An environmental scientist investigated the rate of decomposition of different types of woodland leaf litter using mesh decay bags placed on the forest floor. The initial mass of both oak leaf litter and pine needle litter was 180 g.
The results of the investigation are shown in the table below.
| Time (days) | Mass of oak leaf litter (g) | Mass of pine needle litter (g) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 180 | 180 |
| 15 | 162 | 171 |
| 30 | 145 | 161 |
| 45 | 128 | 152 |
| 60 | 112 | 144 |
| 75 | 96 | 135 |
| 90 | 81 | 126 |
Calculate the rate of decomposition of the oak leaf litter from 0 to 90 days.
