Re: Why does salt water help things decompose faster?

Hi Kristen

Many questions that sound simple turn out to be complicated.
That is why it is fun!

Things decompose mainly because of (too small to see) bacteria and other 
microbes that are using the decaying bodies as food to live on.
There are many different bacteria and some like salt and others don't!
Every bacterium will have an ideal chemical soup it likes best to live in 
and on balance salt water is good for keeping microbes away (People used to 
preserve meat, and still do bacon, by salting it).

As there are so MANY microbes, they are fighting one another for the 
available food and space and air (those that LIKE air!). So if the salt 
kills the ones that otherwise would win, then the "weaker" ones win. If 
these happen to be "meat rotting" bacteria, then the meat will rot faster.

Another thing about salt is it makes water conduct electricity. Pure 
water does not conduct electricity, and so many things like batteries, 
our nerves, brains and muscles, and corrosion all work by electricity. So 
what happens when things are dry, or in pure water, can be entirely 
different to what happens when in salt water.

While you are healthy and alive, salt water is good for you (but do not 
drink too much of it!). If you cut yourself at the seaside the salt water 
will help keep infection away. They use salt water (saline solution) in 
hospitals to help people get well.

best wishes
David