leads to the accumulation of humus (which is highly resistant to microbial action), which undergoes extremely slow decomposition to release inorganic nutrients through mineralization. Thus, mineralization is the release of inorganic nutrients from humus, meaning mineralization can be thought of as following or occurring alongside humification, rather than humification following mineralization.

Therefore, only statements (B) and (C) are correct.