Problem: Summarize this including the intext citation. The stagnation in decomposition and ecological processes may be attributed to two main factors: Anoxic Conditions: The lack of decomposers and decomposition could signify an oxygen-depleted, or anoxic, environment. In these conditions, aerobic decomposers like bacteria and fungi cannot survive, resulting in the accumulation of undecomposed organic material. This situation can lead to the death of various life forms, as oxygen is essential for most organisms. The observed rust coloration might be due to iron oxides formed in stagnant water with low oxygen levels (Cohen et al., 2020). Chemical Pollution: The unusual rust color and absence of decay may also indicate chemical pollution, possibly from heavy metals or industrial runoff, which could be toxic to plants and animals. Such pollutants can disrupt normal decomposition processes, causing organic material to remain unchanged. Additionally, if a rat died from poisoning or other environmental toxins, this could explain the unexpected mortality without decomposition (Baker et al., 2019). Need Assignment Help?