The decomposition of cotton underwear has unveiled notable differences in soil biological activity throughout Switzerland. Private gardens displayed the most rapid decomposition rates, highlighting the presence of abundant organic matter and active microorganisms. Conversely, lawns showed minimal organism activity, with agricultural fields and meadows falling in a moderate range. This study emphasizes how land use significantly affects underwear breakdown, offering a unique approach to revealing hidden soil ecosystems.

A bizarre experiment used cotton underwear to reveal how active life is beneath the soil

ZURICH, Aug 31 — When 1,000 Swiss volunteers buried more than 2,000 pairs of cotton underwear across the country, they were not simply giving their old briefs a second life —...